By Kara Kerwin

Americans are fans of fantasy and myth - the resounding success of franchises like Twilight and Harry Potter offer strong evidence to support this claim. But when it comes to our education system, Americans must learn to distinguish fact from fiction.

This is especially true of our nation's charter schools. Despite the fact that over 2.5 million children are served by over 6,500 charter schools across the country, the majority of Americans have been swayed by tall tales and misinformation about the role of charter schools in our public education system.

One of the most common misconceptions is that charter schools are privately funded institutions. A recent survey from the Center for Education Reform (CER) found that only 20 percent of Americans correctly identified charter schools as public schools. Charter schools are in fact independent public schools that are held accountable for student results.

Another myth asserts that charter schools take money and resources away from the public school system. This could not be further from the truth. Like district public schools, they are funded according to enrollment and receive funding from the district and the state according to the number of students attending. In fact, charter schools actually do more with less, receiving 36% less revenue on average than traditional public schools.

When a student's family relocates and moves from one public school system to another, the public school system itself does not lose any money. The same can be said of a student moving from a conventional public school to a charter school. When a child leaves for a charter school the money follows that child. This benefits the public school system by instilling a sense of accountability into the system regarding its services to the student and parents and its fiscal obligations.

Additionally, research shows that charter schools have a positive impact, or "ripple effect," on neighboring public schools. A Harvard University study found that in Arizona, public schools neighboring charter schools scored increases in math achievement of more than three times that of schools with no charter schools in their communities. As the focus continues to shift from the needs of the system to the needs of children and parents, our children are better served.

Critics are quick to claim that because charter schools operate independently, they have lower teaching standards and less accountability than conventional public schools. This is pure fantasy. Charter schools design and deliver programs tailored to educational excellence and community needs. Because they are schools of choice, charter schools are held to the highest level of accountability - consumer demand. If they fail to deliver, they are closed.

Another common myth is that charter schools "cream" more advantaged students from traditional public schools. The reality, however, is that a majority of charter school students are non-white, or minority students. Only 45 percent of charter students are white, while 52.5 percent of public school students are white. Additionally, 61 percent of charter schools serve a student population where over 60 percent qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch.

Seventy-three percent of Americans support the concept of charter schools. The short story is that charter schools work, and are an asset to a public educaiton system that is slow to embrace innovation despite an ever-changing and increasingly global world. As the nation marks the achievements of the charter school movement during National Charter Schools Week, it is important for parents, teachers, students and all of those involved with charter schools to share their successes so that all Americans can learn more about institutions committed to accountability and choice in education, and for lawmakers to take note so they can improve charter school laws, and in turn improve public education, in their state.

Kara Kerwin is President of The Center for Education Reform, a K-12 education policy and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC.

Organizes Students and Educators from Across Illinois for Rally to Support Plan to Double Monetary Award Program (MAP) Scholarships for Deserving Students in Financial Need

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by hundreds of students and educators from across the state at the "MAP Matters Day Rally," an event organized to raise awareness for the Governor's plan to double funding for the Monetary Award Program (MAP) over the next five years. From Rockford College to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, college students from far and wide traveled to gather in the Capitol's rotunda to voice their support for MAP scholarships and the importance of this program. In the first year alone, Governor Quinn's plan to double MAP funding will provide 21,000 more students with an opportunity to attend college that would not otherwise be available. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality education and opportunity.

"A scholarship can make the difference in whether or not a deserving student can attend college," Governor Quinn said. "I commend all students and educators here today who are standing up for this great cause. An increase in MAP funding will help thousands of Illinois students attend college and prepare them for jobs in the 21st century economy."

Governor Quinn proposed doubling the state's investment in MAP during his 2014 State of the State address and followed through on this commitment in his annual budget. The state currently allocates $373 million for MAP grants, which benefit more than 140,000 students across the state. The Governor's Fiscal Year 2015 budget calls for an increase of $50 million, which will give 21,000 more students access to grant funds. Approximately 58 percent of MAP recipients have no available resources to pay for college.

During April, the Governor visited DePaul University in Chicago, Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bradley University in Peoria and Western Illinois University in Macomb as part of his drive to increase MAP grant funding and provide more college scholarships to deserving students in financial need. All five of these schools have a large number of students who are able to attend college thanks to MAP grants.

