Iowa Charter School Bill Approved in House

Education is extremely important, and more options for parents to educate their children could be made available thanks to a new bill that was just approved in the Iowa House.

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According to KCCI, a bill passed in the Iowa House Thursday that would make it easier for charter schools to be established in Iowa. What's a charter school, you ask? In case you're wondering, a charter school is defined by PublicCharters.org as an "independently-operated public school that has the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs." Classrooms in these schools are designed to meet each student's needs and "provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child's education."

The report states that the new bill would allow a "founding group to apply directly to the state board to establish a charter school". Right now, charter schools can only be established by getting approval and oversight from their local school district, according to EducateIowa.gov. Basically, this new bill would make it easier for schools to establish charters.

Supporters of the bill love that it gives parents more of a choice when it comes to their child's education. Those that oppose the bill think it would "take important resources from Iowa schools."

KCCI reports that the bill passed in a 55-40 vote in the House and is now headed to the Iowa Senate. Considering the Senate previously approved a "broader education package" giving parents more of a choice for schools, the new bill stands a good chance of passing.