Conn. Legislators, Leaders Discuss State’s Public Charter Schools at National Conference

Connecticut legislators recently traveled to Boston to take part in a panel hosted by the Connecticut Charter Schools Association at the 2024 National Charter Schools Conference. Dozens of attendees filled the room at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for the public session titled Charter Schools in Connecticut: A Source of Equity and Innovation.

The panel included Sen. Cathy Osten and Rep. Toni Walker, co-chairs of the Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Antonio Felipe, co-chair of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, along with Lucas Pimentel, CEO of Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD), and Brandon Brown, CEO of Mind Trust, a non-profit organization that connects communities and educators to funding and support which has recently announced its plans to launch an incubator for future charter leaders in Connecticut.

Panelists shared their experience and expertise in the discussion, which focused on the progress of the public charter school sector in Connecticut and the roadblocks these schools still face in the state’s legislative environment.

The growth of Connecticut’s innovative public charter school sector, with the support of key elected leaders and grassroots organizations, can help provide families with high-quality public school options to address one of the largest statewide achievement gaps in the country. Panelists shared perspectives on how public charter schools are addressing student needs, while discussing opportunities for future growth.

“We need to make sure children have opportunity no matter where they came from,” said Rep. Walker on the topic of furthering progress in giving students the education they need. In regards to further progress in education policy, Sen. Osten added, “If you don’t push an issue, it doesn’t change.” 

While taking questions from an engaged audience of education professionals, panelists also discussed the broader state of public education in our state and shared ideas on how public charter schools can be a key component of that system in order to ensure all students are given a chance to succeed.

CTCSA thanks Sen. Osten, Reps. Walker and Felipe, Lucas Pimentel, and Brandon Brown for their participation and willingness to lend their perspectives to this critical discussion. We look forward to furthering the conversation at the State Capitol and in communities across Connecticut this school year and beyond.