Fla. House Sends Charter School Bill To Governor
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) -- A bill that allows highly-rated charter schools to more easily expand enrollment and add new grades passed the House in a 87-27 vote Wednesday, sending it to the governor for final approval.
The bill (SB 1546) establishes a system for classifying schools that have received an "A" or "B" grade in the last three years as highly-rated and allows a charter school company that owns a majority of highly-rated charter schools to more easily open new ones. It also allows these highly-rated schools to receive 15-year charters.
Some Democrats blasted the bill for siphoning more money away from public schools and into charter schools.
"This bill takes away from traditional public schools and gives an unfair advantage to charter schools," said Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami. "Even though they are technically public schools, charter schools are not held to the same standards as traditional public schools."
Democrats said more money should be spent helping failing schools. Gov. Rick Scott has said he supports the measure.
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