Why This Matters
When life changes, like a school moving or closing, students and families deserve stability, communication, and care. The Washington State Charter School Commission is putting in place policies that make sure your child’s education continues without disruption.
The Notice of Intent (NOI)) form is a non-binding opportunity for organizations
to express early interest in the Continuity Charter process and share high-level information.
Policy Context
On October 9, 2025, the Commission adopted the Continuity in Educational Opportunities Policy in principle, establishing its intent to create a framework for the reassignment of existing charter contracts.
This RFQ is issued in alignment with that policy direction. Final procedures governing review, contract reassignment, and oversight will align with the policy as formally adopted by the Commission. Any reassignment of a charter contract will occur only through formal Commission action in a public meeting and in accordance with RCW 28A.710. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below.
Process Overview
1. Notice of Intent
See below for Notice of Intent form.
Purpose
Required entry point into the RFP process. Signals intent to apply and allows the
Commission to initiate planning and engagement.
What Proposal Teams Submit:
• Proposed school overview
• Mission and educational model
• Initial team members and governance structure
• Proposed grades and enrollment
• Early community engagement
Commission Staff:
• Track and log NOI submissions
• Review eligibility and nonprofit status
• Notify relevant school districts and partners
• Prepare internal proposal review teams
• Coordinate early engagement opportunities, including informational sessions and
concept presentations
Why This Matters
Establishes a clear and consistent starting point for all applicants and enables structured
planning for the review cycle.
2. Executive Summary & Financial Plan
Purpose
Early viability checkpoint prior to full proposal submission.
What Proposal Teams Submit:
• School mission and program overview
• Community need and model design
• Organizational structure
• Facilities plan
• Five-year financial projections
Commission Staff:
• Conduct financial viability review
• Analyze enrollment assumptions and revenue projections
• Identify financial risks and structural gaps
• Facilitate financial working sessions
• Provide written feedback
Why This Matters
Ensures alignment between mission, program design, and financial sustainability before
full application development.
3. Full Proposal Submission
Purpose
Comprehensive submission and engagement phase where Proposal Teams demonstrate
readiness through both written materials and direct interaction with Commission staff.
Proposal Sections:
• People – team capacity and community connection
• Model – mission, design elements, student outcomes
• Execution – operations, governance, facilities, launch
• Financial plan and compliance documentation
Submission and Engagement Process:
Proposal Teams submit a complete RFP application and participate in required Exploratory
Conversations and Informational Concept Presentations as part of the review process.
Through this phase…
Proposal Teams:
• Submit a complete proposal
• Present key elements of their model, team, and implementation approach
• Engage in dialogue and respond to questions
Commission Staff:
• Review submissions for completeness and readiness
• Facilitate structured conversations and presentations
• Ask clarifying and probing questions
• Document key insights to inform evaluation
• Prepare materials for independent review
Important Notes
• Participation in Exploratory Conversations and Informational Concept Presentations
is required
• These interactions are not scored independently
• They contribute to the overall body of evidence used in evaluation
Why This Matters
Ensures that evaluation reflects both the strength of the written proposal and the
demonstrated readiness of the Proposal Team.
4. Exploratory Conversations & Informational Concept Presentations
As part of the Full Proposal phase, Proposal Teams are required to participate in structured
conversations and/or presentations with Commission staff.
Proposal Teams:
• Present key elements of the proposed school model
• Demonstrate team readiness and capacity
• Engage in dialogue and respond to questions
Commission Staff
• Facilitate structured discussions
• Ask clarifying and probing questions
• Assess coherence, readiness, and alignment with expectations
• Document key insights to inform evaluation
Important Notes
• This is a required component of the Full Proposal phase
• This is not a scored standalone evaluation
• It contributes to the overall body of evidence used in review
Why This Matters
Ensures that evaluation is based on both written evidence and demonstrated readiness,
providing a more complete and accurate assessment of each Proposal Team.
5. Evaluation & Review
Purpose
Independent assessment of proposals using standardized criteria.
Evaluation Focus:
• Community need and demand
• Team capacity and leadership
• Educational model quality
• Operational readiness
• Financial sustainability
Commission Staff:
• Manage evaluator teams
• Conduct due diligence
• Facilitate interviews and challenge scenarios
• Compile findings and supporting evidence
• Draft recommendation report
Why This Matters
Ensures a rigorous, transparent, and consistent review process aligned with established
authorizing standards.
6. Legal Certification
Statement of Assurances – Link Here
Purpose
Final certification confirming compliance with legal and governance requirements.
Key Commitments:
• Nonprofit governance structure
• Compliance with state and federal law
• Financial accountability and transparency
• Equitable access for all students
Commission Staff:
• Verify legal documentation
• Confirm governance and nonprofit status
• Finalize recommendation report
• Prepare materials for Commission decision
• Present recommendation
Why This Matters
Confirms readiness to operate within legal and regulatory expectations.
