Charter advocates tell subcommittee federal Charter Schools Program helps startups but cannot substitute for state policy

Starley Coleman, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, told the subcommittee that public charter enrollment continues to grow and that the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) serves as an important catalyst for new charter campuses.

Coleman said the CSP provides startup funding until state funding follows students to campuses and described recent CSP grants that enabled charter development in Idaho, Texas and Alabama, including schools led by retired military leaders and the Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School in Bessemer. “The CSP is the way for you to show parents in all states and communities, red and blue, urban and not, that you are listening and investing federal funds in programs they want and that work,” Coleman said.

Coleman and several members urged more planning‑grant support to ease the cost and administrative burden of opening new charter schools, noting the time and expense required of educators to prepare applications. Representative Lehi highlighted a Northeast Louisiana charter for autistic students that took more than two years of planning and said planning grants would help reduce burdens on educators who want to found new schools.

Witnesses also cautioned that federal funding cannot substitute for sound state and local policy. Coleman said that federal dollars “won't overcome bad policy or practices at the state and local level,” but that federal funding can incentivize reforms and support proven strategies.

No policy was enacted at the hearing; members discussed possible legislative changes to the CSP and support for planning grants during appropriations and authorization deliberations.