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NCSC Capitol Rally Supports GA Charter Schools
Several bus loads of charter school leaders, educators, advocates and supporters from across the nation huddled under umbrellas and rainy skies at the Georgia State Capitol building June 23 to rally against the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision to declare the Georgia Charter Schools Commission unconstitutional and challenge the legislature to correct the ruling. The protest was the concluding event of the National Charter Schools Conference in Atlanta.
Although a steady drizzle may have kept the crowd smaller than anticipated, the weather did not dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of those in attendance. Participants held protest signs and cheered loudly in agreement as speakers decried the Court’s decision and implored the citizens of Georgia and the national charter school community to take action and provide support.
Peter Groff, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) promised the crowd the NAPCS would continue to work with the Georgia Charter Schools Association and local policy makers toward a resolution. The NAPCS favors an amendment to Georgia’s constitution that would restore the state commission and protect authorizing autonomy and local funding from being controlled by local districts.
Groff said the Georgia ruling should be considered a national issue and called on the greater charter school community to provide support and keep the Georgia situation in mind when dealing with its own local policies.
In addition to Groff, speakers included Georgia Charter Schools Association CEO Tony Roberts, state representative Alisha Morgan, school choice advocate Howard Fuller and student representatives from two schools affected by the ruling.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress,” Fuller said. “The world of injustice will endure as long as we allow them to endure. We must stand up and we must fight. This is not a time for scared, weak-kneed, excuse-making people. We need people with backbone who will stand unequivocally and unapologetically with our children.”
Please access our image gallery for highlights from the charter school rally, including quotes from each of the speakers.
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The December 2011 issue of CSI examines the impact of blended learning, including 10 reasons why it is a smart strategy for charter schools and insight from Carpe Diem Schools and Rocketship Education. Additional stories focus on crisis management and securing philanthropic funding.