This week, we’re headed to Capitol Hill for a briefing on charter schools that is being convened by Senators John Cornyn and Michael Bennet. The agenda will include a discussion of efforts to increase funding for the federal Charter Schools Program and the passage of two charter school bills, The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act (S.1480) and the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act (S.3072). S. 1480 will boost funding and access to facilities while S. 3072 will provide planning grants to those who want to start charter schools.
LEARN MORE: How the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act Supports Equity and Innovation
Here's what you should know:
On October 18, 2023, Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Booker (D-NJ), along with Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Senator Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Scott (R-SC), Sen. Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Braun (R-IN) and Sen. Schatz (D-HI) introducedS.3072, the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act.
The purpose of this bill is to provide more equitable access to pre-planning resources needed to open a school, and tear down barriers for those who need the most help.
The bill will do the following:
Authorize State Entities to use up to 5% of their grant make pre-planning awards.
Raise the cap on the percentage of State Entities grant funds that may be used for State technical assistance and authorizer quality improvement activities from 7% to 10%.
Raise the cap on the percentage that may be used for State administration from 3% to 5%.
Clarify that States’ technical assistance activities may include assistance to charter schools in locating and accessing a facility.
Click hereto read our blog by SVP for Policy, Research, and Planning, Christy Wolfe and dive deeper into this topic.
RSVP Here to a hill briefing and luncheon hosted by Senators Cornyn and Bennet to learn more about this bill and the Equitable Access to School Facilities Act.
View the recordingof the pre-application webinar from the US Department of Education
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ATTEND: Upcoming Events
Join these conferences and activities to connect with fellow charter school advocates!
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