National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Invited to Testify Before House Committee on Education about Quality Charter Schools and the All-Star Act

Board Chairman Caprice Young to Represent the Alliance on February 24

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to announce that their board chairman, Caprice Young, will be testifying before the House Committee on Education and Labor at a hearing today. Young will voice her support for quality charter schools, and also for Representative Jared Polis' (D-Colo.) All Students Achieving through Reform (All-STAR) Act, H.R. 4330. The All-STAR Act supports the replication and expansion of high quality charter schools as a critical component of improving public education in America, and is one of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools' top federal legislative priorities.

"The Alliance worked in deep collaboration with Rep. Polis' staff on the development of the All-STAR Act," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "By increasing the capacity of these 'all star' charter schools to serve more students, parents will be afforded new excellent public school options, more children will have the chance to attend some of the best schools, public or private, in America, and new investments will be made in our nation's public education system that will have both immediate and long-term benefits to our country."

Today's legislative hearing will be the first hearing on any Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization proposals in the 111th Congress, signaling strong bi-partisan support for high quality public charter schools. It is also the second Education and Labor hearing on public charter schools this Congress, and shows the Committee's commitment and emphasis on developing the best policies to support quality charter school growth.

"As the committee moves forward with potentially marking up this legislation and considering additional ESEA ideas -- with the goal of reauthorizing the statute -- I know the national charter school movement stands ready to help support an ambitious agenda for reforming and improving our nation's public education system," said Caprice Young, President and CEO of KC Distance Learning and board chairman of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Young previously served as Vice President, Business Development with Knowledge Universe (KU). Prior to joining KU in September 2008, she was President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. Under Caprice's 5-year leadership, the number of charter California schools grew by more than 300 and student enrollment grew by more than 100,000. From 1999 2003, Caprice also served as a member and president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Her career has included leadership roles in business, higher education and government.

About the All Students Achieving Through Reform Act: The All Students Achieving through Reform (All-STAR) Act, H.R. 4330, led by Rep. Jared Polis (D-2nd Colo.), expands our nation's commitment to successful and innovative education programs closing the achievement gaps plaguing America's public schools. The bill creates a new competitive grant program focused on replicating and expanding the most successful charter schools, particularly in areas with large numbers of schools failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). As important, the program will increase the level of accountability for all parties involved in the chartering process, recognizing that increased investments and expectations require increased levels of accountability.

About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools: The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.5 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools