House passes bipartisan bill that would encourage charter school growth

WASHINGTON – The House has passed a bill supporting charter schools, as part of a GOP-led push to promote school choice.

The bipartisan bill would provide $300 million annually to expand charter schools and consolidate two existing programs. It would provide state grants to expand and replicate high-quality charter schools and help fund the acquisition of buildings for the schools. The bill passed 360 to 45.

Charter schools typically use taxpayer dollars but are run by outside organizations.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools says there are more than 2.5 million students attending more than 6,400 such schools.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has made expanding school choice options a priority.

The National School Boards Association opposed the measure.