Asian parents to New York Democrats: ‘We have the right’ to choose charter school

On Friday, parents of Asian-American parents turned to New York Democratic Party lawmakers with a simple message: lift restrictions on charter schools!

“We pay a lot of taxes. As parents and children, we have a right to the best education, the best schools, and the best learning for all of our children,” parent Judy Wong said during a rally outside the Department of Education headquarters in Lower Manhattan.

Wong, who has two students aged 11 and 15, said all students “regardless of economic status, race, color or marital status” should be able to enroll in publicly funded charter schools. as well as traditional public schools.

“Now I feel that we are not competitive. I think they [students] learn a lot about politics and sex and all that, but they can’t do math.”

The push for the Asian-American community to choose a school in New York comes just three days after 500 predominantly black and Hispanic parents held a charter-school support event near nearby City Hall.

The parent-led campaign comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to lift restrictions faced fierce opposition from state Democratic lawmakers, who allied themselves with the anti-charter Teachers’ Union, the United Federation of Teachers, who allege charters siphon funds and students. from traditional public schools. .

But Yating Chu, parent of a 12-year-old and president and founder of the Asian Wave Alliance, said: “Charter schools have delivered results for New York families, and we should have a choice. Our public schools are failing us and they cannot trap us in this failed system. We need more choice, we need to lift the restriction.”

Chu said her daughter is getting a “very mediocre education” — even through a program for the gifted and talented at a traditional public school in Brooklyn.

Supporters shouted “Raise your hat” and held signs reading “New York City needs more charters”, “Asian families want more charter schools” and “Kids over politics”.

Newly elected Republican Assemblyman Lester Chang, who represents south Brooklyn, said his fellow lawmakers should listen to the voice of parents.

“A charter school is not my choice. It’s the parent’s choice! They told me they wanted it,” Chang said.

“I believe in parental choice. And I believe in choice. This is what democracy is going to choose. If there is no choice, then it is autocracy.”

He continued, “So the parents know what is in the best interests of the child. Not me. Not the chancellor, not the mayor, not anyone else.”

Chung said his fellow Republicans in the Assembly also support Hole’s proposal to lift the cap on charter schools.

There are currently 275 charter schools in the city, with 12 more to open next fall, bringing the total to 287. A government-mandated limit prohibits the opening of new charter schools.

The Hohul plan will give the city access to approximately 85 charter school licenses that have not been used in other parts of the state.

Other parents joined the cause on Friday.

Brian Robinson, who has a 5-year-old daughter attending a traditional public school and is expecting another child soon, said: “We need competition. Competition brings success. It makes everyone level up.

“In terms of education, we see a lot of good results in charter schools. So if we fund charter schools, it doesn’t mean traditional public schools can’t function properly. In fact, it would be better for them.”

Daniela Sousa Egorov has two children, ages 9 and 5, in a traditional public school, but she said there should be a charter school option.

“We need charter schools because parents should be in charge of their children’s education. No one knows better than parents what a child needs,” she said.

“Charter schools have proven to be a very good choice for our families in New York. Parents should make the final decision, not bureaucrats and elected officials.”

Charter schools are publicly funded private schools that generally have a longer school day and year than traditional public school students and have a greater focus on the core curriculum.

Charter school students vastly outperform neighboring district schools on standard state exams in math and English, the Post series has shown.

The vast majority of charter schools are non-union and have more opportunities to operate and develop their own curriculum.