Support Public Charter Schools
The 4,303 public charter schools educating 1.2 million students comprise 3 percent of all public schools in the United States, but they are often short-changed on public funding. Nationally, they receive only 78 percent of what a school district receives per pupil.
Public charter schools have unique traits that increase the likelihood of a successful education for a child, which is why it's important that your state's government adequately funds public charter schools. Charter schools have increased flexibility to adapt to the educational needs of individual children, make timely decisions about developing curriculum, structure the school day and hire teachers who meet the needs of their students.
And best of all, they work. Public charter schools graduate more students with better GPAs for the same amount of money as other public schools, and they graduate students at a rate higher than the state average.
Tell your governor: Support adequate funding for public charter schools!
Dear Governor,
I am writing in support of adequate funding for public charter schools. In FY2009, it is imperative that [Your State Here] provides adequate funding to public charter schools, specifically toward grants and facilities.
As the cost of opening and operating charter schools continues to rise, it is vital the state government's support reflect the environment charter schools are operating in, especially as energy, transportation and general operating expenses continue to rise dramatically.
Funding for public charter schools has been invaluable as the movement has matured from one school nationwide in 1992 to more than 4,300 in 2008. Despite this rapid growth, demand still far exceeds supply. Currently, there are more than 365,000 children on charter school waiting lists nationally.
The state public charter schools programs provide support at key points in the development of charter schools: helping cover the extraordinary costs of launching successful charters; disseminating their successful innovations to other public schools; and providing financial incentives to state governments and private lenders that help enable schools to build and renovate facilities.
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