I voted Yes on H.R. 10, the Success and Opportunity through Quality Schools Act.

Public charter schools are schools of choice that are created in accordance with state laws but operate with increased autonomy in order to test innovative approaches to learning and teaching.  They were first authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1994.  Mostly recently reauthorized in 2002, the federal Charter School Program has been in need of reform to help these schools perform efficiently and effectively, and produce models that may be replicated to the benefit of our public education system as a whole.

I voted in favor of H.R. 10 to support a reauthorization of public charter schools that streamlines the federal Charter School Program into one simplified program, which allows for the development of new charter schools as well as the replication and expansion of successful schools.  Among positive reforms, this measure makes improvements to current charter school law by providing for increased accountability and transparency in the performance of charter schools, as well as weighted lotteries that focus on the inclusion of students with disabilities and other traditionally underserved students.  Importantly, the bill increases the quality of information reported in annual performance assessments in regard to retention rates and academic performance so that upstate New York taxpayers, parents and educators can make sure these public charter schools are an effective resource for our children.

I also voted for several amendments to improve this bill, such as requiring states to increase efforts share best and promising practices between charter schools and other schools, so that our public school systems may more easily adapt these successful practices, and a measure to ensure that charter schools disseminate the same information as traditional public schools so that parents may make informed decisions about education options for their children. 

New York state’s public education system currently has over 230 charter schools, providing innovative learning to over 90,000 students around our state.  I supported this measure to strengthen the quality, operations and transparency of these schools so that our children, whether attending charter schools or traditional public schools that adapt proven best practices, may be awarded the best education opportunities possible.

The bill was approved by a vote of 360 – 45.