Political Quotes

“Over 40 States now allow for public charter schools, Washington State being the newest. Like other kinds of public schools, we find across the country high-quality public charter schools as well as poorly performing public charter schools. Charter schools are not an answer; they are not a problem. They are an opportunity; they are a way that there can be more flexibility at the site level. Some have extended schooldays; some have a differentiated curriculum than the district; some partner very closely with community nonprofits to provide wraparound services. Before I came to Congress, Mr. Chairman, I had the opportunity to found two charter schools, and I served as superintendent of one. The New America School, which now has five campuses in New Mexico and Colorado, works with new immigrants and English language learners to help them gain proficiency in reading and writing English and getting a high school-level diploma. Many of the students that we recruited to attend our school were not in school before; they worked odd jobs. We had a flexible schedule day or night. We had to provide day care because just under half of our young women who attend that school have children themselves. I also had the opportunity to be a cofounder of the Academy of Urban Learning, which works with homeless youth and youth in transitional housing in Denver, Colorado.…”