#United States #New York #charter schools #Carol Burris #NCCSA

Charter School Sector Faces Stagnation Amid Federal Funding

In a stark revelation, a recent report titled "Charter School Reckoning: Decline, Disillusionment, and Cost" has shed light on the ongoing struggles within the charter school sector. Published by the National Center for Charter School Accountability (NCCSA), this first part of a three-part series explores the stagnation and closures affecting charter schools even after years of increased federal investment.

For years, the charter school sector was hailed as a significant part of the educational landscape, promising innovation and diversified educational options. However, the report counters this narrative by presenting sobering findings about the system’s current state. The data reveals that in the initial half of 2025 alone, fifty charter schools announced their closures, many of which occurred without prior notice. This adds to an alarming figure of 218 schools that either shut down or failed to open between 2022 and 2024.

Despite what seemed like a crisis brewing for the charter movement, federal funding has exploded to an annual $500 million. Unfortunately, a significant portion of this funding has benefited schools that ultimately did not succeed, misallocated their resources, or failed to open at all. Strikingly, out of the fifty closures reported, nearly half had collectively received $102 million from the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP).

Carol Burris, Executive Director of NCCSA, emphasized, “It is no longer credible to claim that demand is surging.” Her statement encapsulated the essence of the report, highlighting that the unprecedented levels of under-enrollment have become a critical driver of charter school failures. The report calls for reassessment of how taxpayer dollars are utilized in funding educational models that are not accountable to families and evade necessary oversight.

The financial trends within the charter school sector are equally troubling. The report delves into the misuse of funds by larger charter entities. For instance, Commonwealth Charter Academy, which is recognized as the largest K-12 charter school in the United States, reportedly spent nearly $9 million on advertising efforts. Yet, alarmingly, only about 11% of its students had demonstrated proficiency in English, and under 5% in mathematics. Another notable example is Highlands Community Charter School, which was discovered to have fraudulently claimed over $180 million in public funds according to state auditor findings.

Moreover, the NCCSA report reveals that around 13% of charter schools serve fewer than 100 students, with more than fifty schools enrolling less than a dozen students; these figures further indicate a lack of viability within the current charter system. As Diane Ravitch, President of the Network for Public Education, stated, "The original promise of charter schools has been hijacked by for-profit interests and lax oversight." Her remarks underscore the urgent need for a reevaluation of how public education funding operates, emphasizing the importance of investing in accountable, transparent, and equitable public school systems.

Looking ahead, the NCCSA is poised to release Part II of its "Charter School Reckoning" series in the Fall of 2025, aiming to continuously scrutinize the evolving landscape of charter schools in America. This report is crucial not only for policymakers but also for parents, educators, and stakeholders involved in the broader educational system. The revelations challenge long-held assumptions about the effectiveness and efficiency of charter schools, raising significant questions about their role in the educational framework and whether they truly serve the interests of students and communities.

In conclusion, as the charter school sector faces increasing scrutiny amidst declining enrollment and soaring failures, it has become evident that significant changes are warranted to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer funds and the delivery of quality education to all students.