WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, hosted “Chartering Excellence: A Policy Briefing on Charter School Innovation,” an event on how to strengthen access to charter schools, so students can receive the best education that meets their individual needs. This event was supported by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
During the event, Cassidy discussed the continuing decline in student achievement across the nation and the barriers families face in getting their children the best education possible. Cassidy highlighted his legislation to increase educational options and strengthen charter schools, including the Equitable Access to School Facilities Act and the Educational Choice for Children Act.
“I have found that when a mother is motivated by the education of her child...she’s going to make sure that her child has the best opportunity her child has to learn. And yet, we put institutional barriers and barriers and barriers in front of that mother achieving the best for her daughter, for her son,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Now our challenge is how do we remove those barriers...so that child can achieve his or her potential.”
The event also featured Daniella Diana Diaz Harrison, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, who talked about the importance of charter schools in empowering children to succeed, especially those with special learning needs. She also emphasized President Trump’s commitment to support charter schools, including a $60 million increase for the federal Charter Schools Program.
The panelists shared their personal experiences on the power of charter schools in improving children’s lives. Specifically, they discussed how charter schools’ flexibility in curriculum allows them to serve the personalized needs of children and their community. They also spoke about how charter schools not only prepare students for college, but also for successful careers in the workforce. Each panelist highlighted their need for increased flexibility in facility funding, as well as a desire to see less red tape preventing the opening of future facilities.
The panelists included:
Click here to watch Cassidy’s remarks.
Click here to watch the full roundtable.
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