A bill cracking down on low-performing Ohio charter schools and imposing a host of new accountability standards on sponsors could hit the House floor before lawmakers leave for spring break.
A vote may come Thursday, following approval Wednesday by a House committee.
The legislation requires additional financial, enrollment and attendance reporting from charter school sponsors and requires members of governing boards to file annual conflict-of-interest statements, among many other changes. The measure also prohibits low-performing schools from getting new sponsors.
The proposed reforms follow a study that found Ohio charter schools’ performance results are mediocre and their students, on average, lag behind those of traditional schools.
Backers say the bill begins to address Ohio’s inadequate regulations. Detractors wanted added restrictions on operating companies.