Charter School Officials Respond to Investigative Call from NY Lawmakers

Charter school representatives have criticized two New York state Democrats, claiming they are acting as enforcers for teachers’ unions after the lawmakers called for an investigation into a recent rally. This rally reportedly drew 15,000 parents and students.

Sens. John Liu and Shelley Mayer, the latter being the chair of the committee overseeing New York City schools, sent a letter urging state education officials to look into the event.

In defense of the September 18 rally, which featured participants marching across the Brooklyn Bridge, charter school officials emphasized that it was non-partisan. They highlighted that it represented a fundamental aspect of civic engagement, with families advocating for equitable and quality education.

Liu and Mayer expressed their concerns in a letter to National Education Commissioner Betty Rosa and SUNY Chancellor John King shortly after the rally. They claimed that canceling classes, which compelled families to attend a political demonstration, misused both student time and state resources.

The lawmakers are seeking to determine if the rally, which aimed at increasing the number of charter schools, violated any state laws or guidelines. SUNY is responsible for reviewing and approving charter applications.

In response, charter school operators accused Liu and Mayer of mischaracterizing the event as a campaign rally while disparaging educators and families involved.

They issued a statement asserting that the lawmakers’ letter not only defamed those committed to public service but also undermined the thousands of parents, especially from marginalized communities, who were just exercising their rights.

The charter school sector emphasized that the rally was a demonstration of unity, rather than any kind of misconduct regarding public funding. They criticized the lawmakers for failing to address the struggles faced by many underperforming public schools instead of targeting successful charter institutions.

Currently, there are 286 charter schools in the city, serving over 150,000 students, which accounts for nearly 15% of the publicly funded education system.

Charter schools generally have longer school days and a different structure compared to traditional public schools, with many teachers not being part of unions. Research shows that students from charter schools tend to perform better on state standardized tests in mathematics and English than their counterparts in nearby public schools.

Charter school officials challenged the lawmakers to investigate the underlying issues that restrict families’ choices in education, particularly the charter cap that limits the establishment of new charter schools.

• Rafiq Kalam Id-Din II, Founder and Managing Partner of Ember Charter Schools
• Pastor Alcockfield, Founder and CEO of Ramadore Academy Charter School
• Bishop Raymond Ribera, Founder of Family Life Academy Charter School
• Emily Kim, Founder and CEO of Zeta Charter School

On Wednesday, Liu stood firm in his position regarding the backlash from the charter school advocates. He remarked that while their letter was well-crafted, it failed to address the critical issue of a state-funded class being canceled for an event on a school day.

He went on to justify the call for investigation, citing evidence suggesting enforcement of attendance from staff and families. This rally took place just weeks ahead of the November 4 general election, with Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani advocating for an increase in the charter school cap.