Latest News, WV Press Videos

W.Va. Senate passes charter schools measure

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After nearly two hours of debate, the state Senate passed a bill that will enable public charter schools in West Virginia. The vote fell exactly along party lines, 18-16.

Charter schools draw public funds from county-run schools, as the money follows the student. Students are chosen by a “lottery” method in typical charter schools; however, Democrats on the Committee on Education were able to amend the bill so that every student is “opted in” to a charter school.

 The bill had several amendments, including allowing teachers to have PEIA, barring hate groups from establishing charter schools and eliminating a public charter school board of education. Public charter schools will be under the auspices of the State Board of Education.

Proponents of the bill says charter schools give parents a choice in their child’s education.

While Democrats were on the losing end of this vote, it didn’t stop them from voicing opposition to the bill in hopes of swaying a GOP vote.

Former chair of the Education Committee, Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, said he believes charter schools will ultimately become private institutions.

Plymale said schools in his district are using the Innovation Zone, a change to state education just enacted by the Legislature two years ago.

“We should be allowed to go through the process…

 

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address