Press Releases

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218). This important legislation will facilitate the development of high-performing charter schools, as well as encourage choice, innovation, and excellence in education.

During floor debate, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) said the legislation will support the growth and replication of high-quality charter schools in communities across the country, providing new education opportunities to countless students.

“H.R. 2218 will help more students gain access to a quality education by facilitating the development of high performing charter schools,” Rep. Roe stated. “It reauthorizes the charter school program, which provides start-up grants to help charter schools open the doors, buy classroom materials, and teach new students. The bill also encourages states to support the development and expansion of charter schools, while ensuring an emphasis on quality and innovation.”

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), chairman of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, also praised the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act. In a floor speech, he stressed that the legislation would streamline and simplify the federal Charter School Program while also protecting taxpayer dollars.

Walberg stated H.R. 2218 “accomplishes our goal of modernizing and streamlining the program by consolidating the current programs to one program and one authorization line.” He continued, “The result in savings still affords the taxpayer, the parent, and the educator with even more opportunity for growth of proven charter school models and new innovative charter schools.”

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is advancing a series of bills designed to reform elementary and secondary education law, currently known as No Child Left Behind. The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act is the first piece of legislation from this package to come to the House floor for a vote.

For more information on the committee’s education reform efforts, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov.  

 

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