SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) President and CEO Myrna Castrejón issued the following statement following the release of 2021–22 Statewide School Enrollment Data by the California Department of Education:
“The latest enrollment data from the California Department of Education reflects that all public schools, including charter public schools, are facing the same statewide demographic challenges. While CCSA continues to examine the data and gain further understanding of demographic shifts across the state, it is important that policymakers remember that charter schools are an integral part of our public education system.
“California’s charter public schools provide high-quality educational opportunities to some of our most vulnerable students. In the 2021-22 academic year, the majority of charter public school students are from low-income households. In addition, 53% of charter students are Latino, 15% are English learners, and 7% are Black.
“This year’s enrollment data reinforces that charter public schools should be provided equitable funding to ensure they can continue to provide the same high-quality educational opportunities for public school students.”