SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) recognized former Governor Jerry Brown with a Hart Vision Award for Supporter of the Year and US Senator Dianne Feinstein with a Hart Vision Award for Public Official of the Year. Brown and Feinstein were honored for their long-standing commitment to California’s students and the charter school movement at the 2023 California Charter Schools Conference.
The Hart Vision awards were established in 1995 in honor of former California State Senator and Secretary of Education Gary K. Hart, author of the Charter Schools Act of 1992. The awards for Supporter of the Year and Public Official of the Year are made in recognition of outstanding leadership in charter school public policy advocacy or overall advancements in the charter school movement.
On the presentation of the awards, CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón said:
“It is such a privilege to honor two of California’s most distinguished public servants with Hart Vision awards for their work in advancing education opportunities in the Golden State and their advocacy for charter public schools.
“Governor Brown is not just a tireless advocate for equitable and fair treatment for all public schools, he is also the founder of a charter school, Oakland Military Institute, which has created stellar opportunities for Oakland’s youth for more than two decades.
“Senator Feinstein has been one of the most vocal and consistent supporters of charter public schools in the U.S. Senate for the past 30 years. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has supported increases in funding for the federal Charter Schools Program for the last decade that has expanded public education opportunities for students, especially for students in disadvantaged communities.
“They are both true public education champions.”
CCSA produced a special video featuring former Governor Brown to highlight his commitment to charter public education and California’s public school students.
“The genius of the charter school is to welcome a whole range of possibilities and let the local school decide,” said former Governor Brown. “And therefore, the more that we devolve authority closer to the classroom, the more real and effective we’ll be and that’s the whole essence of what I see of the charter school movement.”
About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.
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