To: The United States Senate

Senators - VOTE NO on H.R. 2218 - Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act

Dear Senators:

The recent passage of H.R. 2218, the Empowering Parents Through the Quality Charter Schools Act by the House of Representatives is equally troubling. The nation’s teachers are not alone in their condemnation of this potential federal mandate to implement Charter Schools in every state.

The Association of School Administrators has also raised concerns that H.R.2218 will harm the commitment to properly fund public schools by siphoning money through the voucher system to private charter schools falsely labeled as “Public Charters”.

While some effective charter schools exist, significant fraud and abuse of the public trust has occurred across the nation among charter schools and their operators. We are witnessing a re-segregating of our nation’s schools in the areas of:

1. Race
2. Class
3. Ability
4. Sexual Orientation
5. Language

We are equally concerned that the interest of corporations and wealthy individuals has corrupted education policy in a way which will irreparably change the focus of education from one of success, learning, and accomplishment for children; to one designed merely for profit by corporations.

We the undersigned feel that a unique opportunity exists for you to reaffirm your commitment to education for all of America's children by VOTING NO – against H.R. 2218.

Your NAY VOTE will be a clear signal that you are not taking the side of corporate money and Wall Street hedge funders. It will be a firm gesture that indicates your genuine concern for the nation's children, teachers and schools.

Sincerely,

Why is this important?

As students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who are concerned about the re-segregation of public schools through the promotion of Charter Schools, we oppose H.R. 2218 - Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act .

We demand that you, as a Senator of the United States of America VOTE NO on H.R. 2218 - Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act to protect the civil rights of ALL public school children in America.