August 7, 2008
Governor David Paterson Earns Praise For His Support of Charter Schools
Few legislators in the United States have been as brave on education reform as New York Governor David Paterson. From his time representing Harlem in the New York State Senate, to his current position as Governor, Paterson has marked his time in Albany as a bold leader working to revitalize New York's public education system.
In 2003, as a state senator, Paterson stood next to Mayor Michael Bloomberg to announce that charter schools would be allowed to share space with public schools. New York Daily News columnist Bill Hammond wrote, "Gov. Paterson deserves high marks for his early and outspoken support for charter schools." The New York Post also offered praise writing, "As a state senator representing Harlem, he was keenly aware of the heartbreaking social cost imposed by public schools that have failed generation after generation of boys and girls."
In 2007, Gov. Paterson used his bridge-building skills to help the New York State legislation close chasms between factions in Albany and come to a consensus on the budget negotiations that led to an increase in the cap of charter schools in New York State. Anna Varghese Marcucio, director of state projects for the Alliance for School Choice, said of Paterson, "David Paterson is open-minded, and works actively to build bridges between various groups and communities." In July of 2008, sources acknowledged to the Albany Times Union that Gov. Paterson told charter school supporters at a conference in Wyoming that he supported eliminating the cap on charter schools in New York State completely.
When Paterson replaced Eliot Spitzer as Governor of New York, the New York Sun wrote, "In the Senate Democratic conference, Mr. Paterson stood out for his forceful support for charter schools." The New York Post even labeled Paterson the "Education Governor". Paterson has been spotted throughout New York State at various education events. In April of 2008 Paterson was the first governor to attend the Harlem Charter School lottery. The lottery is an important education event in Paterson's former district of Harlem. Thirty-six hundred students applied for only 600 spots at the four Harlem Success schools. This lottery demonstrated the demand in Harlem for innovation in education.
We thank Governor Paterson for his vocal and early support of charter school, and wish him luck in his remaining time as Governor of New York.
