I am writing to urge you in the strongest possible terms to contact your state senator IMMEDIATELY to oppose lifting the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts. There is no time to waste. Please act NOW and call for your senator to support an amendment that would remove the cap lift from a bill that is about to come to a vote.
S. 2262, "An Act Relative to Bridging Gaps in Education," is scheduled for a vote in the Senate tomorrow - on Wednesday, July 16.
One critical section would hurt our public schools and have a negative impact on students by lifting the charter school cap. The provision would phase in increased levels of district education spending that could be diverted to charter schools from the current limit of 18 percent to 23 percent.
The MTA believes that lifting the cap is divisive and unnecessary and will not benefit students or schools. This issue is diverting time, energy and resources from initiatives to help all students succeed.
Amendment #1, filed by Senators Kenneth Donnelly and Patricia Jehlen, would strike the provisions lifting the charter cap from S. 2262. The MTA strongly supports this amendment.
Please click here NOW to contact your senator and ask him or her to support Amendment #1, or call your state senator at 617.722.2000.
Another section of S. 2262 would establish a new category of schools called Challenge Schools, which would be identified from among the lowest-performing Level 3 schools. The goal is to keep these schools from falling into Level 4 status.
The MTA supports initiatives that involve classroom educators and union representatives in all discussions about how to help all students succeed. If this bill is passed in any form, we will work hard to make sure that the educator voice is heard - and respected.
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