The online learning lawsuit was filed in King County and is linked here. In a news release issued this week by Washington Families for Online Learning, which is linked here, former state Republican lawmaker Gigi Talcott of Lakewood and fellow activists say:
The advocates held a rally at the Capitol steps Monday afternoon, finding their timing was a bit to win much news coverage. Most reporters were following Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s visit to the Capitol or were at the Office of the Secretary of State where critics of same-sex marriage were filing a referendum to repeal Washington’s new gay-marriage law.
Some strong advocates of basic education such as Rep. Kathy Haigh, a Shelton Democrat and chair of the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee, fought to retain funding last year for alternative education programs. The eventual cuts were less than originally proposed.
No word yet from Haigh on the lawsuit.
UPDATE on original 8:57 a.m. post: Rep. Haigh just sent me these comments about the ALE, or alternative learning environments, suit:
We will continue to work through this issue but I suspect the courts will find it as challenging as we have and there are good arguments on both sides of the issue. I will argue for full funding, but I know we are going to have to get more clear about what it is we are paying for and for measurable outcomes just like all the rest of our student must do.
