McDonnell for Governor: Statement on Charter School Conference Call by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
- Obama Administration Ties Additional Education Funds to Commitment of States to Charter Schools

FROM THE OFFICE OF MCDONNELL FOR GOVERNOR

June 08, 2009

Contact: Crystal Cameron
\nCrystal.Cameron@bobmcdonnell.com
 (804) 612.9111


FAIRFAX- In a 2pm call today, United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan briefed national reporters on the correlation between states commitment to charter schools and the grant funding they will be eligible to receive from the "Race to the Top" component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.   Total "Race to the Top" funding available to states is $4.35 billion.

The media advisory for today's call noted, "U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will hold a telephone press briefing Monday to discuss how the quality of states' public charter schools will support the ability to compete for grants from the 'Race to the Top' fund, the $4.35 billion program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act designed to help states make substantial gains in student achievement. President Obama and Duncan believe public charter schools are one key strategy to drive innovation, competition, and improvement in America's education system, and they are calling on states to lift charter caps while holding the schools accountable for performance."*

The official press release about the call noted, "President Obama has called upon states to encourage the expansion of charter schools. A network of innovative and high-achieving charter schools can be an important part of a state's school reform effort. However, charter schools are facing significant obstacles to expansion in too many states."*

Speaking about the Obama Administration's commitment to the expansion of charter schools, Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, noted, "Nationally there are about 4600 charter schools serving 1.4 million students.  In Virginia there are only four currently open. It is clear that President Obama and his administration strongly support charter schools, and they are committed to using federal resources to encourage their further expansion within our public education system. Virginia has not been a major part of the national expansion of charter schools to date. As Governor I will say yes to the establishment of more quality charter schools in the Commonwealth in order for all our children to receive the educational opportunities they deserve."

McDonnell continued remarking, "Virginia does not have an official cap on the number of charter schools that can be opened. However, our policies have acted as if there is one.  The opening of new charter schools in Virginia has proven extremely difficult over the past 11 years. As Governor I will ensure that alternative methods of establishing charter schools are put in place, such as allowing the State Board of Education to approve applications. And there will be additional state authority when the school district has schools that are not fully accredited. By doing this we will create more quality charter schools and introduce more choices into Virginia's public education system. I will work with the Obama administration to put Virginia in the vanguard of the charter school movement. I also look forward to working with the administration on other important educational reforms, including establishing performance pay for teachers and principals in Virginia."

*Link: http://www.ed.gov/news/events/advisory.html

*Link: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06082009a.html