NEXT UP FOR CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION: New Mexico!

NEXT UP FOR CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION:
New Mexico!
Public charter schools across New Mexico are getting a $52 million boost! The U.S. Department of Education has just awarded a federal Charter School Program grant to the Public Charter Schools of New Mexico Association. (PCSNM)

The majority of the money is headed directly to schools. Most of the grant will be distributed over the next five years, but some public charter schools in the state could get funding as early as next fall. PCSNM says the bulk of the money (90%) will be dedicated to helping great charter schools expand and serve more students. The rest will be spent supporting those schools’ success.

New Mexico currently has 98 public charter schools. PCSNM will create an application process for schools to apply for expansion subgrants. PCSNM says they know many are already planning to apply. Monica Logroño, $52 Million Heading to Public Charter Schools in New Mexico, KOB4 News, November 2, 2023

 

CHARTER SCHOOL MARKET SHARE CONTINUES TO GROW

Parents Are Not Done Voting With Their Feet

Public Charter school enrollment is continuing to grow following the pandemic, 

building on the momentum gained from school building closures and distance 

learning during COVID-19, according to a report released by Moody’s Investors  Service this month. Charter school growth is highest in pro-school choice states like Florida, Arizona, Idaho, Texas and Utah, the report said.

Between fall 2017 and fall 2022, for example, the share of students attending 

charter schools grew from 5.1% to 7.4% in Texas and from 10.4% to 13.3% in 

Florida. Still, charters in less choice-friendly states like California and New York 

are also experiencing gains in market share. 

In those states, increased charter market share may be attributed to enrollment 

losses at traditional public schools. Additional competition from public charter 

schools is exacerbating those enrollment losses. For example, in Pennsylvania 

— the only state that experienced overall enrollment growth in the Mid-Atlantic 

region during this time period — most K-12 traditional public school districts saw 

a net enrollment loss because of a growing preference for charter and cyber schools. 

Naaz Modan, Charter Schools Continue Market Share Gains, K-12 Dive, October 30, 2023