The Research

Charter schools are a form of private school that are publicly funded but privately run. This means that these schools do not need to follow the state mandated stands are curriculum. “In exchange for exemptions from many of the state laws and regulations that govern traditional public schools, charters are bound to the terms of a contract, or “charter,” that lays out a school’s mission, academic goals, fiscal guidelines.”(Fallan, 2018). This lackadaisical approach to education leaves many students falling through the cracks and the curriculum often hinges on religion and does not have to follow any regulations on transparency of curriculum to the public eye.

Virginia Governor Youngkin has goals to privatize public education and increase charter schools. While on the surface this may seem like a good idea, the funding for these charter schools comes directly from the removal of funding from those who need it the most. “Gov. Youngkin’s budget amendments cut the At-Risk Add-on which would serve 247 of the lowest income communities (over 123,000 students) across the commonwealth from $300 million to $96 million (the current level of funding), while the Charter-Lab $85 million would serve under 1,000 students in year one, and under 1,500 in year two.”( Prothero, 2024)

“The stated goal of the Charter-Labs has been to create innovative career plans and to serve under-served or at-risk students. However, most of the applications piggy back on programs that already exist such as AVID, Dual Enrollment, Coding, and career Health Science courses. Also, the lottery selection process for “at-risk” students is unclear in some of the programs. Thus, they are not innovative and it is unknown if they will serve the targeted populations.” There are many programs that already exist without charter schools that have proven to be successful. This includes the 42,00 students taking Dual enrollment classes in Virgina each year, the 89 AVID site schools which serve 1,700 students in VA, and the countless AP courses in subjects ranging from computer science, to health sciences to early childhood teaching.( Prothero, 2024)

Stance

Charter schools are not picture perfect like they may seem when presented by people who will benefit form them. That being white wealthy influential people who believe they know what’s best for minority groups facing poverty. SAN is dedicated to fighting the fight for the people who deserve it. As a group consisting of such diverse young and passionate students, SAN has the knowledge to speak not in replacement of those in need but speak alongside them. We fight together. Part of that fight includes the opposition to charter schools and the removal of funding to at-risk-students.