WASHINGTON D.C. – Yesterday, the Governor of California announced an agreement had been reached on AB 1505 that produces an extensive overhaul of the California Charter Schools Act. This overhaul provides improved accountability measures while protecting core elements of a strong charter school law, including the preservation of charter school appeals to county boards of education and the State Board of Education, streamlined renewal for high-quality charter schools that have demonstrated success in closing the achievement gap, and balancing consideration of the academic needs of students against fiscal impact considerations for new petitions.
“Through the determined advocacy of public charter school parents, teachers, and leaders, the most extreme proposals in the original version of AB 1505 were effectively pushed back,” said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “The agreement on AB 1505 recognizes the strength of the existing charter school sector in California. It also demonstrates that public school advocates can find solutions together when they are focused on ensuring that there are more opportunities for all students to access high-quality public schools regardless of the model. We commend all parties for having meaningful dialogue and ensuring student needs were put first. California parents, teachers, leaders, and public education advocates can now focus on working together to deliver on the promise of high-quality public schools for all students regardless of educational need, zip code, race, or income.”
Read Governor Newsom’s statement here.
Read the California Charter School Association’s statement here.
