"MS Charter School Act of 2013"; revise to include public universities and community and junior colleges as charter school authorizers.
This legislative change impacts the governance of charter schools in Mississippi by enabling a broader range of institutions to authorize charter school applications. Public universities and colleges will have the same authority as the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board to review applications, monitor performance, and revoke charters if necessary. This shift could lead to an increase in charter school options for students, particularly in underserved areas, as more institutions are empowered to address local educational needs.
House Bill 1194 aims to amend various sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 related to charter schools. Specifically, the bill provides public universities and public community and junior colleges with the authority to serve as charter school authorizers. This change is significant as it expands the scope of authorizers beyond just the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board, thus allowing for more diverse oversight and potentially increasing the number of charter schools in the state. By decentralizing the authorizing power, the bill is intended to foster innovation in the educational landscape of Mississippi.
Notably, the bill has been met with both support and opposition. Proponents argue that encouraging public universities and colleges to act as authorizers can lead to enhanced curricular offerings and increased accountability through a competitive authorizing process. Conversely, opponents raise concerns about quality control and the potential dilution of oversight if too many entities are granted authorizing powers. They fear that without sufficient regulatory frameworks, the charter schools established under this model may not uphold educational standards, ultimately affecting student outcomes.