Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday filed an amicus brief with the Georgia Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of state-authorized charter schools.
In its brief, the Chamber asks the court to uphold a lower-court ruling that the Georgia Charter Schools Commission is legally empowered to approve and fund such schools. Several local school districts unsuccessfully challenged the Commission’s constitutionality in Fulton County Superior Court earlier this year and are appealing the decision to the high court.
The brief highlights Commission charter schools as a leading innovation in Georgia education, providing an important, quality option for Georgia students alongside locally authorized charter schools and traditional public schools. The state has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to Commission charter schools and recently made them part of its successful bid for $400 million in federal Race to the Top funds that will be used to improve academic performance across the state.
“In today’s competitive environment, a well-educated, well-qualified workforce is at the top of the list for any company looking to add jobs in Georgia,” said Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “Employers rely on our schools to equip students with the tools they need to succeed -- and the students who attend Commission charter schools are among the top performers in the state.”
The Chamber joins Georgia Families for Public Virtual Education, the Georgia Parent Advocacy Network and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, which previously filed briefs in support.
“We are grateful that the Georgia Chamber has once again demonstrated its leadership by offering this amicus brief,” said Tony Roberts, CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “A strong business and economic climate is heavily
dependent upon having an excellent public educational system. Commission charter schools are helping our system become exactly that.”
The case is Gwinnett County School District et al. v. Cox et al. (Georgia Supreme Court docket S10A1773).
Related Information: A copy of the brief is available here.
