National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Applauds President’s FY2009 Budget Request for Public Charter School Programs

To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Jessica Schwartz Hahn, +1-703-478-0658, +1-571-239- 3260, Jessica@peithocom.com, for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools hailed the President’s FY2009 budget proposal, released this morning, for bringing federal funding in line with the growing demand for effective new public schools. The budget proposal includes a $25 million increase for the Federal Public Charter Schools Grants, which suffered a disproportionate 16% reduction in the FY2008 omnibus appropriations act, and a request for restoration of funding to the Credit Enhancement Program. This increase brings total federal public charter schools funding to $273 million.

Federal funding for the public charter schools programs had not increased substantially since 2001. Even with almost 2,000 new schools opening in that time, federal funding has not kept pace with demand.

With over 365,000 children on charter school waiting lists nationally, and with the rising costs of opening and operating charters, it is vital that the federal government provide adequate resources to meet these education demands, said Nelson Smith, President of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

“This is particularly important because charter schools are so dramatically under funded at the state and local levels,” he added.

The federal public charter schools programs provide support at key points in the development of charter schools: helping cover the extraordinary costs of launching successful charters; disseminating their successful innovations to other public schools; and providing financial incentives to state governments and private lenders that help enable schools to build and renovate facilities. Only 14 states provide any direct aid for public charter school facilities.

Smith said: “We are grateful for the President’s commitment, and look forward to working with Congressional leaders of both parties to expand the supply of high quality public education options – especially for families who need them the most.”

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.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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