Every year, lawmakers listening to education special interest groups propose policies that would spell the death of public charter schools in Pennsylvania. Often, lawmakers or bureaucrats propose these destructive and punitive measures without ever listening to the thousands of families they would hurt.

Many of these families are minorities and/or economically disadvantaged. Unable to afford private education, they seek better educational options for their children in public charter schools. Charter families know school choice promotes equality by ensuring all students, regardless of income, have access to quality education.

Why are they trying to take away a child’s only hope for a good education?

Families choose public charter schools for their children for many reasons. Some children were bullied. Some experienced anxiety. Some had physical limitations. Others were unmotivated by the one-size-fits-all education.

However, the outdated 1949 School Code says children must attend the public school to which they are assigned. The Charter School Law changed all that in 1997 by giving families a way to protect their children by enrolling them in a public charter school.

Public charter schools bring innovation to education. Most school districts employ the same teaching methods used 150 years ago. Public charter schools allow educators to find better ways of teaching. They give them the freedom to create a learning program that meets the needs of every student.

Education for the 21st century

Business leaders know they need an educated workforce. However, many businesses realize the limitations of the one-size-fits-all education model at school districts. That is why they support public charter schools, which improve all schools through competition and innovation.

For these reasons, and many more, Pennsylvania’s public charter school families are united to have their voices heard. The message: Don’t take away our children’s future.