[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CHARTER SCHOOL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT SMITH

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2616) to 
     amend titles VI and X of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 to improve and expand charter schools:

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer additional 
comments regarding an amendment I offered to the Charter Schools 
Amendments Act of 1997 that will enable Oregon to continue its efforts 
to give students and parents broad choices in public education.
  I would like to thank the Chairman of the Committee on Education and 
the Workforce, Mr. Goodling, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Early Childhood, Youth and Families, Mr. Riggs,  for their work in 
bringing this important legislation before us today.
  I also appreciate the work of my colleague from Oregon, Ms. Hooley, 
for her hard work on this issue. I want to thank her for her efforts.
  Charter schools are innovative public schools that are held 
accountable for academic results in exchange for freedom from 
burdensome regulations. The Charter Schools Amendment Act will 
carefully target funding for the Federal Public Charter Schools 
Program.
  Currently, Oregon has implemented the charter school concept under 
enabling State statutes. This State legislation gives local school 
boards broad authority to establish new schools or restructure existing 
schools to be innovative and flexible in the way they educate children. 
However, my home State of Oregon does not have a specific charter 
school law.
  Therefore, under this bill, Oregon, which this year received the 
final year of a 3-year Federal Public Charter Schools Program grant, 
would be ineligible for continued funding.
  Mr. Chairman, my amendment simply makes it clear that States, which 
have received a 3-year grant, are not prohibited from receiving a 2-
year grant extension. This amendment would extend Oregon's eligibility 
until 1999, when our State legislature, which meets every 2 years, 
convenes again and has the opportunity to pass a specific State charter 
school law.
  My amendment will enable the State of Oregon to apply for continued 
support to provide creative, flexible educational options for students 
and families.




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