Committee hears testimonies on charter school impact and civil rights protections

The U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss the impact of charter schools on educational equity and student outcomes. The meeting focused on the potential of charter schools to close educational gaps and provide opportunities for millions of children.

The session began with remarks from a committee member advocating for the inclusion of both private and public school choices in the proposed high-quality charter schools act. The member emphasized the urgency of improving educational outcomes in the U.S., highlighting that the bill could benefit up to 6 million children and address the nation's declining performance in global education rankings.

Dr. Genevieve Siegel Hawley, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, presented her testimony, focusing on the persistent inequalities within charter schools. She argued that charter schools, while receiving public funding, often lack adequate civil rights protections, leading to significant disparities in access and quality of education for students of color and those with special needs. Dr. Siegel Hawley outlined several key issues, including racial and socioeconomic segregation in charter schools, which she attributed to both family preferences and the operational choices of the schools themselves.

She proposed four civil rights guardrails to ensure equitable access to charter schools: comprehensive outreach and user-friendly application processes, free transportation to diverse schools, accountability measures for diverse student enrollment, and support services for underrepresented students. Dr. Siegel Hawley concluded that effective regulation and oversight are essential for charter schools to fulfill their intended purpose.

Daryl Cobb, president of the Charter School Growth Fund, followed with his testimony, highlighting the successes of high-performing charter schools. He noted that his organization supports over 1,400 charter schools, serving more than 760,000 students, with a significant portion coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Cobb presented evidence showing that students in charter-rich environments, regardless of their enrollment status, benefit from improved educational outcomes.

Cobb emphasized the importance of federal support, particularly through the Charter Schools Program (CSP), which has been crucial for the growth and expansion of charter schools. He urged the committee to continue fostering a supportive policy environment for charter schools, asserting that they contribute positively to the overall educational landscape.

The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer session, where committee members expressed their appreciation for the testimonies and the evidence presented regarding the benefits of charter schools for all students. The discussions underscored the ongoing debate about the role of charter schools in the U.S. education system and the need for balanced policies that promote equity and access for all students.