Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to enact, an amendment to the State Education Law that mandates a firm, common deadline for all charter school applications and a common lottery date for any charter schools using lottery admissions, or alternatively, to pass legislation allowing New York City to enact such a law locally.

Res. No. 517

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to enact, an amendment to the State Education Law that mandates a firm, common deadline for all charter school applications and a common lottery date for any charter schools using lottery admissions, or alternatively, to pass legislation allowing New York City to enact such a law locally.

By Council Members Chin, Gentile, Koslowitz, Lancman, Palma and Rodriguez

Whereas, In 1998, the New York State Charter Schools Act provided for the creation of independent public schools known as charter schools; and

                     Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Education, there are 197 charter schools in operation in New York City for the 2014-2015 academic year; and                     

                     Whereas, The New York State Education Law requires that, if the number of applicants to a charter school submitting a timely application on or before April 1 exceeds the number of available seats, a random selection process such as a lottery must be used to select students for admission; and 

                     Whereas, According to the New York City Charter School Center, more than 95 percent of charter schools in New York City receive more applications than they have open seats, and so they conduct lottery admissions; and

                     Whereas, Since 2010, the New York State Education Law has required that charter school admission applications “be submitted on a uniform application form created by the department,” but the law does not require a uniform lottery date; and

                     Whereas, According to the New York City Charter School Center, each charter school currently conducts its own application process and lottery, most with an application deadline and lottery sometime in April; and

                     Whereas, Keeping track of a large number of different application deadlines, lottery dates, and lottery results imposes a significant and unnecessary burden on families interested in enrolling their children in charter schools; and

                     Whereas, Several other cities and states have made progress in streamlining the charter application process, including Rhode Island’s decision to institute a common lottery date for charter schools, and Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado’s efforts to institute a single school choice and lottery process covering both charter and district-run schools; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to enact, an amendment to the State Education Law that mandates a firm, common deadline for all charter school applications and a common lottery date for any charter schools using lottery admissions, or alternatively, to pass legislation allowing New York City to enact such a law locally.

kac

LS#2014

10/21/2014 5:00 PM