Pilot Charter School moves to State House 02/24/10 (audio)
Air Date:02/24/2010
By Eryn Clement
A bill that allows for the establishment of a pilot charter school if the Department of Education receives a federal grant passed the House Education committee Wednesday.
If the money is granted, the department receives 73 million dollars over a four year period which helps launch the charter school.
The pilot charter school has been called a creative approach to working with students by supporters of Senate bill 63. Anyone can apply to attend the school, but it's aimed towards Native American students. Opponents of the charter school are concerned where the funding will come from after the grant money runs out. Supporters say they foresee a few different opportunities to receive additional funding. Tom Oster is the Secretary for the Department of Education. He says a charter school may help more students succeed.
“We are failing students at a rate that’s unbelievable. And if we don’t try something that’s outside of the box, a little bit different, we are going to be in the same place ten years from now that we are today and we’re going to be asking the question why,” says Oster.
The bill passed eleven to two and now moves to the State House for further debate.
Member stations can download the audio file here.