ARCHIVES OF THE MAYOR'S WEEKLY COLUMN Archives of Rudolph W. Giuliani

Helping the Charter School Movement Fulfill its Promise
By Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Last October, I was very proud to announce that New York City was taking the lead in encouraging the growth of charter schools by instituting the first and most generous local charter school grant fund in the nation.

Last Monday, I visited the Community Partnership Charter School in Brooklyn to announce the results of these grant awards. Fourteen charter schools in our city - at least one in each borough -- have been selected to receive generous cash awards totaling $3.42 million.

Each school will receive a grant of up to $250,000 to meet a variety of needs that range from getting valuable assistance in purchasing or leasing school buildings to upgrading their facilities-including libraries, science labs and computer rooms -- or purchasing much-needed equipment.

All in all, the 14 charter schools citywide receiving these awards will be in a much better position to compete with district-run schools, offering parents high-quality educational alternatives for their children.

Why did we create this fund? For all of its many strengths, the New York State Charter Law does not provide funding for building maintenance and equipment. And the per-student operating funds that charter schools receive are much less than what district-run schools receive. New York City's public schools currently have access to a record $12 billion in annual operating funds, which translates to $9,820 per pupil. But students in charter schools only receive two-thirds that amount -- $6,630 per pupil on average.

That's not right. Charter schools shouldn't be given particular privileges, but neither should they be specifically disadvantaged. We ought to be going out of our way to see that those who are granted charters have every opportunity to succeed. And that's what we're doing.

New York City is lending a hand because I believe what we are seeing in the charter school movement is something truly heroic. Educators and local communities who are fed up with the inefficiencies, illogic and excuses of the Board of Education bureaucracy are stepping out on their own to provide exciting educational opportunities to their children.

Alternatives to the local district-run public schools should not be open only to the sons and daughters of the wealthy. Equality of educational opportunity is a right, and that is what these charter schools are providing. I am proud to be lending the City's support to their effort.

The schools will receive an additional 10% of the grant total if they meet the performance goals they have agreed upon in conjunction with the fund. And if they fail to meet these standards, they will be docked the equivalent of 10% of their award. In other words, there is accountability built into this process and incentives for success.

These grants will help ensure that students in New York City charter schools are not denied access to the same facilities and equipment available to students in public schools, and will thereby help the charter school movement fulfill its promise.