Charter School Leaders Criticize Teacher Unions
Leaders of New York’s largest charter school network have drawn parallels between teacher union activists and lawmakers to “barricades” that prevent children from accessing quality education.
Eva Moskowitz, the CEO of the 57 School Success Academy, expressed her frustrations while standing at the entrance of a school. She criticized the actions of union leaders and lawmakers, likening their interference to that of former Alabama Governor George Wallace during his infamous stance against desegregation. Moskowitz claimed the charter school faced “ultra-political threats” that hindered progress.
“In New York, local elected officials are deeply connected to efforts like closing schools and creating barriers that block children from entering educational facilities,” Moskowitz stated during her testimony to a House Subcommittee on May 14.
She referenced the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which deemed racially separated schools unconstitutional.
“I’ve encountered a situation where union operatives are obstructing access to schools for children. It’s an unfortunate and toxic debate,” Moskowitz shared with the committee members.
Moskowitz recalled a protest by the United Federation of Teachers outside Harlem Success Academy 2 in 2009, tying it to negative experiences in her career, including an episode from her book “Eva Moskowitz’s Education.”
Her testimony brought to mind Wallace’s infamous moment in 1963 when he stood in front of the University of Alabama to prevent the enrollment of two Black students in segregated classes.
Dealing with a government that is Democrat-controlled in New York presents its own set of challenges, she remarked.
Panel chair and charter school supporter Kevin Kiley (R-Ca.) questioned Moskowitz about whether Albany lawmakers supported the charter schools given the impressive performance of their students in mathematics and reading assessments.
However, Moskowitz called for collaboration, pointing out the long-standing battle with traditional public schools and the difficulties imposed by teachers’ unions.
In 2023, a lawsuit was filed by the union in Brooklyn and Queens seeking to prevent joint residence at Success Academy Charter School.
Charter schools have become a divisive issue, with Republicans generally advocating for school choice, while many Democrats align with influential teacher unions.
Moskowitz pointed out that the reaction from teacher unions and lawmakers felt like a politically charged threat, particularly in light of the evidence that disadvantaged and minority students excel in her academies.
“There’s a problem with the distribution system,” she noted.
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a leading Democrat on the Board of Education, acknowledged both the advantages and disadvantages of charter schools.
“At their best, they provide innovation, flexibility, and responsiveness to community needs,” Bonamici remarked. “But at their worst, they can lack proper oversight and transparency, which traditional public schools uphold.”
Moskowitz asserted that 100% of graduates from the Academy of Success high school have enrolled in four-year universities over the past eight years. Additionally, 95% of students have taken at least one advanced placement course and passed.
“Our secret to success lies in creating an engaging learning environment filled with exceptional teacher training and educational programs,” she explained.
Moskowitz advocated for new legislation to support high-quality charter schools, which includes a proposed tax credit for charitable contributions to non-profit charter organizations.
While the House GOP excluded tax cuts for publicly funded charter schools from a recent bill, Kiley pledged to push for these provisions in the final version.
House Republican Speaker Elise Stefanik emphasized the need for New York children to have school choice, criticizing the current Democrat administration for its stance against it. She pointed out that despite substantial spending per student, New York schools continue to face significant absenteeism and failures.
“Now is the time to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Stefanik stated.
The Teachers Union has yet to respond to these developments.
