National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Applauds U.S. Department of Education on Selection of Race to the Top Winners
Delaware and Tennessee win Round One; both took steps to increase charter schools in their states
WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is pleased to seeDelaware and Tennessee named as the two states awarded funding in Round One of the Race to the Top competition. Both have taken steps to remove barriers to charter school expansion, allowing families to have additional choices in public education.
"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has kept his word about setting a 'very high bar' for the competition and sent a strong signal to every state hoping for success in Round Two," said Nelson Smith, president and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. "The message is clear: States that increase support for high-quality public charter schools have an important advantage in the competition."
Both of today's winning states have acted to expand charter schooling as a key component of systemic reform. However, Smith stressed, "Despite their progress, both states have some work to do if public charter schools are to fulfill their potential."
Delaware, which produced the strongest application in Round One, allowed the state's moratorium on the opening of any new charter schools to lapse in June 2009. It is now critical that Delaware make further improvements to its charter law, including creating additional authorizing options, ensuring equitable operational funding and providing equitable access to capital funding and facilities.
Tennessee enacted several improvements to its law in 2009. Among other enhancements, the state partially lifted its cap on charters and now allows low-income students to attend charter schools -- in addition to the original five categories of