Charter School Bill Gets Preliminary Approval

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Larry Hogan's charter school bill is advancing in the House of Delegates.

On Thursday the House education subcommittee voted 10-1 to move the measure to a vote by the full Ways and Means Committee.

The bill came to the House heavily amended by the Senate. In an interview with The Associated Press, Hogan said the changes "gutted" his bill.

The House subcommittee accepted several amendments to the bill, including one that would postpone a study on school funding, and another that prevents a decision regarding enrollment and geographic lotteries from being appealed to the state board of education.

Among the 10 Senate amendments is requiring charter school teachers to have the same certifications as traditional public school teachers, and keeps most chartering authority at the local level.

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