National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Celebrates National Charter Schools Week and Salutes 'Champions'

Four Leaders to be Honored, and Recent Poll Shows Greater Understanding Leads to Greater Support of Charters

WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will kick off National Charter Schools Week on May 2, hosting activities with charter leaders and supporters throughout the nation.  Among the events, the annual Champions for Charters award reception will take place on May 4 in the Capitol Visitors Center, Room 215.  

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100428/DC95221LOGO)

This week of advocacy and public awareness is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of charter schools and how they operate.  Results of a recent poll of 1,200 Americans, commissioned by the Alliance, show educating people about charter schools significantly increases support.  When respondents were given additional information about the characteristics of these unique public schools, more than 75 percent favored expansion of charter schools.

"The more the public knows, the more they like these schools," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "Charter schools are independent public schools that are free to be more innovative -- and held accountable for improved student achievement."

Each year, Champions for Charters awards are given by the Alliance to recognize public officials for leading a major public charter issue or initiative, serving as a public charter school advocate and consistently supporting charters as a quality public school choice option. This year's recipients are: U.S. Representative Jared Polis (D-CO), Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R), Michigan Senator Wayne Kuipers (R – 30th) and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (D).  Each honoree has supported expansion of public charter schools by creating policies that bring new education options to their communities.

"These policymakers have shown commitment to improving public education by supporting high-quality charter schools that bring new choices to families looking to give their children the best," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "The Alliance is proud to recognize these public servants for the work they've done to improve public education."  

Throughout the week, the Alliance will be hosting more than 70 charter school advocates representing 32 states.

About the Honorees:

• U.S. Representative Jared Polis (D- CO – 2nd ) introduced the bipartisan All Students Achieving through Reform Act (All- STAR), H.R. 4330, to support the expansion and replication of high-quality public charter schools that close the achievement gap. It is a key proposal and recognized as the most important piece of federal charter school legislation proposed since the original Charter Schools Program in 1994. Throughout his public service, Rep. Polis, who founded and served as superintendent of charter schools serving at-risk students, has worked hard to ensure that public charter schools are treated fairly and have equal access to education dollars.
• Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R)  advanced legislation to remove the state cap on charter school growth, improve charter school funding equity and strengthen charter school authorizing practices. Each of these elements supports a policy environment in which charter schools can thrive.  Governor Jindal is also responsible for many of the groundbreaking education reform efforts in New Orleans – where charters serve a higher percentage of public school students than anywhere else in the nation with 57 percent of public school students in charter schools.    
• Michigan State Senator Wayne Kuipers (R – 30th) led an effort to lift Michigan's cap on charter schools and was instrumental in building bipartisan support of charter schools in December 2009.  His support and leadership has led to countless new public education opportunities for children throughout the state.  
• St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) is a vocal advocate for increasing the presence of high-quality public charter schools in St. Louis.  His work to attract high-quality charter operators to St. Louis – and support them during the application development and approval process – is a national example of how mayors can work directly to improve their city's public education offerings.  

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (Alliance) 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 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools