[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 70 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUCCESS AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH QUALITY CHARTER SCHOOLS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 10) to amend 
     the Charter School Program under the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Success and 
Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act, a bill that 
strengthens the existing charter schools program while including 
important reforms for accountability and access.
  Public charter schools are an important testing ground for new ideas 
and innovative practices that can benefit our entire school system. 
Today's bill supports the expansion of high quality charter schools 
while making vital improvements to the program to increase oversight 
and access. While current law requires charter schools to be open to 
all students, this bill would encourage enrollment and retention of 
underserved populations like students with disabilities and English 
language learners. It also enhances charter authorizing practices to 
include quality controls for student achievement and management.
  I applaud the Education and Workforce Committee for working in a 
bipartisan fashion to bring this legislation to the Floor. I hope that 
we can apply that same spirit of cooperation to fully reauthorize the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act and improve education for all 
students in every public school.

                          ____________________