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| COALITION OF ID CHARTER SCHOOL FAMILIES APPLAUDS SECRETARY DUNCAN FOR SUPPORT OF CHARTERS, CHOICE |
May 29, 2009
Boise, Idaho -- The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families today applauded U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan who this week said that states should embrace charter schools and innovation in education or risk losing out on additional federal support.
Duncan told the Associated Press: "..We want to reward those states that are willing to lead the country where we need to go and are willing to push this reform agenda very, very hard...There are a number of states that are leading this effort, and we want to invest a huge amount of money into them, a minimum of $100 million, probably north of that...And the states that don't have the stomach or the political will, unfortunately, they're going to lose out..."
"Our families were pleased to hear Secretary Duncan wants to direct our hard-earned tax dollars towards educational innovations that work, including charter schools," said Briana LeClaire, president of the coalition. "His comments will further bolster our efforts. And, they prove there's much bipartisan support for expanding public school options for Idaho's families. Our organization stands ready to help make more choices available to the families who want them -- and the children who need them."
LeClaire added that arbitrary caps on enrollment and other obstacles to allowing students to enroll in public charter schools, including public virtual schools, are counterproductive. Instead, LeClaire says, Idaho's leaders should do all they can to ensure Idaho's federal tax dollars are invested in Idaho's children.
Read the full AP article at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iQ72cmvb2846meWCIAJArK1w2HmAD98FJOV00.
The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families was formed in 2004 to promote and advocate for public policy that furthers the advancement of charter schools and the innovations in education they represent. The Coalition works to ensure that every Idaho student has equal access to the option of enrolling in a public charter school whether it offers instruction in a traditional classroom or a virtual setting. For more information, visit www.idchartercoalition.org.
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| Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families PO Box 6236 | Boise, ID 83707-6236 | 877-792-5900 |
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