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What They’re Saying: Education Stakeholders Express Support for Bipartisan Charter School Bill
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education and community leaders are voicing support for the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 10), bipartisan legislation to support charter school growth that is expected to be considered in the House later this week. Stakeholders praise the legislation for bolstering local charter school initiatives, aiding the expansion and replication of quality charter school models, and improving charter school accessibility for some of the country’s most disadvantaged students:
“Our nation’s capacity to develop a skilled, prepared workforce is inextricably linked to the quality of our education system. Innovations, such as charter schools, play a critical role in efforts to improve education and give more of our nation’s children access to the opportunities they deserve…we thank you for introducing this important legislation.” – Business Roundtable
“Charter school students are outperforming their peers in traditional public schools and are closing the achievement gap…Chiefs for Change is, therefore, pleased that the Success and Opportunity through Quality charter Schools Act would reauthorize the CSP [Charter School Program] to improve federal support for the start-up, replication, and expansion of high-quality charter schools.” – Chiefs for Change
“This bipartisan bill would reauthorize and update the federal Charter School Program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help prepare students to better compete and contribute to our global economy through innovative public school settings.” – Council of Chief State School Officers
“This bipartisan bill…will strengthen public education by supporting the growth of high-quality public charter schools and increasing the educational opportunities for all students…Charter schools are showing us that it is possible for all students – regardless of their backgrounds – to achieve at high levels and be prepared for college and life.” – National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
“The federal [Charter School Program] is a primary driver for growth in the sector, but more importantly, it is a primary lever for improved quality. Growth without quality is not our objective. Quality is our objective and [H.R. 10] contains strong provisions to promote quality and accountability among charter schools.” – National Association of Charter School Authorizers
“The National Council of La Raza, the nation’s largest Hispanic Advocacy organization… applaud[s] your bipartisan introduction of the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R.10). This bill is an overdue step toward strengthening and modernizing the federal charter schools program and will have a positive impact on a vast number of Latino school children and their families across the country.” – National Council of La Raza
“Charter schools remain an important education reform tool for our nation’s children, especially for low-income students and students of color, and this bill will strengthen their impact…We want to thank the committee for taking measures to improve charter school quality, strengthen access and outcomes for English learners and students with disabilities at charter schools, and ensure parents have the information they need to make the best educational decision for their children.” – The Education Trust
“H.R. 10 would help to further promote state and local efforts to develop and expand charter schools…support the replication and expansion of successful charter models; support the sharing of best practices between public charter schools and traditional public schools; and encourage charter schools to reach out to special populations, including at-risk students, students with disabilities, and English learners.” – U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Visit edworkforce.house.gov/QualityCharters to read additional letters of support from stakeholders and learn more about how the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act will help strengthen America’s education system.
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