Charter Schools Make Presence Felt In Albany But Are Shy About Details

As the United Federation of Teachers bused supporters to its lobbying day in the state capital last week, they were greeted by a sea of thousands of red-clad charter-school students and staffers who also rode in on a “civic field trip”

The March 4 rally, organized by Families for Excellent Schools, came as the State Legislature continued to weigh a series of education proposals by Governor Cuomo that would allow 100 more charter schools in the state, give students from struggling schools a higher position in charter lotteries, and increase per-pupil financial assistance for students. He has offered $1.1 billion in additional state aid to schools statewide if legislators pass his policies; otherwise he would agree to only $377 million.