NYCSA Legislative Call to Action 2023-24

The New York Charter Schools Association (NYCSA) is a non-profit organization that serves the statewide charter community of approximately 360 public charter schools serving 170,000 students.  Public charter schools offer families the opportunity to access high-quality public schools of their choosing, regardless of income level or zip code.  Families can choose from a range of public charter schools that fit their children’s needs and interests as well as their schedules. 

NEW YORK CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION 2023-24 BUDGET PRIORITIES 

FAIR FUNDING FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL EDUCATION 

  • Increase funding for charter schools and expand eligibility for building aid and transportation aid to include charter schools.  Per pupil funding for public charter schools is not equal to the per pupil funding for district schools.  Charter schools are not eligible for Building Aid or Transportation Aid.
  • Provide facility funding for public charter schools outside of New York City that do not receive Building Aid or other facility funding and for the schools in NYC that are not eligible for rental reimbursement.
  • Provide transportation aid for public charter schools. Too often, charter schools step in to provide transportation services, covering district expenses without any reimbursement because public charter schools are not eligible for transportation funding.  

STREAMLINE STATE AID PAYMENTS TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS  

  • Allow charter schools to opt-in to receive school aid directly.  Get funding to schools quickly and efficiently, and ease an administrative burden on districts and charter schools.

EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS 

  • Allow charter school students equal access to programs intended to benefit public school students. Currently, many public education programs that are state authorized and/or funded are open to school districts but prohibit charter school students (My Brother’s Keeper, P-Tech, Smart Transfer Early High School, student mental health support, teacher diversity pipeline, violence prevention, school-based trauma mitigation, pre-K BOCES and more).  

INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE DIVERSITY IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 

  • Remove the limit on the number of charter schools allowed by law to open in New York State. Lifting the cap on charters provides more options for families seeking high-quality schools and increases the opportunities for a diversity of people who want to start schools.
  • Create the Education Equity Fund to provide financial support to people who open and operate charter schools. A goal of the fund should be to attract and support people of color who start schools.