This November, voters once again have the chance to weigh in on whether to set up charter schools in Washington state. Forty-one states currently allow charter schools; Initiative 1240 is the fourth attempt since 1996 to pass a charter school law here. Supporters of charter schools say they will allow for more diversity and flexibility in education. Opponents argue charters lack a record of success and will mean a loss of revenue for public education. We’ll debate Initiative 1240 with Shannon Campion of Stand For Children and Mari Taylor of the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Also this hour, we'll make heads or tails of the revenue and spending claims made in the second presidential debate with Roberton Williams of the Tax Policy Institute. Plus, The Seattle Times jazz writer Paul de Barros joins us to talk about his new biography of jazz musician and public radio host Marian McPartland.