Lawmakers in the North Carolina House passed a bill Wednesday that would streamline the process of approving new charter schools in the state. The vote was 75-42, with four Democrats joining Republicans in supporting the measure.
Under the current system, new public charters must first be authorized by the Charter Schools Advisory Board and then receive a majority vote from the State Board of Education. House Bill 618 would create a new Charter School Review Board responsible for evaluating and approving new charters.
In some recent instances, the State Board of Education has voted to down turn charter school authorizations that had been recommended.
More than 77,000 children remain on waitlists for charters.
The bill now heads to the Senate.