News Summary
New York state lawmakers John Liu and Shelly Mayer are under fire from charter school officials following their call for an investigation into a recent pro-charter school rally. The rally, which featured 15,000 participants advocating for educational rights, has been criticized by the lawmakers for potential violations of state laws and misuse of student resources. Charter advocates defend the rally as a non-partisan civic action, fostering unity among families. The tension highlights deeper divisions regarding charter schools’ role and funding in New York City’s education system, especially with upcoming elections on the horizon.
New York state lawmakers John Liu and Shelly Mayer are facing criticism from charter school officials following their call for an investigation into a pro-charter school rally held on September 18. The rally saw 15,000 parents and students marching across the Brooklyn Bridge in what charter advocates claim was a demonstration for fairness and access to quality education.
Liu and Mayer have raised concerns that the rally may have violated state laws, alleging that charter schools coerced families and staff to attend. The lawmakers labeled the practice of canceling classes for the rally as “an egregious misuse of student time and state funds.” They are urging an investigation to examine potential violations related to the organization of the event.
Representatives from charter schools have defended the rally, stating that it was not a partisan event, but rather a collective civic expression advocating for children’s educational rights. They argued that the event showcased an extraordinary act of unity among families and accused Liu and Mayer of mischaracterizing the rally as a campaign event aimed at undermining educators and parents involved.
As of now, New York City is home to 286 charter schools serving over 150,000 students, accounting for nearly 15% of the city’s publicly funded schools. Charter schools are publicly funded but operated by not-for-profit organizations, often offering longer school days and academic years compared to traditional public schools. In terms of academic performance, charter schools generally outperform neighborhood public schools on standardized tests in both math and English.
In response to the charter schools’ defense, Liu has stated that their arguments reflected “flowery rhetoric” and did not adequately address the concerns he raised regarding coercion and the expenditure of state funds. He emphasized that state lawmakers have not held hearings regarding the shortcomings of public schools while instead targeting successful charter schools.
The rally’s timing coincided with the upcoming general mayoral election on November 4, where frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has voiced opposition to lifting the state charter cap. Participants at the rally expressed dissatisfaction over the inequitable funding discrepancies that exist between charter schools and traditional public schools. Critics have also questioned the political timing of the rally in relation to the election.
Despite the successes of charter schools, supporters note that they receive approximately $12,000 less in funding per student compared to public schools. The United Federation of Teachers has endorsed Mamdani, contending that charter schools do not serve all students equitably.
The ongoing clash between charter school officials and state lawmakers underscores the deep divisions surrounding the role of charter schools in New York City’s educational landscape. With tensions rising, the outcome of the investigation and the upcoming mayoral election could have significant implications for the future of charter schools in the city.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- New York Post
- Google Search: New York Charter Schools
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: Charter Schools in New York
- The Wall Street Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charter School
- ABC 7 NY
- Google News: Charter Schools
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
