The past 18 months have shown that the American public education system is tragically broken, and we must act immediately to close the student achievement gaps which have existed for years but have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for students from lower-income families. In response, Bloomberg Philanthropies is launching a national five-year $750 million effort to support the success and growth of existing charter and autonomous schools, open new high quality charter schools, and create city- and state-level conditions that will help sustain this progress. The plan will create 150,000 additional seats for children in charter schools in 20 U.S. metro areas, including New York City. It will help build a stronger and more modern model of public education – one that is based on evidence, centered on children, and governed by accountability and high standards.