National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Issues a Statement on Yesterday's Passage of the Amendment to Cut Education Funding

WASHINGTON, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released the following statement on yesterday's passage of the Amendment to the House Supplemental Appropriations bill cutting education reform funding:

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"We disagree strongly with the cuts to the Race to the Top program, Teacher Incentive Fund and Charter Schools Program adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives in the supplemental appropriations bill designed to support a new education jobs fund.  Already, more than $95 billion was appropriated via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help states and local districts weather this economic storm, with a primary focus on retaining teachers.  The adopted amendment directly targets the limited education reform funds from ARRA and the fiscal year 2010 appropriations process.  The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools urges the United States Senate to stand strong against these education reform cuts and to find alternative offsets for funding this education jobs initiative; education offsets that have been deemed ineffective.

Under the House passed bill, $100 million, or 40 percent of fiscal year 2010 funding, would be cut from the Charter School Programs. This would mean 200 fewer charter schools could start next year, and up to 6,000 charter professionals would lose their jobs or never have the chance to work in a public charter school.

Already an under-funded sector, nationally public charter schools receive 80 cents on the dollar compared to traditional public schools.   According to a recent study issued by Ball Sate University, the average per-pupil funding gap is 19.2 percent or $2,247 --  when compared to traditional public schools in the same state during the 2006-2007 school year.  For a typical 250-student charter school, the funding gap amounts to a nearly $562,000 shortfall every year.  When combined, public charter schools across the nation receive about $2.2 billion dollars less each year than their traditional public school counterparts.  

Public charter schools and education reform are being asked to carry the education offsets in the name of supporting the status quo.  The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools strongly agrees with the Obama Administration's SAP on HR 4899, strongly recommending the education reform funding be restored, and looks forward to working with the President, the Senate and the education community to find offsets that target programs deemed ineffective."

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 1.6 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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