Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, along with several other senators, has introduced a new bill aimed at supporting the development of new charter schools. The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act, introduced by Senator Cornyn, Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Michael Bennet, Senator Mike Braun, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Senator Brian Schatz, seeks to streamline the application process for opening new charter schools.

Senator Cornyn highlighted the importance of charter schools in America's education system, stating, "Charter schools are an important part of America's education system, but the process to start one is often bogged down by red tape." He further added that the legislation would make the application process more efficient and provide parents with more choices for their children's education.

Senator Cassidy emphasized the role of teachers in ensuring the success of students, stating, "When starting a new school, knowing how to help a child succeed is the utmost priority. Teachers have that knowledge." He expressed that the bill would give teachers the resources to create their own charter schools and provide a better future for children.

Senator Booker addressed the complexity of the charter school application process, stating, "The complexity of the charter school application process discourages many educators from taking innovative approaches to advancing our country's education system." He emphasized the need for educators to have the necessary support and financial resources to navigate the application process, ensuring that more children have access to high-quality public education.

Senator Scott highlighted the importance of providing educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their zip code. He stated, "Every child - no matter their zip code - should have access to an education that sets them up to live out their version of the American Dream." He expressed that making it easier to open first-rate charter schools in underserved communities would ensure that more students have access to the educational opportunities best suited for them.

Senator Bennet emphasized the flexibility and innovative educational opportunities provided by charter schools. He stated, "Charter schools provide flexibility and innovative educational opportunities for students across Colorado, but too often, they run into burdensome red tape and regulations from the federal government." The bill aims to ensure that charter schools can access federal grants and reach more families in underserved communities.

Senator Braun highlighted the benefits of competition and choice in the education system. He stated, "I've always said that competition is the key to innovation: when parents have more choices and students have more opportunities, our education system is stronger." He expressed his support for the legislation, which aims to further encourage and incentivize the development of charter schools to benefit communities and better serve students.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act aims to authorize existing federal funding to help states streamline the application process for opening new charter schools. The bill would allow state entities receiving Federal Charter Schools Programs (CSP) grants to make pre-planning awards to prospective applicants who are led by educators with at least five years of school-based experience and have successfully completed the development of an initial plan for the opening of a public charter school. The legislation would also raise the cap on the percentage of state entities' grant funds that may be used for technical assistance and quality improvement activities.

The bill has received endorsements from various organizations, including the Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Texas Charter School Association, National Associations of Charter School Authorizers, New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, Colorado League of Charter Schools, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Charter Collaborative, Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, HawaiiKidsCAN, and KIPP Public Schools.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act aims to provide support and resources to educators interested in opening charter schools, streamlining the application process, and promoting innovation in children's education.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-support-development-of-new-charter-schools/