Press Releases

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following statement celebrating National Charter Schools Week:

“This week, we celebrate the incredible opportunities charter schools provide for students across the nation. Too many students are stuck in bloated, failing schools that don’t meet their needs. Even worse, Democrats and the Biden-Harris administration pushed a wide range of policies with the singular purpose of eliminating charter schools—stripping students of valuable educational opportunities. 

“As students cope with learning loss and test scores decline, it is imperative we do our part as lawmakers to help create more pathways for students to get a great education. As long-time champions of expanding charter school options, my Republican colleagues and I remain steadfast in our work to support charter schools, students, and teachers.”

Charter schools:

• Empower parents to play a more active role in their child’s education. An overwhelming majority of parents and families support more charter school access in their communities. 
• Open doors to innovation. Charter school autonomy encourages teachers to pioneer fresh teaching methods, schools to develop better hiring practices, and educational boards to innovate in budget management. 
• Help students escape underperforming schools. Charter schools far outpace their traditional public-school counterparts in student achievement. Given the glaring achievement gap, underprivileged students stuck in failing school districts need charter schools more than ever.
• Respond to student outcomes. If a charter school fails, it closes. The same cannot be said for traditional public schools. Nationwide, abysmal school performances need a healthy dose of accountability.

###