CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate Education Committee has started work on legislation opening West Virginia to public charter schools. Committee members heard a detailed discussion of SB 14 Thursday afternoon, but put off discussion until next week.
Bill supporters argue West Virginia school students continue lag behind the rest of the nation. They want to give parents, teachers and community leaders the option to create schools that operate independently of local boards. In return for the flexibility, charter schools are expected to produce better results, especially with minority students and children from poor families.
Under the bill, charters would be issued to schools for five year terms. They would be publicly funded, open to all students and governed by a nine-member board of parents, teachers, the school principal, a school service worker, a representative of business and a person with knowledge of finance.
Charter schools would be subject to the same student assessment and accreditation requirements as non-charter schools.
The proposal is controversial. At a public hearing Wednesday night speakers were split down the middle on the merits of charter schools. The state’s two teacher unions are adamantly opposed to the bill.
West Virginia is one of eight states that does not allow charter schools.