HB1504: Expanding Public Charter Schools (Updated)

HB1504 is being debated now on the floor. I'll update the vote in a moment. I'm voting against it for several reasons, including:

(1) Section 15 could exhaust the start-up grant funding provided by the USDOE;
(2) Additional transportation costs would be incurred by the state;
(3) We're having enough trouble providing an adequate education for our public schools -- we're going to wear ourselves too thin; and
(4) Recent statistics show that test scores have been lower for charter school students compared to their public school counterparts.

In Arkansas, 12 charter schools were initially allowed in the early 1990's (3 per congressional district). That was expanded to 24 in 2005, even though only 8 were in existence at that time. Many people are voting against it on the basis that demand is not pushing the supply as much as political forces are expanding the supply.

Update (2:25 p.m.): The bill failed by a vote of 43-49. Here's the roll call:



Update (2:40 p.m.): Pursuant to House Rule 25, notice was given to move for reconsideration of the bill by Rep. Lenville Evans. By the same rule, it must be brought back up for a vote within three legislative days. The Rule also says that today (the 57th day) is the last day for notice of reconsideration of a bill.