Washington, D.C.– The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation today that would modernize and streamline existing charter school programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03), co-chair of the Charter School Caucus, voted in favor of the bill, the Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act.

“Minnesota is a leader in innovation for education, and charter schools play an integral role in that success,” said Paulsen. “By replicating what works in our high-performing schools, we can ensure more students have an opportunity to succeed. A zip code should not determine whether a child gets a quality education.”

The Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act, H.R. 10, consolidates and reforms two federal programs, the Charter School Program and the Charter School Credit Enhancement Program, to focus on replicating the success of high-performing charter schools. The bill also allows the Secretary of Education to operate a grant program for states that did not win or compete for a state grant. H.R. 10 passed with broad bipartisan support and was praised in a recent Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial.

Last week, Congressman Paulsen visited Beacon Preparatory School in Bloomington to observe students, teachers, and administrators in an innovative charter school setting. During debate of the bill, Paulsen spoke on the floor in favor the legislation. Video is available here.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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