Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced a plan to double the amount of charter schools, creating a total of 100,000 seats by 2013.
“Charter schools have paved the way for huge jumps in student achievement,” Bloomberg said. “To build on their success, we need to do two things – create more seats and get them the support they need to thrive.”
The New York City Charter School Center explains, “Charter schools are independently-run public schools created by contract … to meet specific goals for student learning and achievement.”
As part of this expansion, 100 new charter schools would be created. In addition, the Harlem Children’s Zone would be expanded with two additional children’s zones created in Central Brooklyn and the South Bronx.
Other ways in which Bloomberg’s plan will aid or expand charter schools will be by creating a Charter School Real Estate Task Force, raising more money to build new charter schools and partnering with the New York City Housing Authority to find facilities and property that can also be used for the schools.
Another component of Bloomberg’s plan is to reform laws “that hold back charter school growth.” This would include eliminating the New York State law that caps the amount of charter schools, giving independent charactering authority to the chancellor of schools, allowing for pre-K charter school classes and streamlining the renewal process.
Another current law would be modified so that successful charter school boards would be able to run multiple schools.
Bloomberg’s plan also calls for making sure more information about charter schools is given to parents. Bloomberg would accomplish this through a city charter school guide, public awareness campaign and training.
“The more we give these exceptional schools the chance to build on their success and grow, the sooner we can empower both parents and students and give our kids the edge they need to succeed in a hyper-competitive world,” Bloomberg said.
