Attorney General Miyares Joins Coalition Opposing Proposed Changes to Federal Funding for Charter Schools 

RICHMOND, VA. – Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced he joined 15 other state attorneys general in a letter criticizing the Biden Administration's new regulatory proposal restricting federal grants for public charter schools.  

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, the attorneys general argue two of the proposed changes to the Charter School Program ("CSP”) would decrease the education opportunities for students in areas with underperforming schools. Under a proposed community impact analysis requirement, an applicant trying to open or expand a charter school must demonstrate demand through over-enrollment in local public schools, failing to consider evidence of demand for high quality education due to poor performance rather than over-enrollment. Additionally, a proposed partnership priority unfairly penalizes charter schools who compete with local school districts and gives low-performing public schools a veto over funding for local charter schools.   

Attorney General Miyares said, "No two children are the same so it's important to have educational diversity and options that work best for each student. The success and availability of charter schools in the United States is fundamental to parental rights. Parents know what is best for their children, and charter schools provide families unhappy with the existing local public schools an alternative. Any effort to weaken the charter school system will be damaging to young Americans nationwide who want a different option for education.” 

The attorneys general argue changing the preferences for funds will inevitably decrease the total funding awarded to charter schools that compete with underperforming public schools 

The letter was led by Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor and Attorney General Miyares was joined by Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. 

Read the full letter HERE

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