Reggie Lee, board chair at Yu Ming Charter School, highlights the challenges facing charter schools due to restrictive regulations and political maneuvers, particularly California’s AB1505. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement in opposing detrimental education policies to ensure quality charter schools can thrive, showcasing his family’s positive experiences at Yu Ming.
Malka Borrego, founder of Equitas Academy Charter Schools, shares her experiences with bureaucratic challenges in opening new schools in Los Angeles. She highlights the impact of AB1505 and new federal regulations that hinder charter school creation. Borrego invites community engagement to advocate for school choice and quality education, emphasizing collective resilience.
Jim Goenner, President & CEO of the National Charter Schools Institute, discusses the 30-year evolution of charter schools, viewing them as essential for educational reform. He emphasizes the need for innovation and accountability in public education, urging leaders to pursue excellence and unify efforts to ensure every child receives adequate support and education.
Dr. Christopher Manning, CEO of Buffalo Creek Academy, reflects on his journey and the influence of his “spirit school,” Purpose Preparatory Charter. Through his experiences in high-performance charter schools, he emphasizes the importance of school culture and intentionality. Manning aims to replicate these qualities at BCA, fostering a strong community and coaching environment for students.
Kimi Kean, CEO of Families in Action for Quality Education, emphasizes the importance of involving parents and youth in advocating for quality education in Oakland. Kean’s organization seeks to empower families, address educational disparities, and foster collaboration between schools and the community. Listening to stakeholders is crucial for effective educational reform.
Lety Gómez, Senior Education Organizer at Rocketship Texas, emphasizes the critical role of parent advocacy in achieving educational equity. Her journey from a frustrated student to an empowered leader illustrates how organizing families can disrupt systemic injustices in education. Rocketship’s effective model empowers parents to advocate for their children’s futures and strengthen community ties.
Ruben Felipe, Executive Director of the Connecticut Charter Schools Association, emphasizes the urgent need for educational equity in Connecticut following the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights grassroots advocacy efforts that led to a significant funding increase for public schools, particularly serving Black and Latino students, aiming to eliminate a $713 million racial funding gap.
Ricardo Mireles and Jose Salas, leaders of Academia Avance and Montague Academy in Los Angeles respectively, reflect on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the importance of effective public health measures in schools and express concern about the loss of authority for leaders to implement such measures in future health crises, highlighting the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Daiana Lambrecht, Senior Director at Rocketship Public Schools, emphasizes the importance of empowering immigrant families through authentic community engagement and advocacy. Drawing from her personal experiences, she highlights the organization’s commitment to building parent power, mobilizing communities to advocate for education, equity, and social justice, while calling for collective action within the charter school sector.
Julio Vázquez Sr., co-founder of Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School, reflects on his journey advocating for bilingual education in Rochester, New York. After facing educational barriers, he established the school to offer an equitable, community-centered alternative. Celebrating over two decades of success, he emphasizes education’s transformative power for future generations.