LAPCS Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Charter Law this Charter School Week, May 3-9

The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) will join the state’s 134 charter schools, serving over 70,000 children across Louisiana, in celebrating National Charter Schools Week, May 3-9, 2015.  

This year will also mark the 20th anniversary of Louisiana’s groundbreaking charter school law, ranked as the second strongest in the U.S., benefiting public school students across the state with nation’s second strongest charter school movement.

 “It’s amazing to see the evolution of charter school law in Louisiana over the past 20 years, and the direct impact the growth of charter schools has had on educational innovation and outcomes,” said Caroline Roemer Shirley, LAPCS Executive Director.  

“I think it’s fair to say that when those first three charter schools opened in 1996, you could call charters an experiment. But when you look over the past 20 years and see the results Louisiana charter schools have produced, there’s nothing experimental about it today: they’re a success.”  

A recent study by the Stanford Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) found that New Orleans public charter schools significantly outperform their conventional public school counterparts, equating to an additional 40 school days in math and 28 in reading over the span of a school year.  

“Better academic outcomes are only one part of what make charter schools great,” said Ms. Roemer Shirley. “The level of community and parental involvement they produce is absolutely unparalleled.  

Parents can now have a direct say in where they send their child. If they are unhappy with the conventional option, many Louisiana families now have the right to choose where to send their child. Engaged community members and educators have the means and are empowered to start a charter school if so inclined. Serving on a charter school board is another organic way for community members to get involved. You don’t have to be a politician to serve on a charter school board.”  

National Charter Schools Week is May 3-9, 2015. For more information on Louisiana’s public charter schools visit www.lacharterschools.org. For national information of public charter schools visit the National Alliance for Public Charter schools website at www.publicharters.org.


The mission of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools is to support, promote, and advocate for the Louisiana charter school movement, increasing student access to high quality public schools statewide. Find out more at www.lacharterschools.org.