National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is Proud to Announce a Charter Leader Will Testify Today at Senate Hearing on Improving Secondary Schools

Rich Harrison, of Denver School of Science and Technology, to Address Senate Committee; Live Webcast on publiccharters.org

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to announce that Rich Harrison, middle school director at the Denver School for Science and Technology, will be testifying today before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.  The HELP committee is holding a hearing on Improving America's Secondary Schools.  The Alliance will host a live webcast of the testimony, which will begin at 2 p.m., EDT, and can be viewed at www.publiccharters.org/ncsw10.

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"It is very fitting that a high-performing public charter school like the Denver School for Science and Technology has been invited to testify on this important issue during National Charter Schools Week," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "Schools like this must be enabled to grow and replicate," he added.   

The Denver School of Science and Technology boasts a 100 percent acceptance rate for its students at four-year colleges, and is the only school rated as "distinguished" in Denver.  This school serves a diverse student body in grades 6-12, and provides an outstanding liberal arts high school education, with a science and technology focus. By creating a powerful learning community centered on core values and a shared commitment to academic excellence, this school aims to increase the number of underrepresented students (women, non-white and economically disadvantaged) who attain college degrees. 

Like many excellent charter schools, the Denver School of Science and Technology has embarked on an ambitious growth plan.  "Demand for charter schools continues to grow steadily in many communities," said Smith.  "As our nation looks to dramatically improve the overall education system, current levels of federal charter school funding are not adequate to grow the best models," he added.

As the Senate HELP Committee examines policies to improve the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, adequate federal funding is essential for the replication and expansion of high-quality public charter schools.  The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools calls on Congress to (1) ensure the President's budget request for the charter grants ($310 million) is met, and (2) ensure a portion of funding is authorized again to expand and replicate the best models.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.5 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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