Washington, D.C. The Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee today recommended a $25 million increase to the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). National Alliance President and CEO Nina Rees has released the following statement in response to the Subcommittee’s action:
“Today the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee demonstrated continued support for public charter schools by recommending a $25 million increase to the Charter Schools Program (CSP). This increase would bring total funding for Fiscal Year 2018 to $367 million. This critical funding would allow more high-quality charter schools to open, expand, and replicate giving more students access to great school options and high standards that can help set them up for lifetimes of success. We are grateful to Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray for their continued support.
“However, we urge Congress to lift the FY 2018 budget cap on non-defense discretionary spending. With a higher cap, Congress could meet the goal of $500 million in CSP funding for FY 2018 and provide funding for other crucial programs on which many of our students, their families and communities depend.
“We look forward to additional progress in meeting American families’ demands for high-quality, high-standards charter schools as the appropriation process moves forward.”
