Brooklyn charter schools rally sparks push for oversight as teachers union engages lawmakers

Thousands of parents and students from more than 200 charter schools gathered at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn on Thursday, Sept. 18, to demand educational choice and excellence for New York City families. After addressing the crowd, marchers crossed the Brooklyn Bridge in a display of support for public charter schools, a scene described by organizers and attendees as a broad demonstration of demand for school options in a city with a long-running debate over charter growth.

The organizers framed the turnout as representing low-income, immigrant and minority families who seek affordable schooling options outside traditional district schools. A subsequent protest carried a message of advocacy for charter autonomy and expansion, with organizers noting the day culminated in a substantial march across the Brooklyn Bridge by thousands of charter supporters.

In the days surrounding the event, the city’s teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers, aligned with some political figures to push state education authorities to scrutinize charter operators. The activists contended that operators face improper influence and questioned how funds are used, arguing for closer oversight in a fight they describe as about accountability and fairness for public-school students as well. The rally followed reports of a broader push from union allies to press for investigations into charter practices, framed by supporters as a step toward protecting students and public funding.

Democratic state Sens. John Liu, of Queens, and Sandy Mayer, of Westchester, submitted a formal request to the state’s charter-school oversight agency, asking for an investigation into charter operators on several grounds, including alleged coercion, misuse of public funds and students missing school. The move drew immediate pushback from charter supporters who see the complaints as part of a political battle over school choice rather than a neutral audit.

The Black, Latinx, Asian Charter Collaborative and other advocacy groups fired back, arguing that the senators’ action was defamatory and dismissive of charter leaders and families who exercise their right to choose. In a letter addressed to Liu and Mayer, the groups contended that the attack undermines parents’ agency and ignores the benefits that charter schools provide to communities that often struggle to access high-quality options within the traditional public-school system. They urged the lawmakers to join with families in pursuing opportunities, funding equity and fewer barriers to charter growth.

The dispute comes amid a broader debate about school funding and the role of charter schools in New York City and across the country. Supporters note that many charters operate beyond the state minimum of 180 days, while city Department of Education schools have run a shorter calendar this year, at about 176 days. Critics counter that calendar length is only one reflection of school quality and argue that accountability and spending oversight are essential regardless of school type.

Organizers described the event as issue-based rather than campaign-focused. They told political candidates not to attend, emphasizing a message about educational opportunities rather than electoral calculations. The gathering featured a mix of parents, students, educators and community advocates who said they are fighting for a broader spectrum of choices and a funding framework that they believe would support better outcomes for students who historically have been underserved by the traditional system.

Alongside the rhetoric, supporters documented the day with a display of images and stories highlighting the varied experiences of charter families across the city. Critics argue that school-choice advocates often overlook challenges faced by charters, including concerns over facilities, teacher staffing and the consistency of oversight. Pro-charter voices, however, maintain that competition yields improvements across the system and that families deserve real options that fit their needs and budgets.

The day’s events reflect a microcosm of a national conversation about how to allocate public funds, ensure accountability, and deliver high-quality education to diverse communities. As New York’s education leaders assess policy directions, the role of charter schools in expanding opportunity remains central to the debate, with proponents and critics alike urging rapid action to address underlying concerns about equity, transparency and results.

Advocates for charter schools insist that choice fosters excellence by enabling families to select schools aligned with their values and needs. They argue that charters often deliver strong academic results, longer instructional days in many cases, and more flexible approaches to teaching. Critics contend that the expansion of charters can strain resources and create disparities in funding and access, especially in districts already grappling with crowded schools and uneven outcomes. The conversation, carried in community meetings, op-eds and policy briefs, continues to shape how New York City and the state balance accountability with opportunity.

As the city weighs its options, educators, parents and policymakers are likely to face renewed scrutiny over how to structure oversight, funding and evaluation mechanisms for charter schools, and how to ensure that all students have access to high-quality schooling, regardless of where they live. The broader political dynamic—how labor unions, political actors and advocacy groups influence education policy—will remain a defining feature of New York’s US Politics landscape in the weeks and months ahead.

If the debate continues to unfold along these lines, charter supporters say the path forward rests on expanding opportunities for families who want alternatives to traditional district schools, while ensuring appropriate checks and balances that protect students and taxpayers alike. As one parent involved in the Brooklyn march said, the goal is to “build better futures for all New York’s schoolchildren.”