House Passes Charter School Expansion, 87-27

On Wednesday morning the House passed a bill backed by Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, to expand high-performing charter schools and would give them the ability to apply for charters for up to as many as 15 years. Stargels bill passed, 87-27.

The reason I like this bill is it allows us to copy success, said Rep. Daniel Davis, R-Jacksonville. We are able to emulate the good charter schools. We are able to expand them.

Democrats spoke against the proposal, arguing that the Legislature should focus on improving other public schools.

This bill takes away from the traditional public school and gives an unfair advantage to charter schools, said Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami. We should focus on turning schools around instead of expanding charter schools.

I commend Representative Stargel for sponsoring this legislation which promotes school choice and allows parents to make informed decisions about their childrens educational future, said House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park. School choice is a vital component of our education system for parents who want to ensure their child receives a quality education in a learning environment that is best-suited to his or her individual needs.