A campaign is getting underway to encourage parents to transfer their children out of failing Buffalo Public Schools.Tonight at the Market Arcade in downtown Buffalo, parents, community and faith-based leaders and education advocates are launching what's being called the "10,000 Strong Campaign."
"Last year 2,200 parents submitted applications. So our goal this year is to have 10,000 parents or more," says Jason Zwara, Executive Director of BuffaloReformED.
Zwara says under the No Child Left Behind Act, parents with students enrolled in a low-performing school can request a transfer into a school in good standing. Zwara says more than 20,000 students in 44 city schools qualify, but Buffalo can't fill the need.
"What a big key factor of it is is the more parents that request and the more information we can know about what parents want, the district can craft solutions that match what parents want," he says.
Zwara says options include opening new schools or replicating existing high performing schools. Parents can get more information, submit applications, and attend a panel discussion at the Market Arcade starting at 6 p.m.