ALBANY, N.Y. (October 26, 2022) — In response to Governor Hochul’s statement during the gubernatorial debate on Tuesday that she supports lifting the state’s cap on the expansion of charter schools, public education advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement:
“Now is the moment that New York’s students and families are looking to Governor Kathy Hochul to fulfill her commitment to fully funding New York’s public schools, with the final year of the phase-in of Foundation Aid. The Governor needs to recognize how raising the state’s cap on charter schools will erode the positive impact of that historic action,” said Jasmine Gripper, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education.
“Last year New York City’s charter schools — which educate just 14 percent of students in New York City — siphoned off the vast majority of the city’s overall Foundation Aid increase. Currently New York City is spending over $2 billion each year on charter schools.
“It is irresponsible to raise the cap without first evaluating the impact that action would have on the public school system. Public schools are under attack nationwide and serve the vast majority of children, especially students with special needs. We need a leader who is going to protect public education, a key component of a healthy democracy. Governor Hochul needs to stand up for public education, not dismantle it.”