Luke Messer: “I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership on this bill. I rise today to offer a simple…”

“I want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership on this bill. I rise today to offer a simple amendment that will encourage the opening, replication, and expansion of high quality secondary charter schools. Too many students don't have the chance to attend the secondary charter school of their choice because there simply are not enough of these schools to meet the demand for them. Many charter networks don't have a secondary school, and where there are such schools the demand for the spots in these schools exceeds the number of slots available. The underlying bill takes a big step in the right direction to meet this challenge by clarifying that State-determined weighted lotteries are permitted under the charter school program. The bill allows for children to continue in the school program of their choice by ensuring students in affiliated charter schools can attend the next immediate grade in a charter school network. This is very important. It will help alleviate the need for students to essentially win the lottery twice. However, I believe more can and must be done. My amendment is designed to help build on the progress made by the underlying bill. It would simply require State entities applying for charter school program grant funds to explain how they will work with eligible applicants within the State to encourage the opening, replication, and expansion of high quality secondary charter schools.…”