For Immediate Release:
Sept. 30, 2016
ATLANTA – The Georgia Charter Schools Association applauds the Charter Schools Division of the Georgia Department of Education for putting together a strong application for the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP). The Georgia Department of Education has announced it has been awarded a more than $25 million Charter Schools Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Georgia is one of only eight states selected as a CSP grant recipient.
The grant money will go to startup public charter schools or those that are significantly expanding during the three year grant period. The federal funding is contingent upon Congressional approval, and the department must show it’s made substantial progress toward meeting the objectives laid out it in its application.
“This grant will fuel the development and expansion of new and existing high-quality public charter schools in Georgia for the next three years,” said Georgia Charter Schools Association President and CEO Tony Roberts. “Since the passage of the Charter Amendment in 2012, there have been limited startup or “implementation” funds available for those wishing to create and grow high-quality charters outside of Atlanta Public Schools’ district area. This grant money will give Georgia new resources and add to the strong, ongoing support of The Walton Family Foundation as it works to establish high-quality public charter school options for children in Georgia.”
Individuals or groups interested in starting a charter school, or joining a founding or governing school board, please contact the Georgia Charter School Association’s development program, New Schools for Georgia to learn about opportunities and next steps.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded a total of approximately $245 million in new grants under its Charter Schools Program. Other state educational agencies selected for the CSP grant funding include: California, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
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Contact:
Michelle Wirth
Director of Communications
Georgia Charter Schools Association
404-835-8903
mwirth@gacharters.org
Allen Mueller
Executive Director of New Schools for Georgia
The Georgia Charter School Incubator
Georgia Charter Schools Association
404-835-8917
amueller@gacharters.org
