Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 10.

Although I have very significant concerns about charter schools, it is important to note that defeating H.R. 10 would not eliminate charter schools; it would just maintain the broken status quo. As lawmakers, we must make laws better. We must shape the narrative to benefit the entire Nation.

So, today, I am offering a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 10 to increase accountability, quality, transparency, and to put into priority order access and services for disadvantaged students who are currently underserved by charter schools.

It would require charter schools to disclose information relating to their demographic makeup, how well they educate students, school attendance, average class size, academic achievement gains, parental involvement, and discipline. It holds charter schools to the same disclosure standards as traditional public schools.

We know, when public charters are held to the same standards of accountability, equitable access, and transparency, as in traditional public schools, all of our students receive a better education, but when public charters are not held to these standards, a student's learning suffers, and taxpayers' money is wasted.

I want to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for their leadership on this issue and for their support of my amendment. I also thank the cosponsors of this amendment, Representatives Rodney Davis, Tammy Duckworth, Alan Grayson, David McKinley, and Marcia Fudge.

Thank you for your commitment to provide every child access to a quality education. I would appreciate your support on my amendment.

I now yield to the gentleman from Illinois, Representative Rodney Davis.

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