(Oklahoma City) - Legislation allowing charter schools to further expand in Oklahoma passed the HouseTuesday.
House Bill 2753, by Rep. Lee Denney of Cushing, deletes the limit on the number of new charters that can be established in any given year.
" Oklahoma has a wide range of students who all have varying skill sets. Charter schools are simply another tool within the public school system to give students and parents educational choices," said Denney, R-Cushing. "High standards will remain in place as we expand out state's public school offerings. We can't be so scared of change that we miss an opportunity to be innovative."
The legislation restricts charter school establishment to districts of at least 5,000 average daily membership and in counties with more than 500,000 in population except when a district has a school site on the state's school improvement list.
The criteria for charter school sponsorship is expanded in the legislation to include school districts that have a site on the School Improvement List, technology center school districts if the local school district has a site on the School Improvement List, and by comprehensive or regional higher education institutions only when the local school district has a site on the School Improvement List and when the institution has a branch campus located within the charter's school district.
Finally, the legislation requires charter schools to comply with graduation requirements established by Oklahoma law.
" Oklahoma students deserve a choice when it comes to finding a public school that best meets their individual education needs," said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. "Our students are expected to compete on a higher level than ever before, and this legislation would encourage innovation in the classroom in an effort to improve student achievement. This change would also have the added benefit of improving our state's position in competing for Race to the Top funds."
The bill passed the House with a vote of 63-37 today and will next be considered in the Senate.
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