![]() Richard Burr’s letter noted that the department turned down his staff’s request to meet. Since they cannot kill us directly, they must resort to attacks on start-up funding.”Īdvocates say the department didn’t consult with them before writing the regulation. “It is clear that they looked around and decided that hewing closely to the wishes of their political patrons in the teachers unions was the way to go. “The Biden administration breaks that tradition,” said James Merriman, CEO of the New York City Charter School Center. Initial reports from states such as Alabama and Massachusetts show growth is continuing.Īt the same time, Democrats have soured on charters in recent years after a long period in which they enjoyed bipartisan support. Last school year, charters saw their largest jump in enrollment in six years - a 7% increase. The debate comes amid a period of change and growth for the charter sector. In a statement to The 74, the department said the “administration recognizes that there is a place for high-quality public charter schools and supports continuing important investments.” Virginia Foxx, ranking member of the House education committee, said in a statement that the “administration is manufacturing authority it doesn’t have to add unworkable requirements to these charter school grants.” On Monday, the department extended the deadline to comment on the rule from Wednesday to next Monday after six senators asked for more time. Nina Rees (National Alliance for Public Charter Schools)Ĭongress has taken note of the backlash. With nearly 65% of charters being single-site schools, Rees added, “these proposed regulations are a direct attack on new schools like this.” ![]() The program is especially important for “aspiring school leaders of color” who might not have financial backing from a foundation, she said. Nina Rees, CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said the funds help launch new charters, which typically don’t receive state and local funding until they begin admitting students. Established charter networks like KIPP and Success Academy Charter Schools are among the grantees. The rule could significantly alter a program that has given a boost to almost 4,100 existing charter schools - roughly 53%, according to the department. “As a Black male who leads a single-site school in Washington D.C., this is extremely concerning,” Long said. new charter schools might not be well-received. And if districts are losing enrollment - as they are in D.C. Department of Education’s proposed rule would give preference to charters that districts view as potential partners and discourage new applications in communities with voluntary integration efforts. ![]() ![]() Schools like Long’s could have a much harder time getting off the ground if the Biden administration’s plans to revamp the $440 million grant program become final. Now with 106 students - 99% of them Black and Latino - the school has leaned on a $1 million grant from the federal Charter Schools Program for new technology, curriculum materials and furniture. Founder Myron Long’s vision for the charter school is to prepare students for both good jobs and community activism.īut first his staff had to respond to the “pandemic’s aftershocks,” including student learning gaps and parents’ loss of work. Social Justice School, located in a diverse northeast Washington neighborhood, opened in August 2020. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |