DC Charter School Students Face $1,850 Per-Pupil Funding Gap in Mayor's Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC – Following the release of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s FY 2027 education budget proposal, DC Charter School Alliance Executive Director Ariel Johnson released the following statement:

“The Mayor’s budget proposal is deeply disappointing for the more than 48,000 students who attend public charter schools across the District. While we acknowledge the tough fiscal environment that we are in, the claim that public charter schools are the primary driver of budget pressures—while millions of dollars are allocated outside the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) in ways that benefit only DCPS—speaks volumes about this administration’s priorities.

“Our position has been consistent: fund schools equitably. And when cuts are necessary, make them equitably. This budget creates a per-pupil funding gap of approximately $1,850 in favor of DCPS students, which sends a troubling message that charter school students are worth less than their peers.

“While we appreciate the 2.55% UPSFF increase, it does not make up for a budget that asks 48,000 children—including a large proportion who are economically disadvantaged—to make sacrifices to their education and future. This is the very definition of inequity. Charter school students are public school students, and they deserve to be funded as such.

“As the city looks ahead to new mayoral leadership, we urge the next administration to recognize public charter schools as an essential and foundational part of the District’s public education system—and critical to the growth and success of all students. We are encouraged by the following statements from two leading mayoral candidates in support of fair and equitable funding for all DC public school students through the formula: 

“‘The third thing that is important for me … is making sure that we have a fair funding formula for both our DC public schools and DC charter schools. And so that means everything needs to go through the funding formula. And what we have done is created an inequitable system by taking our funds out of that funding formula and then piecemealing our funding. We need to make sure that all of our students get the dollars they deserve because all of our students deserve the same level of investment.’” — Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, speaking at the Washington Latin Public Charter School education forum

“‘The school funding formula exists for a reason: to ensure every student is funded fairly and transparently. When we pull dollars out of the formula, it is students in our highest-need schools, particularly those in Wards 5, 7 and 8. Every child in the District deserves a quality education, no matter their ZIP code, school, or family income. As Mayor, I will fully fund and follow the funding formula to protect at-risk dollars.’” — Former At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie

“Between now and June, we will continue to elevate the voices of charter school families and students at every opportunity. We call on the DC Council to do right by these 48,000 students and ensure that every child, in every public school across the District, is funded fairly and equitably.”

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DC public charter schools serve nearly half of all public school students, from age 3 through adult, across 66 non-profit organizations that run 132 schools. More than 90% of students who choose to attend public charter schools are Black or Brown, nearly 10% are English-language learners, and 60% are economically disadvantaged.