Women’s City Club hosts a panel discussion that will delve into the rhetoric surrounding vouchers and charter schools to illuminate the landscape of school choice in New York, and the critical policy issues concerning government funding, regulation, and oversight of local schools. The presenters will examine the costs and benefits of public funding for non-district schools, the legal and political parameters of the debate, and implications for education practice and equity. They will discuss potential City and State reforms, and opportunities for public engagement in ensuring that all publicly supported schools are capable of, and accountable for, providing a “sound basic education” to all students. The national debate over the nomination of Betsy Devos as Secretary of Education turned up the heat on a long simmering national debate over “school choice,” particularly regarding vouchers and tax credits for families who choose private and parochial education for their children. While proposals for education tax credits have been introduced in New York, they have not gained much traction. At present, publicly subsidized “choice” is primarily offered within the public school system and by independent public charter schools operated by non-profit or for-profit entities. Charter schools currently serve approximately 126,000 students statewide, including 105,000 of the 1.1 million public school students in New York City. Keynote speaker: Michael Rebell, Professor and Executive Director, Campaign for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University Panelists: Zakiyah Ansari, Advocacy Director, Alliance for Quality Education, Beverly Donohue, Senior Policy Advisor, New Visions for Public Schools, and James Merriman, CEO, New York City Charter School Center Moderator: Shawn Morehead, Education Program Director, The New York Community Trust What: Women’s City Club hosts panel discussion on public funding for school choice Where: Wollman Hall, 65 W 11th Street, New York, NY 10011 When: Tuesday, May 23, 2017; 8:30 AM RSVP: This event is FREE. To RSVP, visit http://www.wccny.org/calendar or call 212-353-8070. Events are open to the public. If you are interested in becoming a member, visit http://www.wccny.org/join.