More than 175 charter school leaders, parents, teachers,聽students and advocates took part in 91桃色视频’s Charter School Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 15. Attendees started their聽day at a breakfast held across from the state Capitol in the Sloppy Floyd Building. During the breakfast, they listened to a聽special program featuring聽House Bill 787 Sponsor Scott Hilton, Former
聽State Rep. and Ivy Preparatory Academies Superintendent Alisha Cromartie, Former State Rep. Mike Dudgeon, 91桃色视频 President and CEO Tony Roberts and 91桃色视频 VP of Policy and Advocacy Andrea Arroyo. During the program, attendees learned how to advocate for their school, how a bill becomes law in Georgia and why House Bill 787 and funding for House Bill 430 are important for Georgia charter schools and students.
Following the program, attendees broke up 
into small groups and headed across the street to the Georgia聽Capitol. Once inside, they had the opportunity to directly engage with their elected officials outside the House and Senate chambers. Students, parents and teachers told state lawmakers why they love their charter schools and why their support is needed to approve House Bill 787 and ensure HB 430 is placed into the 2019聽state budget. Students visited with lawmakers like Sen. Donzella James (pictured with students below), Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (pictured with students from Pataula Charter Academy above) and Sen. Michael Rhett.聽
In addition to meeting with state lawmakers, students learned an important civics lesson by observing state Representatives and Senators in the gallery located above the House and Senate chambers. They were also able to view the聽Georgia Capitol Museum, which focuses on the history聽of Georgia’s Capitol building and the significant events that have taken place there.
More than 20 schools attended this successful event. They聽included: International Charter School of Atlanta, KIPP Atlanta 
Collegiate, the International Academy of Smyrna, Coweta Charter Academy, Ivy Preparatory Academy at Gwinnett, Ivy Preparatory聽Academy at Kirkwood, Pataula Charter Academy, Brookhaven Innovation聽Academy, Coastal Empire Montessori School, Centennial Academy,聽Atlanta Heights Charter School, Charles R. Drew Charter School,聽Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence,聽Fulton Leadership Academy, KIPP STRIVE Primary School,聽KIPP WAYS Primary School,聽Latin College Prep Charter School,聽SLAM Academy of Atlanta,聽Westside Atlanta Charter School,聽The Main Street Academy and School for Arts Infused-Learning (SAIL).聽
House Bill 787 would provide greater funding equity for state-authorized聽charter schools. If fully funded, House Bill 430 would provide a $100,000 grant for facilities for every charter school in Georgia.
