At the time of my previous post, the charter school bill (SB2) was in the hands of the conference committee to work out a combined version. The conference version raises the charter cap over time and changes the processes for authorizing and closing charters, among other provisions. Last night, the conference committee report passed the Texas Senate 28-3 and the Texas House 105-41. Next, the bill goes to Governor Rick Perry. Coverage:
- “Major Education Bills Headed to Governor’s Desk”, Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune, May 26, 2013
- “Legislature OKs major testing, charter school bill”, Will Weissert (AP), Houston Chronicle, May 26, 2013
- “Legislature OKs bills expanding Texas charter schools, cutting high-stakes tests”, Terrence Stutz, Dallas Morning News, May 27, 2013
- “Two Big Education Bills Gain Approval from Texas Legislature”, Kate McGee, KUT News, May 27, 2013
A recent op-ed in favor of SB2: “Wohlgemuth: Charter school bill is step in right direction”, Arlene Wohlgemuth (Texas Public Policy Foundation), Austin American-Statesman, May 26, 2013.