A group of Massachusetts senators have introduced a reform bill that will further support charter schools in the state.

Called the Reform, Innovation, and Success in Education Act, "creates a brand new class of charter schools by incorporating a 'smart cap.' Charter schools serving high-risk populations—which include students who have dropped out and are returning to school, are pregnant or raising families or who are homeless—will not have a limit on the number of enrollment seats,” according to Boston.com.

“The new Senate bill also increases the share of a low-performing district’s budget that can go to charter schools. The current cap on funding is set at 18 percent, and it will increase by 0.5 percentage points each year until it reaches a maximum of 23 percent.”

While the bill is supportive of continuing charter school growth in the state, it also aims to ensure that public schools aren’t losing in the process.

"The new Senate bill also increases the share of a low-performing district’s budget that can go to charter schools. The current cap on funding is set at 18 percent, and it will increase by 0.5 percentage points each year until it reaches a maximum of 23 percent.”

The bill is particularly innovative because under it, children would be in a system that would allow them to equally chose between public and charter school.

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Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

4/1/2016