By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-880014.mp3
Frankfort, KY – Inclusion of charter schools possibly could have boosted Kentucky's chances of landing 245-million in federal funds to help rescue persistently, low-achieving schools. Charter schools are publicly funded, but are freed from some state regulations in exchange for greater accountability. But the charter school issue died on a tie vote in the Senate Education committee. That pleases House Education Committee Chairman Carl Rollins, a charter school opponent. "In 17% of the cases, the students do better in charter schools. In 37% of the cases, they do worse than they would in public schools. And in 46% of the cases, there's no significant difference."
After the bill, without charter schools, cleared the Senate, the House quickly passed it 95-0 and sent it to the governor. The state has until Tuesday to apply for federal Race to the Top dollars. The state should receive at least 45-million dollars for just applying.