In February 2009, the White House released the outline for its proposed 2010 budget, which pledged an increase in support for "effective charter schools." According to the budget plan, "The President"s Budget will promote successful models of school reform by taking the first major step to fulfilling its commitment to double support for charter schools. The Department of Education will help create new, high-quality charter schools, ensure that States properly monitor and support these schools, and, in the case of chronic underperformance, close existing charter schools."

In April, the White House released more details about the proposed budget, committing $52 million in new funds for the Charter Schools Program, the State Facilities Incentive Grants and the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program. That translates to a 25 percent increase in charter school funding from this year.

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools president and CEO Nelson Smith released a statement on May 7, 2009, saying, "President Obama has taken a strong first step toward fulfilling his campaign promise to double federal funding for public charter schools."

"This increased funding, a 25% increase over Fiscal 2009, will provide new resources to start up high-quality public charter schools and help them deal with the difficulties of accessing capital support at the state level," Smith said. "We appreciate the strong statement the President is making here with a large increase in charter school funding at a time when resources are tight."

According to Brooks Garber, federal policy director for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, it appears as though the president's plan is to increase funding 25 percent a year, so that the promise would be fully fulfilled by the end of his first term.

"The proof will be in the pudding," Garber said.

We note that the president's budget proposal is just that. It needs the support of Congress, and it appears Congress may not be as generous as the president was in his proposed budget. The House has passed an education spending bill that would increase charter school funding by $40 million ($12 million shy of the target 25 percent increase), and the Senate has not yet passed its version.

If the increase comes in at the House number, "somehow, the president would have to make that up in future years to fulfill his campaign pledge," Garber said.

This promise still has a way to go. But Obama did put forward a long-term plan to keep his pledge over the course of his four-year term, and there's still time in the next few years to make up any shortfalls if Congress decides to reduce the proposed increase next year. We think Obama has done enough to move this one to In the Works.