FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 8, 2016
CONTACT:
Josiane Martinez
josiane@discoverasg.com
857-‐222-‐0800
Eileen O’Connor
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617-‐806-‐6999
More Than 80 Latino Leaders – Joined by Governor Charlie Baker – Call on State Legislature to Lift the Cap on Public Charter Schools
EAST BOSTON – More than 80 Latino leaders from across Massachusetts gathered today at Excel Academy in East Boston to urge immediate legislative action to lift the cap on public charter schools in the Commonwealth. Governor Baker also attended the launch event, and echoed the urgent call for a legislative solution to increasing access to public charter schools.
CLICK HERE TO READ LETTER FROM COALITION
The Latino leaders – which include state legislators, city councilors, school committee members, non-‐profit leaders, business leaders and community activists from Boston and Gateway Cities – joined the Great Schools Massachusetts Coalition and announced a public information campaign, “Justicia en la Educación: Latinos Unidos por Escuelas Públicas Charter,” which will focus on educating Latino parents and community members about the benefits that public charter schools have provided Latino children across the state.
“Massachusetts’ public charter schools have provided kids, parents and families in our communities with a student-‐centered approach critical to the success of children who face additional barriers to a great education,” said Governor Baker. “I am proud to join these leaders to call for raising the cap in low-‐income communities of color so that all children, regardless of zip code, can share in this success.”
“This legislation is something that our community wants and perceives it needs – and we await the leadership of our legislators at the State House to deliver it,” said Samuel Acevedo, Executive Director of the Boston Higher Education Resource Council and Pastor of Leon de Juda church.
“Public charter schools