Eric Paisner, Acting President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, released the following statement regarding the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee’s proposed FY25 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Bill:
“We thank the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee members for recognizing the value and educational opportunity public charter schools provide to families across the nation by putting forth a proposed increase of $10 million to the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). The CSP is the nation’s only source of dedicated federal funding for the creation of high-quality and in-demand public charter schools.
“Given the strong support for charter schools from families, CSP funding helps to meet the growing demand for charter schools and help serve America’s students and families with more high-quality public education options. Charter schools are the only type of public schools that have seen enrollment growth over the past five years.
“We are very grateful for this support and had also hoped to see an increase in Title I funding for schools that serve low-income families. Charter schools are unique public schools that overwhelmingly serve students who are Black, Brown, or from low-income families. The majority of charter school students are Title I students.
“Charter schools will surely benefit from increased funding for the CSP, but our schools would also be negatively impacted by a cut in Title I funding.”
About the Charter Schools Program
At its current funding level of $440 million, the CSP amounts to less than one percent of federal spending on K-12 education. Research has consistently shown that charter schools across the country still receive nearly 30% less per pupil per year in funding than neighboring district-run public schools. For more than 25 years, the CSP has provided states with resources to help ensure every child can access a high-quality public education. It is the backbone for both the public education system and the charter school movement, strengthening their efforts to provide more equitable opportunities for all students. Read the Federal Charter Schools Program: 2024 Impact Report.
