For more than five years, New York has shortchanged students in public charter schools. It’s time for this to change, so my daughter can finally get the equal funding she deserves.
Getting my daughter Shaylee into a public charter school was a godsend for my family. Shaylee attended a failing school in our zone for three years before we were able to get her into Girls Prep Bronx – an amazing charter school in our community. And my son, Javian, has been diagnosed with autism. I’m eagerly awaiting the day I can get him into a charter school like his sister’s, where I know that he will get the support he needs.
For thousands of parents like me, who are raising their kids in the Bronx, charter schools are providing the only alternative to failing schools in our community. I chose a public charter school for my daughter because I know that the education she receives there will prepare her for college, and because her school will provide her with a safe and welcoming learning environment. I didn’t choose a charter school to make a political statement – I did it to make sure my daughter gets the education she deserves.
That’s why I am so frustrated that over the last five years, funding for charter school students has fallen further and behind, particularly here in New York City. Over that time period, funding for traditional public school students has grown six times faster than funding for charter school students.
Without adequate funding, charter schools will be forced to cut vital programming. Without adequate funding, Shaylee will miss out on art, music, field trips, and so much more.
As her mom, that breaks my heart. That’s why Governor Cuomo’s proposal to unfreeze the funding formula is so important, and why it’s equally important for the State Legislature to follow suit.
This Wednesday, hundreds of New York City parents travelled to Albany to meet with our elected representatives in the State Senate and Assembly. This isn’t a one day effort – we’re going to continue to meet with our elected leaders, engage our fellow charter school parents, and push for equal funding for our kids. We’re going to stand up, speak out, and make our voices heard until all children receive the equal funding they deserve
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