Our annual Lobby Day took place on May 6, 2008. For many parents who participated in this effort, it was their first opportunity to engage legislators about their schools and the charter school movement in general. Because charter schools are a creation of the legislature, it is essential that charter school advocates engage legislators on issues affecting their schools. Parents have the greatest stake in this movement; because of this (as well as the fact that they are voters), they are the most credible and effective spokespeople.

In this month’s CenterPiece we offer two different perspectives on the challenges ahead for the charter school movement. One is in the form of a letter written by a parent whose child is enrolled in Harlem Success Charter School IV, a new charter school that is currently fighting the powers that be for the right to open next fall in public school space.

The other is an opinion article co-written by Dr. Howard Fuller, an academic and nationally-known proponent of school choice, and Reverend Johnny Ray Youngblood, a prominent member of the clergy and a well-known Brooklyn community leader.

- James Merriman

A Letter from a Concerned Parent

I am a parent whose son is currently a student at Public School 7 (160 E. 120th St.) and I attended the hearing at P.S. 7 on March 6, 2008. My son has recently received an offer of admissions to Harlem Success Academy Charter School 4, (which we will accept). It is imperative for Harlem Success to obtain space at this location...