Texas House Committee Evaluates Charter Schools

By: Associated Press Email

Posted: Fri 9:51 AM, Feb 17, 2012

The Texas House Public Education committee is gathering to discuss the success and failure of charter schools statewide.

Members on Friday were evaluating what works at the best charter schools and how those lessons can be applied to charter schools that aren't successful.

Charter schools were first approved in Texas in 1995 and are allowed to operate with fewer legal restrictions than regular public schools so as to allow for innovation.

Current law caps the number of open-enrollment charter schools in the state at 215.

Some Republicans have clamored for the number to be increased. But critics point to existing charter schools that are struggling with low student and teacher performance and argue existing charter schools should be approved before new ones are allowed.

Shark Attacks Teen at Surfside Beach

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html

Texas House Committee Evaluates Charter Schools

AP Video