For Immediate Release: May 26, 2010

SENATE ADVANCES CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA
Coffee authors legislation to increase charter schools in state

Parents and students throughout Oklahoma will have more choice in Oklahoma’s education system, as House Bill 2753, authored by President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, passed the Senate with a bipartisan majority vote of 36-11.

HB 2753 provides for growth and reform in educating Oklahoma’s next generation by enacting many charter school provisions. Coffee said our state has made a positive step in challenging Oklahoma students to excel.

“Charter schools have proven throughout the years to be great catalysts in advancing student achievement,” said Coffee. “HB 2753 will create a fertile climate for additional learning experiences that will in turn strengthen Oklahoma’s education system.”

The provisions in HB 2753 include:

Authorizes sponsorship of charter schools by school districts, technology center school districts, and comprehensive or regional institutions in the State System of Higher Education, if the charter school is located in a school district which has a school site on the school improvement list.

Authorizes sponsorship of a charter school by the State Board of Education if the applicant of the charter school is the Office of Juvenile Affairs for the purpose of providing education services to youth in the custody or supervision of OJA.

Provides preference for enrollment at charter schools created after the effective date for eligible students who reside in the school district boundaries and who attend a school improvement site.

Specifies that administrative service fees of up to 5% retained by sponsors of charter schools shall only be assessed on State Aid allocations and not on any other appropriated

For more information, contact:
Sen. Coffee: (405) 521-5636