National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Hosts Rally at Georgia State Capitol Building

Hundreds of Supporters Convene to Oppose the Georgia Supreme Court Decision to Dismantle State Entity that Oversees 16 High-Performing Public Charter Schools

ATLANTA, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS), in conjunction with the Georgia Charter Schools Association today hosted a rally on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol Building to demonstrate their opposition to a recent Georgia Supreme Court decision that declared the Georgia Charter Schools Commission unconstitutional.

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"Public school charter schools help families because they bring a community of parents, teachers and students together to do whatever it takes to bring children to higher levels of academic achievement," said Peter C. Groff, president and CEO, NAPCS. "Charter schools are already working to bring unique, high-performing schools to Georgia families who want them and deserve them. The recent ruling by the Supreme Court is unfortunate because it makes it more difficult for these high-performing schools to reach families, but it won't stop Georgia parents from demanding more high-quality public charter school options."

On Monday, June 13, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to reconsider its May 16 decision to declare the Georgia Charter Schools Commission unconstitutional, casting doubt on the futures of the 16 schools approved by the Commission and the more than 16,000 students they serve. Read the profiles of the approved GCSC charter schools here: http://gcsc.georgia.gov/00/channel_createdate/0,2095,164887540_165245121,00.html.

"The majority of the Georgia Supreme Court has just found 16,000 innocent children in Georgia guilty of choosing a better education. And even worse, the justices have sentenced them, in many cases, to failing or inadequate schools," said Tony Roberts, president, Georgia Charter Schools Association. "Georgia, which ranks among the lowest in the nation for K-12 education, in terms of achievement and graduation rates, has been robbed of one of the most important components of its Race To The Top. We, who believe parents exert the most local control of their children's education, encourage Governor Deal, members of the Legislature, and all citizens of Georgia to correct this travesty of justice by all means possible."

At the conclusion of this year's National Charter Schools Conference, attendees boarded buses from the Georgia World Congress Center and convened at the steps of the Georgia World Congress Center at 11:00 a.m. EDT to hear from education reform leaders.

Featured speakers included nationally acclaimed school choice advocate Dr. Howard Fuller,  National Alliance for Public Charter Schools President and CEO Peter Groff, Georgia House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton), Georgia Rep. Alisha Morgan (D-Austell), Ivy Preparatory Academy Head of School Nina Gilbert and Tony Roberts.

The Georgia Charter Schools Commission is a state-level, independent public charter school authorizing entity. The Commission has the power to approve or deny petitions filed by charter school operators to open schools, and the power to renew or revoke school charters based upon key factors including student achievement and operational performance. The Commission has approved 16 public charter schools since its inception in 2009. The Commission is the only statewide authorizing entity created with the sole purpose of overseeing and administering Georgia public charter schools, a paradigm that could significantly increase the growth of the state's public charter sector for families and students who desire high-quality public education options. 

The theme for this year's NAPCS conference is "Because Every Child Can Succeed." A complete overview of the week's activities can be found at www.nationalcharterconference.org.

About the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools:
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. NAPCS 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. NAPCS represents more than 1.8 million students enrolled in more than 5,000 charter schools across 40 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools