Coleman: Creating Great School Options Isn’t Just A Priority — It’s Our Mission To The Moon. We Must Tackle It With The Seriousness Of Rocket Scientists

Coleman: Creating Great School Options Isn’t Just a Priority — It’s Our Mission to the Moon. We Must Tackle It with the Seriousness of Rocket Scientists

Receive stories like these directly to your email inbox. Sign up for Newsletter.

When Trayvion Newton graduated from high school last year, he shared a personal struggle with his classmates at Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy in Mesquite, Texas.

Trayvion went through a difficult time when he was seven years old, as his mother lost their home. They lived in a shelter where they faced challenges like waking up at 5 am, living in tight spaces, and taking fearful showers in public bathrooms.

Despite the hardships, Trayvion found solace and hope at school. He discovered his true identity as a creative, innovative, and curious scholar. He took on positions of leadership, becoming the president of the student council and the captain of the robotics club. Additionally, he excelled academically, reaching the prestigious position of salutatorian.

Trayvion’s inspiring story demonstrates the transformative power of schools in providing opportunities. Even the most vulnerable students, who are often overlooked by adults, can thrive in the right educational environment.

Unfortunately, Texas lacks sufficient access to these schools for many students. In 2019, only 19 percent of low-income fourth graders in the state were proficient readers, ranking Texas 42nd out of 50 states in the Nation’s Report Card.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue. All students require additional support to catch up academically, but the disruption caused by the pandemic has widened existing learning gaps, especially for low-income children.

Consequently, it is our current mission to prioritize and expand the availability of excellent educational options for the students who need them the most. We must approach this mission with the seriousness and dedication of rocket scientists and the creativity and imagination of astronauts.

Public charter schools in Texas are playing a crucial role in this endeavor. Twenty-five years ago, a group of educators opened these schools, offering a new and innovative approach to education. In exchange for increased accountability, these educators were granted more freedom to design schools tailored to meet the complex needs of students.

During National School Choice Week, educators and families across the United States celebrate the progress made in creating new educational opportunities for students. However, we must also advocate for the growing number of families that still require these options.

The establishment of the first public charter schools in Texas was not without challenges. Superintendents taught classes in the back of empty restaurants, and some even cleaned classrooms themselves. Nevertheless, families rallied around these schools, particularly those whose children had been historically underserved.

Currently, Texas public charter schools educate over 365,000 students, with approximately 71 percent coming from low-income households. This percentage is higher than the 60 percent seen in traditional school districts. However, it is important to note that this statistic doesn’t capture the full complexity of the situation.

In 2019, the state Legislature passed a significant school finance bill that identifies five tiers of student need based on annual household income. Using this framework, we can determine that around 40 percent of public charter school students come from families earning $40,500 or less annually, facing even greater obstacles. (In traditional school districts, this applies to 24 percent of students.)

Supporting these students extends beyond academics. It requires building strong connections with families and advocating for broader community needs so that obstacles to learning outside of school can be addressed promptly.

For instance, Compass Rose Public Schools in San Antonio swiftly assisted families in accessing resources during the pandemic and the winter storm Uri, which caused lost wages, housing insecurity, and other challenges. Additionally, many charter schools partnered with local food banks to distribute meals.

After 25 years, we can see the lasting impact of these schools’ responsive cultures. Approximately 60 percent of low-income charter school students in Texas enroll in college, surpassing the statewide average by 16 points. Each day, we receive more success stories from these students.

School Choice Week brings attention to the growing demand from parents for high-quality educational options. The pandemic has provided them with a clearer understanding of their children’s needs and how they best learn.

According to an analysis by the Texas Education Agency, there were 55,000 students waiting to enroll in charter schools in Texas at the end of 2020. In an effort to provide more families with access to high-quality public charter schools, Governor Greg Abbott recently announced that the state would allocate $10 million in emergency education relief funds. This decision is an important one that other states should consider following.

As we commemorate National School Choice Week, we should reflect on the past 25 years of empowering families and students, including individuals like Trayvion.

Therefore, I encourage you to take a moment to introduce yourself if you encounter students dressed in yellow shirts to celebrate this occasion. These young individuals are the future scientists, artists, and leaders, and their voices hold great influence.

Starlee Coleman serves as the CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association.