CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR SUPPORTS BILL TO IMPROVE CHARTER SCHOOLS
Written by admin, Sep 14, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Jose Borjon,
Charter schools provide effective learning model in South Texas Washington D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) supported the passage of a bipartisan bill that reforms and strengthens the charter school program. H.R. 2218, Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act, will reauthorize the federal Charter School Program and works to increase access and accountability to charter schools in South Texas.
“Charter schools continue to provide high-quality and reliable education to many students across the country, especially students in the 28th District of Texas, who benefit greatly from this method of education that has proven effective and trustworthy,” Congressman Cuellar said.
More specifically, the legislation includes provisions authorizing funding, not only for starting up new charter schools, but also for replicating and expanding high-quality charter schools. It ensures that charter schools provide increased access for underserved populations, including students with disabilities and limited English proficiency. Additionally, it allows the collaboration between public and charter schools by sharing innovating and productive practices to help improve academic achievement.
“Some of our best learning models have come from charter schools in South Texas,” Congressman Cuellar said. “This legislation allows for the replication of those models to be shared with other start-up and existing charter schools to better their education opportunities and experiences. We must offer a second to none education to our Texas children and this legislation places children as a top priority.”
Currently, there are 5,200 charter schools across the nation serving 1.8 million students, including 463 charter campuses in Texas that serves nearly 120,000 students. As part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), this legislation embarks on a steady revamp of outdated provisions. The educational need of the nation is not only focused on revamping outdated law, but also on providing students the education and tools to go into the workforce as highly skilled, globally competitive individuals. This federal charter school program serves our schoolchildren in the 28th district and students nationwide to enhance student achievement in charter schools and be an effective part of our education system.
H.R. 2218, Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday by a bipartisan vote of 365-54. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
