John Kline: “This amendment would require the Secretary of Education to not only develop, but also enforce, guidelines on conflict of…”

“This amendment would require the Secretary of Education to not only develop, but also enforce, guidelines on conflict of interest for charter schools. The gentlewoman points out that there are charter schools and charter school managers who sometimes don't perform as they should. We believe very strongly that the underlying law and that the underlying bill here addresses that issue, because this amendment is an overreach of Federal authority. Each State that allows charter schools has determined what requirements the schools must follow in creating, opening, and operating the schools. We address the authorizing responsibilities in the underlying bill. Simply put, this amendment is unnecessary. The underlying bill includes several provisions to have States help schools run more effectively and includes a set-aside of each State grant for quality authorizing. Quality authorizing will help each charter school run more effectively, both in academics and in operations. We do not need the Secretary of Education getting more involved in these schools by layering on more burdensome requirements. These are issues best addressed at the State and local level, and the underlying bill already provides support for these efforts. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).…”