Statement from Bronx School Leaders on New Poll Showing Broad Public Support for Charter Schools Across NYC

STATEMENT FROM BRONX SCHOOL LEADERS ON NEW POLL SHOWING BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS ACROSS NYC

NEW POLLING DATA SHOWS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AMONG DEMOCRATS IN THE BRONX AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE FIVE BOROUGHS

(THE BRONX) – A new report today in POLITICO unveiled a new poll conducted by Students First NY that showed overwhelming support among Democratic voters for public charter schools. According to the poll, in the story, which oversampled Democrats in The Bronx, showed that 80% of likely Democratic voters say that public charter schools are mostly good for their students (including 84% of Black voters, 81% of Latino voters and 85% of likely Democratic voters from the Bronx). The new data showed:

• 69% of likely Democratic voters from the Bronx have a favorable view of public charter schools (Citywide, 54% of likely Democratic voters have a favorable view, including 58% of both Black and Latino primary voters)
• 79% of likely Democratic voters from the Bronx say that we should allow new charter schools to open if parents want them, after hearing an explanation of the current cap on charter schools, (Citywide 70% of voters say that we should allow new charter schools to open if parents want them, including 73% of Black primary voters and 75% of Latino primary voters) 
• 58% of likely Democratic voters from the Bronx say they would be more likely to vote for a mayoral candidate supportive of public charter schools after hearing a message about a pro-charter mayoral candidate. (Citywide 55% of likely Democratic voters would be supportive of a pro-charter mayoral candidate).

“This year has been extraordinarily challenging for everyone, and what this new public opinion data shows is something school leaders in The Bronx have always known to be true: whether district or charter, families in our communities just want access to great public schools – period. So many public charter schools across the city aren’t just achieving outstanding outcomes for students who need it most. They’re anchors of their communities. In this time of historic crisis, all types of schools must work together on behalf of children, and this new polling shows that’s exactly what voters expect,” said Janelle Bradshaw, CEO of Public Prep. 

“A great education is the ticket to a brighter future for children. For years, parents across our communities have sought school options that fit their children’s individual needs. Families simply don’t want one type of school pit against another, and they don’t want to be divided. They just want the best for their children – great classrooms with rigorous curricula, programming that prepares students today for the economy of tomorrow, and teachers and school leaders that reflect their communities. This new data helps tell the story of the real, grassroots public support. When 85% of Bronx voters say our public charter schools are mostly good for students, it shows that our community is embracing and supporting our schools,” said Miriam Raccah, Executive Director of Bronx Charter School for the Arts.

“Why do public charter schools have so much community support among New Yorkers? Because they offer flexibility, unique offerings, and unrelenting dedication to their students. Free, public, and open to all, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. This new data is hopefully another proof point to demonstrate that families across the city know that public charter schools are neighborhood schools that deliver world-class instruction. And despite the hardships of this year, we’ll all continue to do whatever it takes to serve our families and communities well. We’re in this moment together,” said David Noah, Founding Principal of Comp Sci High.

To see the POLITICO story, please click here. To see the new public polling released by Students First New York, please click here.

To schedule an interview with a school leader, please contact Shahamat Uddin at suddin@skdknick.com.