Testimony of Angela Gonzalez, Joint Committee on Education, In Support of H.632

Hello. My name is Angela Gonzalez, and I am here to support legislation that would give more students with high needs access to charter public schools. I support this bill because I was one of those students, and a charter public school changed my life. 

I grew up in Chelsea. As a child, I was an honor roll student. But when I got to high school, my mom got a new job and worked long hours. With my newfound freedom, I started skipping school. By the end of my sophomore year, I was on the verge of being held back due to how many absences I had. At just 15 years old, I was considering dropping out. 

But then, Phoenix Charter Academy found me. Phoenix was a non-traditional school. There weren’t typical grade levels, and school ran from 10 in the morning to 6 at night. When I entered Phoenix, I was able to be placed in classes doing 11th grade work. Suddenly, people saw potential in me. 

My path through Phoenix was not always easy. But with every challenge, the teachers went out of their way to ensure I had what I needed. They never lowered their expectations, and they never gave up on me. Today, nearly 20 years later, I am a proud staff member at Phoenix. 

Traditional schools aren’t the right fit for every child. Some kids need a school like Phoenix – a non-traditional, rigorous, self-paced school. But it’s not just Phoenix that can serve kids with needs. There are so many charter public schools – with a variety of different approaches, all offering incredible education to young people. 

And there are far too many Angelas out there in need of a second chance. Many of those kids believe a charter public school is the right school for them, but they’re on a waiting list, hoping for a spot to become available. Today, you have the power to give more of those kids, like me, the chance they’re looking for. Please vote in favor of this bill, help give kids with complex life circumstances and diverse needs the educational opportunities they’re seeking. 

Thank you.