Hundreds of charter school supporters from all corners of Michigan will descend on the State Capitol in Lansing on Dec. 3 for Charter School Advocacy Day. The group will include charter school parents, board members, administrators and other supporters. The event is being organized by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA), the state charter school association.
“These are people who love their schools and love the success their children are experiencing, and they want to tell Lansing about it,” said MAPSA President Dan Quisenberry. “They’re coming to Lansing to tell their stories, so that lawmakers and others can hear firsthand about the great things happening in Michigan’s charter schools.”
The day will include meeting with legislators and visits to the House and Senate galleries while the legislative bodies are in session. At noon that day, there will be a showcase by some charter school performing groups in the Capitol rotunda. Charter School Advocacy Day comes as officials in Lansing begin to weigh proposals to change the education system in Detroit – proposals that could impact every student in the state.
“We’re hearing that charter school parents are starting to feel powerless as changes are discussed that could impact their children and their choice,” Quisenberry said. “We don’t want them to feel powerless. This day in Lansing will give them a chance to have their voices heard. We’re excited they’ll have this opportunity.”