Press Releases

On Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m., the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), will hold a markup of the Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218).  The markup will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

High-quality public charter schools empower parents to play a more active role in their child’s education, encourage state and local innovation, and help students escape underperforming schools. Despite high demand for more charter school opportunities, significant barriers to growth exist in the form of state caps, inequitable financing, and other issues that prevent more families from taking advantage of these innovative institutions.

The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218), introduced by Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will modernize and streamline the federal Charter School Program, providing greater opportunities for states to support the development and expansion of successful charter schools. Additionally, the legislation will enhance how policymakers measure the quality of existing charter schools, helping to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

Also on Wednesday, the committee will mark up the Committee Activities Report for the first quarter of the 112th Congress, a report summarizing the committee’s actions on behalf of education and workforce policies. To learn more about either portion of Wednesday’s markup, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/markups.