Ohio lawmakers have seemingly reached a bipartisan agreement on charter school reform. The measure is meant to bring more transparency and accountability to the state’s troubled charter system. And leaders say it’s just in time.
The federal government recently announced Ohio would receive a $71 million grant for its charter schools. The news comes just months after the state’s school choice director resigned after erasing failing grades from sponsor evaluations.
Republican Senator Peggy Lehner of Kettering has spearheaded this reform issue in the Senate. She says the state plans to talk to federal officials and discuss the conditions of the grant.
“They’re watching and I think the fact that this bill did pass today even though I think it would’ve passed anyway is certainly going to be an important signal to Washington that we’re serious about this,” Lehner said.
The bill is expected to get a full Senate and House vote this week.
