Duncan says legislatures failure to lift cap impairs access to stimulus" dollars
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued a warning to states that have limits on the number of charter schools that can open:
Lift those caps or potentially lose out on federal stimulus grants.
States like Texas that restrict student access to charter schools can expect their applications for the largest federal investment in school reform to be shuffled to the back Secretary of Education Arne Duncan reiterated Monday saying thousands of children in Texas are on waiting lists to get into charter schools because the state restricts the number of charters allowed to serve those children.
States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund Secretary Duncan said. To be clear this administration is not looking to open unregulated and unaccountable schools. We want real autonomy for charters combined with a rigorous authorization process and high performance standards.
States not making an effort to open access including the 26 like Texas that cap the number of schools as well as the 10 that have no charter school legislation stand to score poorly on applications for $4.35 billion in Race to the Top money the secretary will award for innovation in education.
States may begin applying for funds in October. A second round of applications will be accepted next spring giving legislatures in states some states time to do the right thing Duncan said adding that too much is at stake for states financially and for students academically to restrict choice and innovation.
The money is beyond the stimulus funds districts are already receiving to boost programs for children from poor families and special education needs.
Republican Rep. Brian Kelsey of Germantown Tennessee said he plans to try to amend unrelated bills on the floor of the Tennessee House of Representatives this week to include the charter school legislation
This summer the Department of Education begins accepting state applications for the federal governments largest one-time investment in K-12 public school reform. By the end of the year the department will be distributing grants from the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund.
Also $1.5 billion in Title I School Improvement Program funds is available to improve teaching and learning for all children.
I am advocating for using whatever models work for students and particularly where improvements have stagnated for years Secretary Duncan said.
We cannot continue to do that same thing and expect different results. We cannot let another generation of children be deprived of their civil right to a quality education.
President Obama has called upon states to encourage the expansion of charter schools. A network of innovative and high-achieving charter schools can be an important part of a states school reform effort. However charter schools are facing significant obstacles to expansion in too many states.
For example:
* Ten states do not have laws allowing public charter schools;
* In the 40 states with charters 26 put artificial caps on the number of public charter schools and President Obama has called on states to lift these caps and other barriers to having a healthy network of charter schools throughout the country;
* In Maine the state legislature is debating a bill that would establish a pilot program for its first 10 charter schools;
* Tennessee has not moved on a bill to lift enrollment restrictions on charter schools; and
* In Indiana the legislature is considering a moratorium on new charter schools.
These actions are restricting reforms limiting choices for parents and students and denying children access to new high-quality instruction.
