Charter Schools See Federal Funding Boost Amid Rising Enrollment

Charter Schools See Federal Funding Boost Amid Rising Enrollment
The Department of Education recently approved a $60 million increase for charter schools,
raising their federal support to $500 million for the 2025-2026 school year. Despite cuts in other
areas, the boost reflects a growing national interest in school choice and recognition of charter
schools’ academic success.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon told the Senate Appropriations Committee that charters are
often outperforming traditional public schools in math, reading, and college readiness. Schools
like New York’s Success Academy reported 96% proficiency in math last year, far above city
averages. Indiana’s Signature School achieved an SAT average of 1316, and the BASIS network
reported a 94.5% pass rate in AP exams.
Charter schools generally serve a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic students and operate
with about $3,500 less in per-pupil funding than public schools. Still, research from Stanford’s
Center for Research on Education Outcomes shows they deliver more instructional time and
better academic results, especially for low-income and minority students.

Despite the momentum, charter schools face scrutiny. A 2024 report noted that 36% of charters
closed between 1998 and 2022, mainly due to low enrollment or mismanagement. Critics like the
National Education Association argue for more oversight, while proponents emphasize that
accountability is a key feature of the charter model.

At the federal level, Republican lawmakers have introduced the High-Quality Charter Schools
Act to support nonprofit startups, calling school choice the civil rights issue of our time. States
like Florida, Texas, and Colorado have also passed laws to increase funding and reduce
regulations for charters.

With more than 8,000 charter schools currently serving 3.8 million students, experts project that
by 2030, 1 in 10 U.S. public school students will be enrolled in a charter program.
Related Posts
Chicago Cuts Divvy Membership Costs, Expands Access
Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Lyft have announced a set
Chicago Shooting Leaves 4 Dead, 18 Wounded at Event
What began as a lively evening in a bustling Chicago neighborhood known for its restaurants
Chicago Sky Partners With Moonshot to Tackle Online Abuse
The Chicago Sky has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Moonshot, a company specializing in countering
Chicago Fire FC II Earns MLS NEXT Pro Honors Again
Chicago Fire FC II has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 16,
Chicago Lawn Sees $5.1M Street Reconstruction Begin
A major infrastructure improvement has begun in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, where the Chicago Department
Zinckernagel Earns Spot in MLS Team of the Matchday
Chicago Fire FC winger Philip Zinckernagel has been named to the MLS Team of the
Critics Link 5,200 Job Losses to Chicago Wage Law
More than 5,200 jobs have been lost and over 100 restaurants have closed in Chicago
Chicago Fire Clinch 3–2 Win Over Charlotte FC at Home
Chicago Fire FC edged out Charlotte FC with a 3–2 victory on Saturday at Soldier
Universal Horror Unleashed to Open in Chicago by 2027
Universal Destinations & Experiences, a division of Comcast NBCUniversal, has unveiled plans to open a
How Chicago Rodents Are Evolving in the Urban Jungle
A new study from Chicago’s Field Museum sheds light on how city life is actively