Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and 20 other Republicans are fighting Biden administration changes that they say would hurt independent Charter Schools and limit “school choice” options.
The Republicans are backing Congressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify the Biden changes.
The controversy surrounds the Department of Education’s planned overhaul of the 28-year-old, bipartisan Charter School Program (CSP). Charter Schools are publicly-funded but independently run. Many families support the idea of Charter Schools because the schools can operate outside the rules and limits of normal public schools, and offer another “free” option for students.
However, teacher’s unions and others who oppose school choice typically do not approve of Charter Schools.
The Biden administration’s new changes would place federal, one-size-fits-all requirements on Charter Schools, say critics, making it difficult — if not impossible — for many of them to receive funds.
Despite substantial bipartisan backlash to its proposals, the administration is said to be moving ahead with plans. Opponents claim it the change will strip families of education choice and give more power to bureaucrats in DC.
The full text of the proposed legislation can be found here and below:
BOM22529 2YM
S.L.C.
117TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION
S. J. RES.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ‘‘Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria-Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Pro- gram (CSP)-Grants to State Entities (State Entity Grants); Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants); and Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools and for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (Devel- oper Grants)’’.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. BURR, Mr. CASSIDY, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. BRAUN, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. TILLIS, Mr. CRAMER, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. SCOTT of Florida, Mr. DAINES, Mrs. BLACKBURN, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. RISCH, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. HAGERTY, Mr. WICKER, Mr. YOUNG, and Mrs. HYDE-SMITH) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
_____________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ‘‘Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria- Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to State Entities (State Entity Grants); Grants to Charter Management Organizations
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BOM22529 2YM
S.L.C. 2
for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (CMO Grants); and Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools and for the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools (Developer Grants)’’.
- Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
- of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
- That Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the De-
- partment of Education relating to ‘‘Final Priorities, Re-
- quirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria-Expanding
- Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program
- (CSP)-Grants to State Entities (State Entity Grants);
- Grants to Charter Management Organizations for the
- Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter
- Schools (CMO Grants); and Grants to Charter School De-
- velopers for the Opening of New Charter Schools and for
- the Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter
- Schools (Developer Grants)’’ (87 Fed. Reg. 40406; pub-
- lished July 6, 2022), and such rule shall have no force
- or effect.
