WE AGREE that charter public schools bear a significant responsibility to serve all students. But we disagree with the Globe and the group Multicultural Education, Training, and Advocacy that charters are not committed to living up to that responsibility (“Put charters’ ingenuity to work,’’ Editorial, Jan. 18).
Charter public schools make significant efforts to inform families of all ethnic backgrounds about the educational opportunities available to them. These multilingual outreach campaigns consist of direct mail, brochures, flyers, paid advertising, public relations, community meetings, and an annual schools showcase at which interpreters are provided.
Schools coordinate their efforts with local social-service and community groups that provide direct services to immigrant families. Once children are enrolled, schools provide intensive academic support and counseling services to retain them.
This year’s applications for new charters contain recruitment and retention plans that are similar to these ongoing efforts.
Every one of the 23 proposed new charters would be located in a major city, such as Boston, Lawrence, Chelsea, Lynn, Holyoke, Springfield, or New Bedford, with growing immigrant populations. Many of them are being proposed by charter operators with long track records of educating disadvantaged children.
Since charter enrollment is ultimately determined through blind lotteries, it is important that all families, including those who cannot speak English, learn about the choices they have. Our schools are committed to serving children from all backgrounds and have already reached out to Multicultural Education, Training, and Advocacy to work on improving and expanding existing efforts to reach those families.
Marc Kenen
Executive director, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association, Boston 
