Charter Schools Week celebrates three decades of impact through federal program

Millions across the United States are observing National Charter Schools Week, celebrating the role of charter schools in public education. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Charter Schools Program (CSP), a federal initiative supporting new and expanding high-performing charter schools.

"National Charter Schools Week encourages our community to celebrate the many ways charter schools meet the unique needs of millions of students and set them on a path for success," stated Starlee Coleman, President and CEO of The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "This year we are especially excited to celebrate the Charter Schools Program and its profound impact on millions of students over the past 30 years."

The CSP has provided funding to launch and replicate charter schools in 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., leading to 8,150 U.S. charter schools serving 3.7 million students today.

Initially, $6 million in CSP awards were distributed in 1995, sparking innovative educational projects in states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas. These states have seen significant growth in their charter school communities over three decades.

In Arizona, enrollment in charter schools rose by 9% over five years. Arizona's charter school students surpass district peers by 6% in math and 8% in reading. California's 1,312 charter schools serve over 685,000 students with a recent enrollment increase of 9.4%. Students with disabilities at these schools outperform their district counterparts by 4.2%. Texas saw a rapid expansion with a 38.2% enrollment rise over five years; English language learners there outperform district peers by 5.7% in reading.

"When we look ahead to the next 30 years," Coleman remarked, "charter schools are poised to play an even greater role in building an American public education system that meets the needs of students and families." She emphasized increasing flexibility within CSP to ensure resources help students thrive.

Two bipartisan bills before Congress aim to positively impact American students without creating new programs or spending additional funds.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act would provide small grants for pre-charter application support to educators seeking innovative school models for their communities.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act seeks to expand access to resources for suitable school buildings—addressing one of the biggest barriers facing charter school growth.

Senator Michael Bennet from the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions commented: "All students deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and career... National Charter Schools Week is an opportunity to recognize educators and school leaders for their outstanding work."