Testimony to Philadelphia Board of Education on Charter School Funding

Mar 29, 2024

Testimony Presented to the Philadelphia Board of Education
By Priyanka Reyes-Kaura, K-12 Education Policy Director, Children First
March 28, 2024

Good Evening Board Members and Dr. Watlington:

Right now as I speak, there is $284 million of state funding on the line for Philadelphia schools. That’s because our schools are constitutionally underfunded and unable to deliver the outcomes our kids need. This is the year we must demand a change.

Children First will be taking Philadelphia parents and constituents to Harrisburg on four days this Spring to meet with lawmakers about the need to fund our schools: May 8, May 22, June 5, and June 12. We will schedule meetings with lawmakers and provide transportation. Please join us.

I’m here to talk to you about a recent report that the PA Charter Performance Center released called “Philadelphia Charter School Students Not Immune to Consequences of State Underfunding.”

This report analyzes the PSSA results from 2023. The school district received some press for their scores, but what people might not know is that charter schools had similarly low performance because neither school sector has the funds they need. Charter schools serve a higher share of Black and Hispanic students and those from low-income households, so it is imperative that they provide optimal education for these students.

I will briefly review the three main findings from the report:

84% of Philadelphia charter elementary/middle school students failed the Math PSSA’s and 66% failed the ELA PSSA’s.
Philadelphia charter school failure rates for elementary/middle school students are still higher than before the pandemic.
Looking at the number of charter schools in our city where the vast majority of students – at least 4 out of 5 students – failed the test, the numbers are alarming. 38 charter schools failed more than 80% of their students in math, and 15 charter schools failed more than 80% of their students in ELA.

In this room, we all know that every child is capable of succeeding. These numbers are abysmal, and it’s time we tell our lawmakers to finish the job and fund our public schools – traditional and charter.

Priyanka Reyes-Kaura
K-12 Education Policy Director

Attend a Community Budget Meeting

Philadelphia students cannot afford fewer teachers or other support staff. City Council can vote to prevent those cuts. Speak up on behalf of students! Attend one (or more) of the upcoming public events and tell councilmembers, “No cuts to schools!” Sign Up, Show Up, Speak Up because Our Kids Are Worth It. Need help with your testimony? Check out our testimony as well as these talking points. We can also help – reachout to frangyp@childrenfirstpa.org. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Postcards: Print, Sign & Share

These postcards are available for your community group or organization to print and share with your members. Postcards can be dropped off to 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 600 or you can scan and send to info@childrenfirstpa.org. We also have printed postcards available to pick up at our office. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Lower Travel Costs! Options are available.

The Mayor’s proposed tax on ride share companies will protect public schools and ensure students have the resources they deserve. If ride share companies choose to pass these costs directly onto riders, there are options for individuals with disabilities to help lower their travel costs. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.