Robert Weygand: “I rise simply to provide a measure of fairness to the distribution of funds under the public charter schools program.…”

“I rise simply to provide a measure of fairness to the distribution of funds under the public charter schools program. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by saying I vigorously support the concept of charter schools, which further public education opportunity for students in the entire country. As Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, I supported and advocated for the passage of Rhode Island's charter school law, a responsible approach to chartering public schools which has spawned in our small State two very successful schools thus far. One such school is the Textron Chamber of Commerce Charter School in the city of Providence, RI. It just received a charter this summer from the Rhode Island Board of Regents. The Textron Chamber of Commerce Academy targets at-risk students and offers these students access to the surrounding professional work community in Providence in after-school jobs. The employees of businesses in which the students are placed serve as professional mentors for these students. These students also receive benefits by attending the charter school. In exchange for agreeing to achieve a 95-percent attendance record, to maintain a minimum average of C in every course of study and behave in a work-appropriate manner in school, the student receives many benefits from the school, including placement in a job with a mentor in preparation for college.”