We May Have Setbacks in Texas, But We Can Fight Charter Schools Federally

As the State Board of Education continues to approve new charter schools and the Texas Legislature abdicates its responsibility to fully fund a free public education, national Democrats are taking action to hold charter schools accountable.

Last month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, introduced the Championing Honest and Responsible Transparency in Education Reform (CHARTER) Act. This legislation would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensure that federal funds available through those acts cannot be awarded to charter schools that enter into contracts with a for-profit entity for operating, overseeing, or managing the schools. This practice of for-profit entities operating charter schools is still allowed in the Texas Education Code.

The CHARTER Act would be phased in, allowing schools to complete their present contracts and have a transition period of three years. Currently, 1 in 5 charter school students attend a school run by a for-profit entity. AFT and our partners at the Network for Public Education have expressed support for congressional Democrats who are leading the way in charter school accountability and putting public schools first.

In her statement supporting the bill, AFT President Randi Weingarten said:

"We believe charters should be held to the same rigorous standards as other public schools by requiring transparency, community involvement, and a commitment to serve all students … Too often, for-profit charters and management companies are set up to evade those standards and hurt existing public schools and the students they serve. This bill would take on reckless profiteers who are trying to replace public schools with for-profit charters and turn them into money making machines. I commend Reps. DeLauro and Bonamici for standing up for fairness and accountability by ensuring that federally funded charter schools serve the interests of students and families, not fly-by-night management entities seeking to divert public money for their own ends."

Texas AFT has signed onto a letter from the Network for Public Education to members of Congress who would be open to co-sponsoring the CHARTER Act. By taking this step to support positive reforms to for-profit charter schools nationwide, we can take steps towards helping fund and support public schools here in Texas.

To speak to your representative or senators about supporting the CHARTER Act, find their contact information here.