Governor Quinn has long championed the MAP scholarship program and has fought to protect it since taking office. In fiscal year 2010, after legislative cuts to funding for the MAP program, Governor Quinn successfully fought to have funding reinstated.

After securing comprehensive pension reform and taking other tough budget steps to free up resources for the classroom, Governor Quinn laid out an honest and responsible budget for the next fiscal year along with a five-year blueprint that will secure the state's finances, provide significant property tax relief to homeowners and working families, and invest like never before in the classroom and early childhood.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), which administers the MAP program, received a record number of eligible MAP applications through the end of February, up eight percent over the same period last year. Students can apply for MAP, Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid by completing and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Contact ISAC at (800) 899-4722 or visit isac.org for more information.

Discusses Agenda to Support Business Development and Expansion

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today addressed the Illinois Retail Merchants and Illinois Manufacturers Association's annual Business Day meeting and discussed his strong record of support for businesses in Illinois. Governor Quinn's initiatives have made Illinois a better place to do business and proposals he unveiled in his State of the State and Budget Addresses will continue to strengthen Illinois' economic comeback.

"Illinois is making a comeback and we're not stopping now," Governor Quinn said. "Our business owners are the economic engine of the Midwest. By cutting taxes for companies that train their workers and helping entrepreneurs get started, we are giving businesses the tools they need to create jobs and drive our economy forward."

Governor Quinn has worked to rebuild the Illinois economy. The state was recently ranked third in the nation for new corporate locations and expansions by Site Selection magazine. Illinois' unemployment rate is currently at its lowest point in five years, and the state has added 257,000 private sector jobs since January 2010.

Last month, President Barack Obama announced that Illinois had won a new digital manufacturing hub, supported by the federal government and corporate partners. The Governor personally petitioned the United States Secretary of Defense twice and made the case to key White House officials about the benefits and importance of Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI) Institute. The institute will apply the newest technologies to help manufacturers try and use new innovations in digital manufacturing and design, with an emphasis on defense manufacturers.

Under Governor Quinn, small businesses across Illinois have helped drive our economic recovery. Illinois' tourism industry is breaking records - more than 100 million visitors for the first time ever and $33.5 billion in spending in local economies across the state. Illinois' film industry has also set new records, generating over $350 million in economic activity. In 2012, a new digital company was launched in Chicago every 24 hours.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has fought to make historic and fundamental reforms to improve Illinois' business climate. In 2011 he worked with the General Assembly to enact historic workers' compensation reform that is allowing Illinois businesses to save hundreds of millions of dollars. The Governor continued that progress last year by signing historic legislation that addresses the most critical fiscal challenge in Illinois by reforming the state's pension systems. This comprehensive pension reform solution will eliminate the state's unfunded liability and fully fund the pension systems.

To keep the progress going, Governor Quinn is proposing a new tax cut for businesses that provide job training. By lowering the cost to train workers, this tax cut will make it easier for businesses to create new jobs and ensure workers have the skills to drive a 21st century economy.

The Governor is also proposing to reduce the fee to establish a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) by more than 90 percent, from $500 to $39 - the lowest in the nation. Formation as an LLC encourages entrepreneurs to invest their time and money into viable business enterprises. Reducing the filing fee to $39 would make it easier for small business to start and grow in Illinois.

Governor Quinn is also proposing a bipartisan working group to develop a new capital construction plan for the next five years. This would build on the success of the Illinois Jobs Now! program that has supported more than 400,000 jobs and built and repaired 7,731 miles of road, 1,330 bridges and 1,048 schools. These projects strengthen and improve infrastructure to provide better access and support for local businesses, and they employ thousands of workers from local construction companies, who also spend their hard-earned salaries locally.

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement urging the Illinois Senate to pass House Bill 8, which provides job protections for working pregnant women. The bill has passed the Illinois House and recently passed out of the Illinois Senate's Executive Committee.

"I salute bill sponsors Representative Mary Flowers and Senator Toi Hutchinson for their hard work on this important legislation.

"As we approach Mother's Day, I urge the Illinois Senate to vote in favor of this bill to protect Illinois' expectant mothers.

"While many moms-to-be continue working long into their pregnancies, part-time and full-time employers should provide reasonable accommodations on the job.

"This legislation will ensure all working pregnant women are guaranteed a supportive work environment without worrying about their baby's safety.

"Protections under House Bill 8 will ensure healthier women and babies, and a stronger workforce across our state."