The Real Fraud in California Education Isn’t Charter Schools - It’s a Broken System No One Will Fix

California legislators say they want to crack down on fraud in education. If that’s true, they’re looking in the wrong place.

For years, headlines and legislative hearings have targeted charter schools, especially nonclassroom-based models that provide flexible, personalized learning for students the traditional system couldn’t reach or failed to serve. Legislators like Assemblymember Muratsuchi claim that public funds are being misused, painting a picture of chaos and corruption. But what’s conveniently ignored in this narrative is the much larger, more expensive fraud hiding in plain sight: the failure of California’s traditional public school system.

Every year, the state pours over $100 billion of taxpayer money into K–12 public education. In 2023–24 alone, total school funding exceeded $129 billion, with per-student spending reaching nearly $24,000. And yet, outcomes are declining. Test scores are stagnant. Chronic absenteeism is on the rise. Parents are pulling their kids out of district schools in record numbers. If this isn’t a system in crisis, what is?

And still, the legislature keeps throwing more money at the same broken system, while blaming charter schools for daring to do things differently.

Let’s be clear: charter schools, especially independent study models that support students who have been bullied, have special needs, or simply don’t thrive in traditional classrooms, aren’t causing the decline in education. They are a response to it. Parents aren’t choosing charters because they’re trendy, they’re choosing them because they work better for their children.

California’s public education system needs deep structural reform. But instead of fixing the bureaucracy, politicians are trying to eliminate the alternatives. That’s not about protecting students. That’s about protecting institutions and the funding that props them up.

Why Should You Care If You Don’t Have Kids in School?

Even if you don’t have children, or your children have long since graduated, you are paying for this system. Over 40% of California’s state budget goes to education. That’s your tax money, billions and billions of it, funding schools that aren’t working for a growing number of students.

And if we eliminate charter schools as an option, there will be no pressure to fix what’s broken.

Public education is a cornerstone of democracy. Whether or not you use it personally, it impacts your community, your workforce, your economy, and your state’s future. A one-size-fits-all system that punishes innovation and choice is not a system built for progress. It’s a system built for stagnation.

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The Bottom Line

Charter schools aren’t the fraud. The fraud is pretending that California’s education system is working just fine, and punishing the families who seek better.

Speak up now to protect educational options. Not just for today's students, but for the future of learning in California.

What You Can Do - Even If You Don’t Have a Student in a Charter School

If you’re a Californian who cares about accountability, wise spending, and future opportunity, your voice matters. Legislators need to hear from constituents who aren’t just defending their own child’s school, but who care about how our education system uses public dollars and treats its students.

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Step 1: Look Up Your Representatives

Find your Assemblymember and State Senator here:
https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

You'll need to give them your address so they can confirm you live in their district.

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Step 2: Call Their Offices

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You don’t have to be an expert, just speak from the heart. Here's a simple call script you can use:

Hi, my name is [Your Full Name] and I live in [City/Zip Code]. I’m a California voter and taxpayer. I don’t have children enrolled in a charter school, but I care deeply about public education and how our tax dollars are being spent. I want to voice my strong opposition to AB 84. Charter schools, especially those that serve students who struggle in traditional classrooms, are an important option for California families. Please ask [Assemblymember/Senator Last Name] to vote NO or abstain when AB 84 comes before them.

Important: Any staff member who answers the phone can take your message and record your opposition. You don’t need to speak directly to the legislator.

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Step 3: Send a Message Online

Most legislators also have contact forms on their websites. Once you find your representative at the link above, click through to their homepage and locate the "Contact" or "Email Me" section.

You can copy and paste this message into the online form:

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Dear [Assemblymember/Senator Last Name],

I’m a California voter and taxpayer. I do not have children currently enrolled in a charter school, but I care about educational access and responsible use of public funds. Charter schools, especially independent study models that support students who haven’t been served well by traditional schools, are a vital part of our public education system.

Please vote NO or abstain on AB 84 when it comes before you. California families deserve options, and we must preserve the freedom to choose what works best for each child.

Thank you for your service and for protecting educational opportunities.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

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Thank You for Caring and Taking Action

Whether you're a parent, a grandparent, a taxpayer, or simply someone who believes in a better future for California’s children, thank you for standing up and speaking out.

Every call you make, every message you send, and every conversation you start makes a difference. Together, we can protect educational options for the students who need them most, today and for generations to come.

Let’s keep going.

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