Lawmakers honored during PCPCS’ 2021 Charter School Student Showcase event highlighting charter student achievements
HARRISBURG (MAY 13, 2021) – The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) today honored two legislative champions of public charter schools, Sen. Anthony H. Williams, D-Philadelphia, and Rep. Josh Kail, R-Beaver, with the 2021 Charter Champion Award.
The Charter Champion Award recognizes supporters of public charter schools and celebrates their efforts to defend public charter schools and the students they serve in Pennsylvania.
“Both Senator Anthony Williams and Representative Josh Kail have publicly and passionately extolled the values of school choice and public charter schools in Pennsylvania,” said Lenny McAllister, CEO of PCPCS. “As leaders, they have worked to improve public education for every student – both in school districts and public charter schools – with the understanding that each Pennsylvania family deserves to find an academic and developmental fit for their children.”
The Charter Champion Awards were presented virtually during PCPCS’ 2021 Charter School Student Showcase event in honor of National Charter Schools Week. The Showcase featured the talent and successes of public charter school students from across the state.
View the 2021 Charter School Student Showcase
In accepting the award, Williams said his family always stressed the importance of education. His mother was a public school educator, as were many of his relatives. Education was a priority in their home.
“They drummed into our minds that, for generations, African Americans were denied the right to be educated and, by any and all means, we would never be denied that opportunity going forward,” Williams said.
Kail’s support of public charter schools stems from his belief that educational opportunities empower children and families.
“Charter schools put the focus of education squarely on students. Parents are empowered with real choices to benefit their children,” Kail said. “This educational opportunity for families provides strong accountability, because parents with a real choice are going to make the best choice for their children. With charter schools, parents and students win. And, when parents and students win, we all win.”
In addition to the Charter Champion Award, the Charter School Student Showcase event included performances and presentations from public charter school students from across the commonwealth. Students from the following schools shared their exceptional talents and successes during the virtual event:
- Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship, Pittsburgh
- Ad Prima Charter School, Philadelphia
- Reach Cyber Charter School, Statewide
- Pan American Academy Charter School, Philadelphia
- Maritime Academy Charter School, Philadelphia
- Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Midland
“These students embody the power of educational choices in helping students achieve success,” McAllister said. “We were proud to feature their accomplishments during National Charter Schools Week, and we thank them for sharing their talents with us.”
For more information, contact Jess Hickernell at j.hickernell@pacharters.org.
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About PCPCS: The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) is the state’s largest and most active organization advocating for both brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools. Pennsylvania’s 180 charter schools educate more than 160,000 students, and demand for these public schools continues to grow, with more than 40,000 students on charter school waitlists. For more information on PCPCS or charters schools, visit www.pacharters.org.
