The Seattle Times editorial warns that gaps in Washington state law let many allegations of sexual misconduct by teachers remain out of public view because superintendents need only report to OSPI after completing investigations or terminating staff. InvestigateWest found that about 157 teachers voluntarily surrendered licenses (nearly 45% of those added since 2015), and roughly 160 of 349 cases from 2015–2025 involved sexual misconduct. The paper urges lawmakers to close those loopholes in the 2027 session; OSPI says it will pursue legal changes to increase disclosure while protecting due process.
Seattle Times: Washington Reporting Gaps Let Accused Teachers Avoid Public Scrutiny
Investigation reveals 157 teachers voluntarily surrendered licenses since 2015, keeping disciplinary files out of public records.(iStock)
The Seattle Times editorial board warned Tuesday that gaps in Washington state's reporting laws allow many allegations of sexual misconduct by teachers to remain out of public view. The board says the current system can enable educators to evade public accountability by voluntarily surrendering licenses and resigning before formal reports are filed.
How The Reporting System Works
Under state rules, school district superintendents are not required to report allegations of misconduct to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) until they complete a thorough investigation or decide to terminate a teacher. While many superintendents ask OSPI for guidance earlier in the process, the editorial and the reporting it cites say some educators avoid scrutiny by surrendering their licenses voluntarily.
InvestigateWest Findings
InvestigateWest found that of the 349 teachers added to OSPI’s Disciplinary Action Notices database from 2015–2025 for having a license revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered, about 160 cases — roughly 46% — involved sexual misconduct. The outlet also reported that 157 teachers (nearly 45% of those added since 2015) voluntarily surrendered their licenses.
The report noted these figures could be undercounts because some cases are categorized inconsistently in the database. In Seattle Public Schools specifically, InvestigateWest found that 11 of the 15 educators recorded since 2015 voluntarily surrendered their licenses.
InvestigateWest found 160 of 349 cases in the state database since 2015 involved sexual misconduct, with Seattle schools seeing 11 of 15 educators surrender licenses.
Responses And Next Steps
OSPI, which maintains the state misconduct database, said Washington has "robust systems in place for protecting students from potential educator misconduct" and emphasized that protecting students is paramount. The agency added it will continue to work with the Legislature to strengthen investigation authority and consider legal changes to disclose more information about investigations and findings while respecting due process.
A spokesperson told InvestigateWest that if an educator voluntarily surrenders a license, OSPI is not required by law to open an investigation unless a formal complaint is filed by a superintendent. The Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board and the Washington Education Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Call For Legislative Action
The Seattle Times editorial urged lawmakers to address these reporting gaps during the 2027 legislative session, arguing the current framework can leave students and families without full public accountability when educators face serious allegations.
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