Charter School Bill Advances
Last updated Thursday, March 1, 2007 10:45 PM CST in Topics
By John Lyon
The Morning News
LITTLE ROCK -- The number of charters the state Education Board could grant for open-enrollment charter schools would double under a bill endorsed Thursday by the House Education Committee.
In a 12-7 vote, the committee recommended House Bill 1504 by Rep. Keven Anderson, R-Rogers.
The legislation would change the maximum number of charters the Education Board could issue from 24 to 48. Anderson said the bill also streamlines the application process and eliminates restrictions on the number of charters granted in each congressional district.
Eight open-enrollment charter schools are in operation now in the state. Some members questioned the need to raise the limit beyond 24.
"To me, whenever you increase a number, it's because there's a high demand for what you're doing," said Rep. Betty Pickett, D-Conway.
Luke Gordy, director of the pro-charter schools group Arkansans for Better Schools, testified in the most recent application cycle, 17 applications for charters were submitted, but only three were approved. In another cycle, there could be a higher number of "qualified, attractive applicants," he said.
Gordy said even if the state had 48 charter schools, the schools could only take up to 12,000 students.
Pickett asked if removing geographical restrictions could result in 30 charter schools in Pulaski County.
Gordy said that would be possible in theory, but Education Board members "are not going to approve a charter that they don't think is needed."
Removing the geographical restriction allows charter schools to be concentrated in areas where traditional schools are not performing well, Gordy said.
Rep. David Rainey, D-Dumas, said some see charter schools as an attempt to "write off" traditional public schools and wonder why, if charter schools have so many things to offer, those things are not happening in traditional public schools.
"I'm sure your intentions are good, but we all know what they say about the road to hell," he said.
Anderson said he supports the public school system, and his children are in traditional public schools, but the state needs to be willing to innovate.
"I think the results we've seen so far merit another step in this direction," he said.
The bill advances to the House.
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