[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          H.R. 2616, THE CHARTER SCHOOL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                           HON. PATSY T. MINK

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 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:


  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 
2616, the Charter Schools Amendments Act of 1997. This bill which 
purports to expand charter school funding in fact limits Federal 
funding opportunities for charter school projects in many States that 
do not meet the prescriptive ``priorities'' set forth in this bill.
  Under H.R. 2616 half of the funding and eventually all of it will be 
given only to those States with laws which promote charter schools to 
the greatest extend. In order to be considered for funding, State laws 
must meet the following criteria: (1) encourage the highest degree of 
flexibility for charter schools; (2) allow for the increase of charter 
schools each year, and (3) require a periodic review and evaluation. 
Those States which do not meet these criteria, including my State, will 
actually find it more difficult to qualify for Federal funds than under 
the current system.
  States will be forced to change their State charter schools laws to 
specifically in order to tap into Federal resources.
  It is simply inconceivable to me that this bill was crafted by the 
same Republican Majority which harangues about local control of 
education day in and day out in this Congress. This bill flies directly 
in the face of local control, by unabashedly attempting to influence 
State law to encourage the highest degree of flexibility within their 
charter schools and increase charter schools at a rapid pace.
  As a supporter of real local control over our education system, I 
cannot support this bill.
  The supporters of this bill have offered no evidence that there are 
any problems with the Federal charter schools grant program as it 
currently exists. This bill simply seeks to reward states that pursue 
the most aggressive and radical approach to charter schools.
  This I believe is a serious mistake. Charter schools are a fairly new 
type of player in our education system. States and school districts 
should be free to experiment and implement this new type of school. 
However, the role of the Federal Government should not be to encourage 
one type of reform over another.
  Furthermore, studies are mixed at best as to whether charter schools 
improve academic performance. Many serious problems have been raised in 
those States which have proceeded rapidly in establishing charter 
schools, including problems involving discrimination, accountability of 
public dollars, fiscal stability, and services to children with 
disabilities.
  The current Federal charter school program provides for an evaluation 
and assessment of charter schools. This will be a helpful study for 
school districts and States in determining whether charter schools are 
improving academic achievement and improving the overall school system. 
It is premature and unwise to make these significant changes to the 
Federal charter school program without the benefit of the national 
evaluation.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation will hinder efforts in my State to move 
forward on charter schools at their own pace, taking into consideration 
local issues that arise with respect to moving forward on charter 
schools. This is an unfair bill that borders on real intrusion in local 
education efforts, I urge my colleagues to vote against it.

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