More than 3,000 charter school teachers yesterday stated their case at a Manhattan rally and press conference that charter schools continue to be viable public school options for hundreds of thousands of students currently attending regular public schools deemed failing by state and federal measures.
The rally came just weeks after a similar rally drew more than 18,000 students, parents and educators in Brooklyn.
The pro-charter Families For Excellent Schools organized both rallies and comes on the heels of a report they conducted that found 478,000 students (90% of color, 89% living in poverty) were trapped in effectively segregated low-performing regular public schools.
“I know I can’t fix education inequality on my own. But when I look out over this crowd, I feel powerful,” said Sibo Wang, a teacher at Success Academy Charter School. “We are teachers from all across this city, and we’re united in one goal: to give every child the education they deserve.”
United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew, who represents regular public school teachers, said if history is a guide, one-third of the teachers at the rally will not be in their charter schools next year.
“I only hope that those teachers who leave their charter schools will maintain their commitment to the city’s children by joining our ranks,” said Mulgrew. “Anyone who hates endless test-prep and draconian disciplinary policies is welcome. You will find you can better serve all children and be taken more seriously as professionals.”
