Sen. Perkins’ charter school hearings will focus on finance

MARGIN NOTES: Sen. Perkins’ charter school hearings will focus on finance

Posted: 17 Mar 2010 04:05 PM PDT

New York’s state senator most opposed to the growth of charter schools has his sites set on the schools’ books.

State Senator Bill Perkins, whose Harlem district includes about one in five of the city’s charter schools, threatened to hold charter school hearings a month ago after a group of charter school parents came to him with concerns about too little regulation and parental involvement. Now Perkins is planning a hearing for April 22 that will focus on the schools’ finances and whether the people running them are corrupt.

“The Committee has received and is investigating reports suggesting corruption, self-dealing, the manipulation of test scores in charter schools and the politicization of the charter school movement,” the advisory reads.

Perkins’ advisory also notes that education historian Diane Ravitch, whose recent book takes aim at charter schools, will testify in the hearing.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Chairman Bill Perkins Announces April 22^nd Public Hearing on Charter SchoolsFunding & relationships with affiliated companies to be examined;
Diane Ravitch to testify

The Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions will be holding a public hearing to look at the books of companies affiliated with charter schools. This hearing will review the corporate practices of both not-for-profit and for-profit corporations that partner or contract with charters. The hearing will examine how charters are spending money, on what, and how much profit there is in charter schools.

The Committee has received and is investigating reports suggesting corruption, self-dealing, the manipulation of test scores in charter schools and the politicization of the charter school movement. Joining the hearing as a key witness will be nationally renowned educator Professor Diane Ravitch, former charter school supporter now turned critic.

Senator Bill Perkins, Chair of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, will discuss these reports and announce the Committee’s public hearing to be held April 22nd.

Who:
Senator Bill Perkins

When:
Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.

Where:
Capitol, outside Senate Chamber, 3^rd Floor