7. Final Decision & Follow-Up
Commission Role:
• Review recommendation
• Vote on proposal approval
Commission Staff:
• Present evaluation findings
• Support Commission deliberation
• Communicate decisions to proposal teams
• Conduct debrief meetings
• Initiate contracting and onboarding for approved operators
Why This Matters
Ensures decisions are evidence-based and followed by clear next steps for all applicants.
The Commission’s Continuing Educational Opportunities & Contract Reassignment
Policy (operationally referred to as Charter Continuity) provides a pathway to reassign
existing charter contracts when a school closes or a contract is surrendered, revoked, or
not renewed.
This approach ensures that:
• Students and families maintain ongoing access to charter public education
• Existing charter authorizations are preserved through reassignment, not newly
created or expanded
• The Commission can act to minimize disruption and sustain opportunity
• Decisions are grounded in equity, community need, and system-level
stewardship
Your Role
-
Stay Informed
- We’ll communicate in the languages families use at home and share information through several channels, including emails, texts, printed notices, and local community meetings. This ensures every family has clear, accessible updates and opportunities to ask questions.
-
Get Involved
- Your feedback plays a central role in every major decision the Commission makes. Whether a school is selecting a new location, adjusting programs, or navigating leadership transitions, your input helps determine the direction and ensures changes support students and families.
-
Hold Us Accountable
- The Commission publishes regular public reports that track family engagement, student stability, and levels of community trust. These reports help families understand how decisions are being made, how students are being supported, and how well schools are meeting their commitments.
Our Promise
Every student deserves a learning journey that is safe, stable, and fully supported. Through these policies, we ensure families are heard, school communities stay strong, and students can continue their education without disruption—even when schools move or change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Because school disruptions can significantly impact students, families, and communities,
Washington State law and recent legislative direction emphasize the importance of
maintaining continuity of educational services and minimizing disruption whenever
possible.
In 2023, through HB 1241 (Chapter 389, Laws of 2023), the Legislature reaffirmed this
commitment, stating that “under no circumstances is a disruption of this nature
acceptable to the many students, families, and staff that were profoundly impacted by
the closure,” and further affirming its intent to ensure that charter public schools in
Washington are successful in serving students.
Consistent with chapter RCW 28A.710, charter schools operate pursuant to a charter
contract that ensures the continued delivery of public education and establishes the
Commission’s responsibility to actively oversee performance, address risk, and take
action to support stability and continuity of access for students.
In alignment with this legislative intent, and the Commission’s Strategic Plan priorities
around equity, access, and accountability, this portfolio allows the Commission to:
• Maintain access to public education, particularly for students and communities
historically underserved
• Minimize disruption and provide greater stability for students, families, and staff
• Ensure strong accountability and oversight, consistent with the Commission’s
role under RCW 28A.710
• Advance equitable outcomes by preserving high-quality school options and
reducing barriers to access
No.
These processes are about continuing existing schools or access, not creating new ones.
• Relocation keeps the same school and operator
• Continuity reassigns an existing charter authorization
The RFQ process is an early, non-evaluative phase where the Commission gathers
information, engages stakeholders, and builds understanding before any formal
application or decision-making process.
It is designed to:
• Inform policy and implementation
• Understand community need and demand
• Assess feasibility and readiness across the field
Participation in the RFQ is strongly encouraged but not required.
The RFQ is not an application and is not part of a decision-making process. Participation
does not guarantee approval or advancement of any proposal.
This process is intended to ensure that any future decisions are informed, transparent, and
grounded in real conditions
The Commission is authorized to gather information, engage stakeholders, and assess
feasibility as part of its role under RCW 28A.710.
The Request for Qualifications allows the Commission to:
• Test assumptions before formal decisions
• Identify risks and implementation challenges early
• Ensure policies are grounded in community voice and field reality
Participation is open to:
• Current and prospective school operators
• Community organizations and partners
• Families and stakeholders
• Any parties interested in supporting student access and continuity
The Commission is seeking to understand:
• Documented need and demand within communities
• Operator capacity and readiness
• Community priorities and concerns
• Opportunities to strengthen equity, access, and outcomes
Information gathered during the RFQ process will:
• Inform final policy development and implementation
• Shape future processes, including any potential application or solicitation
• Support more informed Commission decision-making
If the policy is not ultimately adopted, the pre-engagement process remains valuable.
It helps the Commission:
• Make informed and defensible decisions
• Better understand community needs and system conditions
• Strengthen transparency and public trust
Community voice is a core part of pre-engagement.
You can:
• Participate in meetings or engagement opportunities
• Submit feedback directly to the Commission
• Engage through school or community-led outreach
The Commission is committed to ensuring feedback is heard, considered, and reflected in
its work.
In some cases, instead of a full closure, the Commission may:
Reassign the charter contract to a new, qualified operator
This allows students to continue accessing a charter public school with less disruption.