Parent-Driven Lawsuit Demands Equity in New York
Charter School Families Take Stand Against Unequal Funding
CER Press Release
Washington, D.C.
September 16, 2014
The Center for Education Reform issued the following statement on the lawsuit filed to establish fairness in New York’s education funding structure for charter school students:
“The seven brave charter school student plaintiffs and their parents deserve applause for taking necessary action to secure equitable resources for a ‘sound basic education,’ as their constitutional right is being violated with charter school students receiving a mere three-fifths of funding that district students receive.
“The current lawsuit alleges that in the Buffalo school system, charter schools receive approximately $13,700 per-pupil, while the traditional school per-pupil allotment is $23,524.
“The ongoing refusal by New York State lawmakers to implement a funding formula that supports both public charter schools and traditional schools equally imposes a substantial financial burden on charters intent on providing students a superior educational experience. As a result, charters struggle to provide even the most basic services such as facilities, hindering them from meeting increased parental demand.
“In New York State, it’s estimated that out of 106,590 students attending charter schools during the 2014-15 school year, 79 percent are low-income. The fact that these funding disparities disproportionately affect low-income students make the inequities that much more abhorrent. Charter schools in New York and across the nation have proven they can do more with less, and it’s time to ensure they are funded fairly to meet demand and serve more students in need of a better educational option.”
