Introduction to the Rally
A coalition of over 200 New York City public charter schools marched across the Brooklyn Bridge in a show of support for a “child’s right to learn” and opponents have labeled as forced advocacy. Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy, rallied on Sept. 18 with some 15,000 students, parents, and staff, who then “marched for excellence” from Brooklyn to Printing House Square, just outside New York’s City Hall.
Purpose of the Rally
The rally was described by organizers as an opportunity for advocates to “raise their voices in unity” and send a message demanding “excellence as a civil right,” as well as “equal treatment and access to excellent schools.” Supporters said the rally was an opportunity to demand equal treatment of and access to charter schools.
Quotes from Supporters
“This rally is about equity, justice, and opportunity,” said Samantha Robin, a parent at Dream Charter School. “Parents deserve the freedom to choose schools that honor their children’s genius, their culture, and their potential.”
Timing of the Rally
With mere weeks before the New York City mayoral election, charter schools, facing the prospect of a new mayor opposed to their expansion in Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, are framing the “March for Excellence” rally as part of a years-long larger fight for the equal treatment of charter school students.
Current State of Charter Schools
The rally comes at a delicate moment for the charter sector. Charters, which are publicly funded and privately run, serve 15% of city students but have experienced slowed growth in enrollment since the pandemic, according to research from the New York City Charter School Center. Mamdani, the only major mayoral candidate running in November, has been critical of charters. He centered his education platform on universal child care and has been vocal about his intention to review charter school funding as mayor.
Attendance and Organization
Supporters in attendance included Rafiq Kalam Id-Din, Chair of the Black, Latinx, and Asian Charter Collaborative; Leslie-Bernard Joseph, CEO of KIPP NYC public schools; and many charter school families and faculty, who were instructed on organizing and staying on message throughout the event. Rumors circulated online that faculty attendance at the rally was compulsory.
Controversy Surrounding the Rally
Reporting that details internal emails and other documents about the event suggest a coordinated effort to pressure employees into participating and coerce students into demonstrating what the charters are calling targeted advocacy. A number of charter schools canceled classes for the day and brought students to the rally instead.
Reactions from Staff and Students
Will Doyle, 21, grew up attending public schools in the Bay Ridge area. Now a first-year teacher with Success Academy in Sheepshead Bay, Doyle explained the reason for the rally. “We’re here advocating for charter schools, but I do know that with the mayoral elections coming up, some candidates oppose the expansion of charter schools,” Doyle said. An operations associate with Success, who asked not to remain anonymous, echoed that the event was planned due to a general concern about “certain candidates” in the upcoming election.
Legal Implications
CUNY law professor David Bloomfield told Gothamist that under laws governing nonprofits, charters can require staff to participate in demonstrations if they are advocating for the schools, rather than speaking in support or opposition to a political candidate. Documents obtained by a reporter for Labor New York showed that Zeta Charter elementary and middle schoolers had classroom instruction canceled for the day and instead were scheduled to participate in a “school-on-a-bus” civics lesson, suggesting the event was part of the school’s curriculum for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Calls for Investigation
A day after the rally, two lawmakers — state Sens. John Liu and Shelley Mayer, who chair the senate’s education committee — called for an investigation of the event, which they said had been an “egregious misuse of instructional time and state funds.” The pair said in a letter that the state provides public funding to charter schools “to educate students, not for political activism or for influencing elections.” If violations are uncovered, they said, the state should take back a portion of the funding it had provided to the participating charter schools.
Conclusion
The “March for Excellence” rally has sparked controversy and debate about the role of charter schools in the education system. While supporters argue that the rally was a necessary step to advocate for equal treatment and access to excellent schools, opponents have labeled it as forced advocacy and a misuse of public funds. As the investigation into the event continues, it remains to be seen what implications this will have for the future of charter schools in New York City.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the "March for Excellence" rally?
A: The rally was held to advocate for equal treatment and access to excellent schools, and to demand "excellence as a civil right" for all students.
Q: Who attended the rally?
A: The rally was attended by over 15,000 students, parents, and staff from over 200 public charter schools in New York City.
Q: Why was the rally held at this time?
A: The rally was held just weeks before the New York City mayoral election, as charter schools face the prospect of a new mayor opposed to their expansion.
Q: What are the controversy and concerns surrounding the rally?
A: There are concerns that faculty attendance at the rally was compulsory, and that students were coerced into participating in targeted advocacy. There are also questions about the use of public funds to support the rally.
Q: What are the potential implications of the rally?
A: The rally may have implications for the future of charter schools in New York City, and may lead to changes in the way that public funds are used to support these schools.
