On September 8, 2019, a commentary I wrote on the success of charter schools and the current political environment which threatens them appeared in the Riverside Press-Enterprise. It is reprinted below. I encourage all of you who support charter schools to follow the work of the California Charter Schools Association to learn more about charter schools, and to click on the “Get Involved” tab to see ways you can make your voice heard.
Springs Charter Schools, headquartered in Temecula, began school August 26 with 9,126 Homeschooled and Academy students, most of whom are Inland Empire residents. From our modest beginnings 20 years ago, Springs has grown exponentially; in fact, one of our schools, River Springs, educates 6,656 students, making it the largest charter school in the country. Our growth and success, along with the growth and success of many charter schools state-wide, proves that we are offering a free public school alternative that parents value for their children.
Yet while most charter schools have a proven record of success and are serving students of diverse needs and backgrounds throughout California, there are powerful political forces in our state that are hostile to change and want to preserve the status quo educational system even if it doesn’t work for many students. These anti-charter groups are using the legislative process to try to end charter schools’ existence in California. Everyone who values parent choice in public education should be concerned and involved in fighting against these nay-sayers.
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Dr. Kathleen Hermsmeyer
Superintendent
