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- National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Gains Support To Expand Quality and Accountability of Charter Schools

Posted on: Thursday, 3 November 2005, 12:00 CST

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has received an $800,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help support the organization's efforts to increase awareness, and improve quality and accountability in the charter school movement. 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 the large and diverse charter movement.

"Charter schools play a critical role in providing a high- quality option in public education," said Nelson Smith, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "This investment will allow the Alliance to continue working to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who don't have access to quality public schools."

According to the Urban Institute, nearly one in three public high school students fail to graduate, and close to half of all African- American (44 percent) and Hispanic students (48 percent) leave high school without a diploma. A growing body of research shows that the performance of most charter schools is improving over time, and that gains are particularly strong among disadvantaged students.

Charter schools are public schools that have the freedom to operate with greater independence than traditional public schools. Charter school administrators, teachers and parents work together to make decisions ranging from budgets to staffing to curriculum that best meets the needs of the student. In exchange for the freedom to innovate, charter schools are held accountable for increased student achievement.

In 1992, Minnesota was the first state in the U.S. to allow public charter schools to open. Currently, there are 3,400 public charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than one million students.

In addition, the Alliance is working to raise awareness of public charter schools among families, particularly in urban areas, where many schools are overcrowded and underperforming. According to research released by the Alliance earlier this year, only 45 percent of registered voters familiar with charter schools understand that they are in fact public schools.

"In order to secure the resources and policies that will allow successful charter schools to flourish and serve more students, we must communicate that these high-quality schools are accountable to parents and public officials, and are held to high standards of academic performance," explained Smith. "When families understand charter schools and become strong and vocal supporters, we can reach more parents to let them know about this important education option for their children."

Earlier this year, the Alliance appointed a Taskforce on Quality and Accountability made up of charter leaders from across the country to develop a long-term strategy to strengthen this network of schools and maximize student achievement. Their recommendations- as outlined in the Alliance's publication called, Renewing the Compact -- included ideas for strengthening the charter infrastructure and an examination of the barriers to expanding charters, including inequitable funding and caps that limit the number of new schools.

"These recommendations represent a roadmap for success for the charter school movement," Smith said. "With the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others, we can arrive at our destination-leading millions more children to higher achievement than ever before, and helping all students graduate ready for college and work."

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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ( http:// www.gatesfoundation.org ) works to promote greater equity in four areas: global health, education, public libraries, and support for at-risk families in Washington state and Oregon. The Seattle-based foundation joins local, national, and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is led by Bill Gates's father, William H. Gates, Sr., and Patty Stonesifer.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. Its ultimate goal is to increase the number of high- performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently don't 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. For more information visit http://www.publiccharters.org .

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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