NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Erin Murphy, 617.557.7324
June 9, 2009
CHAMBER APPLAUDS MAYOR TOM MENINO’S PROPOSAL FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
The Chamber applauds Mayor Menino’s support for increasing the number of charter schools in order to change the status quo in education. The Mayor proposed the creation of “in-district” charter schools in Boston, and said that if such a proposal was not authorized he would support lifting the cap on charter schools. Increasing the number of charter schools has long been supported by the Chamber and the employer community as vital to development of the state’s
workforce.
Charter schools offer new educational opportunities and provide encouragement to parents and educators seeking greater creativity and flexibility. They have also proven to be an effective tool in closing the achievement gap between low-income and minority students and their peers, a critical issue for schools in urban areas throughout the state.
The Chamber will continue to work with the Mayor and legislative leaders in the coming weeks and months to ensure continued support for and expansion of the charter school model.