Charter school leaders, silence is not your friend

For those who lead the charter schools deeply rooted in our communities, it's time to speak up

I see it all the time, and it hurts my feelings.

Charter school leaders who obsess over every detail of their educational strategies and have a heart for creatively meeting the needs of kids in their care but are unwilling to talk about it. They want to keep their head down, do good work, and stay under the radar.

They want a light under a bushel.

It's true these leaders are responsible primarily for ensuring quality education within their walls - not to carry the burden of an entire "movement" on their shoulders. Lord knows it's hard enough to beat the odds with student outcomes. Still, if they care about their work, they must see a bigger picture. Charter school leaders, especially those leading community charters deeply embedded in their neighborhoods, are mighty messengers for charter schooling overall. That's important because charter opponents never rest, and it's always possible for unforeseen events to shut their doors after a policy decision or public relations mess. I can tell you about high-performing, well-supported schools that no longer exist, not because they were failing children but because they weren't paying attention to threats.

As 2024 emerges as an election year, these leaders need to dig deep into their reserve of courage and recognize their potential to become advocates for their schools, communities, and the entire charter sector. This is especially true for charter school leaders of color who must embrace their roles as advocates and authentic voices pushing for unity, collaboration, and grassroots support in spreading charter love.

A few things to consider.

The Political Nature of Charter Schools: Charter schools operate within a highly political landscape. The movement for charters is subject to policy changes and public opinion swings, making charter schools and the communities they serve constantly vulnerable to unfair attacks. Opponents often frame charters as cold, corporate entities disconnected from the communities they serve - test prep mills without love or joy. To set the record straight, charter leaders are responsible for not just being strong school administrators but also powerful messengers who can humanize and clarify what charter schools genuinely represent.

The Power of Community Charters: Community charters, often led by people of color, with a heavy focus on the rootedness of their schools, represent a unique facet of charter schooling. These schools are indigenous to their communities, providing quality education and essential wrap-around services for students and acting as community partners for family services. These leaders dedicate themselves to their charters because their missions are community-driven. By highlighting the positive impact of community charters, leaders can show how their schools are done with and for the community, contrary to the opponents' narrative of charters being "done to community, not with community."

Charter Schools as Public, Period: Charter schools are one of many public options that ensure every child has a safe, affirming place to learn. They are now an ordinary part of the variety of public school options, alongside magnet schools, community schools, schools-within-schools, etc. Like all public schools, they must be accountable to the public for respecting the rights of students and using public dollars appropriately. We should never tolerate abuse in any school, including the ones we support—the public needs to hear this from our leaders loudly, proudly, and sincerely.

Funding for Diversity: When people say money makes the world go 'round, believe them. Our schools need resources to do good work, but, unfortunately, they are often the first to be shorted by their states. Individual leaders can complain about this, but that's a pebble dropping in an ocean. If charter leaders want adequate funding to ensure they can provide a well-rounded education and support services that cater to the unique needs of their students, closed mouths are never fed. Walking alone as if individual schools can be self-sustaining islands is the best way to continue losing in state capitals. If you believe funding is not just about charter schools but ensuring that every child receives a quality education, regardless of the school they attend, then grow a pair.

Unity and Collaboration Within the Charter Sector: Again, is there a dumber thing to do than to go it alone? Not in charter world. Focusing on unity and collaboration is the only way to win and sustain. Charter pioneers backed competition into the sector as a primary element, but it's time to admit that was a mistake. Your opponents are clear about the need to cooperate, align, strategize, and stand together. Divisions among charters and their supporters are needless and fruitless. Charter leaders must come together, share best practices and strategies, and support each other to raise the whole sector's roof.

The Importance of Grassroots Voices: As crucial as it is for school leaders to be seen and heard, it's double that for grassroots voices, particularly those of parents, who are the best messengers for influencing decision-makers to support charters. Parents' stories and experiences are the best advocacy to drive the expansion and sustainability of charter schools. If you are really about the community, it will show in how many of the families you serve show up for you when the chips are down. Hopefully, you have actively engaged with them before you needed them, and you amplified their voices into the rooms where their voices carry weight.

The Urgency of 2024: The time is now. Seriously. 2024 is an election year, and the most essential parts of education policy have to fight for a place in the spotlight. It's a fight those policies will likely lose, but a battle to be had anyway. The culture wars will intensify, and attention to the real issues affecting students and educators will be had to come by. Community-based school choice and charters will continue to be divisive despite their increasing popularity with families. And, through it all, charter leaders must see how their advocacy can shape the discourse during this critical time.

In the coming year, charter leaders and friends, you must step into your power by taking an intentional approach to communications. Share your stories. Write Op-Eds. Join podcasts. Launch blogs. Accept invitations for personal appearances. Attend public meetings. Wherever you can sing, go there and sing. These things seem extra and potentially superficial, but I'm an evangelist who believes words are power. The tongue is lightning. Communicators are heroes.

It's time for school leaders of color, particularly those leading community charters, to advocate for their schools and communities. In doing so, they contribute to the broader mission of providing quality education and affirming spaces for all students while strengthening the charter school sector.