SAN DIEGO, Feb. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Supported by Assemblymember Blanca
Rubio and school leader Margaret
Fortune, hundreds of registered Democratic charter public
school parents, teachers, students, community activists and
education advocates from across the state, rallied at the
California Democratic Convention today. They rallied to raise
awareness among Democratic Party delegates, candidates and elected
officials on their shared progressive values, shared focus on
social justice and how charter schools are providing a great
education to all students regardless of zip code, income or ability
level.
"There's a lot of misinformation about charter schools being
circulated for the wrong purposes. These are public schools
attempting to serve students in need. A one-size fits all approach
to education doesn't work for my kid. What I want, as a parent, is
to exercise my right to enroll my child in a great public school,"
said Lisette Duarte, parent of
student attending eCals charter public high school in Glassell
Park.
California's charter public
schools offer a different approach to public education – one that
is as creative as the kids of California, one that puts kids above
bureaucracy.
Since their creation 25 years ago by the state legislature,
charter public schools have utilized their creative ingenuity and
learning flexibility to help close the achievement and opportunity
gap in communities across California. Publicly available data indicates
that charter public schools suspend California Latino and African
American charter public school students 50 percent less than
traditional schools. Additionally, these students are more likely
to be prepared for, apply to and attend college and are twice as
likely to attend California's
highest performing schools.
"Everything my party stands for including free public education,
public transparency and high standards of accountability are the
hallmarks of charter public schools, yet there are simply not
enough party members representing our experiences and opinions
about the value charters bring to public education in any of the
platforms or debates here at the convention. Where's the
inclusion?" said Shakira Dupa,
parent of charter school student attending Aspire College Academy
in the Oakland area.
"Charter schools are an important part of strengthening
California's public school system.
They offer more kids an opportunity for a great public education at
schools that put their needs first," said said Roxanne
Nazario, parent whose child attends Stetson Avenue Charter Public
School in the Los Angeles
area.
"Party leaders can't ignore the data and the desires of parents.
We are here today to raise our voices and talk about education and
the way it impacts our kids and communities."
The charter school community is ready to collaborate to build a
better California by embracing
schools that are committed to closing the achievement gap,
protecting our most vulnerable and delivering the best education
for students.
About California Charter Schools Association (CCSA)
Families
CCSA Families' vision is to ensure all families in
California have high quality
public schools to choose from in their neighborhoods. Our mission
is to create the pathway for high quality public schools to exist
and thrive by demonstrating the needs in families, and advocate for
policies that promote learning, facilities equity, and options. For
more information, please visit our website at
www.ccsafamilies.org.
Media Contact:
Caity Heim, California Charter
Schools Association
530-304-1242
cHeim@ccsa.org
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SOURCE California Charter Schools Association