“On Friday, Montana’s House of Representatives passed The Community Choice Schools Act (HB 562), a bill that will bring innovative public education options to the state via high-quality public charter schools. Montana is one of only five states in the nation without a charter school law.
“Congratulations to Idaho’s legislature and Governor Brad Little for enacting SB 1042 and SB 1043 into law. The two laws will support increased access to funding for facilities, allowing charter schools and leadership to focus more funding in the classroom and on students.
“The President’s budget calls for significant increases in K-12 education – a 13.6% jump from the 2023 enacted level – for a total of $10.8 billion in additional funding. The additional resources for K-12 would help meet critical post-pandemic educational, mental health, and staffing needs.
Access and funding for high-quality school facilities remain a top priority for public charter schools and their advocates during the 2023 state legislative sessions.
Public charter schools are widely known to serve more students of color than district public schools. Nearly 70% of student population in charter schools is comprised of students of color compared to 53% of district public schools.
In 85 meetings with congressional lawmakers and staff today, 52 public charter school leaders of color delivered a message of equity, innovation, and hope in public education.
