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US House declares support for charter schools

Republicans and Democrats in the House united Wednesday to declare their strong support for charter schools, pointing out that the waiting list nationwide to get into them has reached 920,000.

“Recent news highlights the challenges the charter school model faces,” said Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), chairman of the House Education Committee, referring to the war over charters in New York City.

Kline said Congress must support charters as a “valuable alternative to failing public schools.”

“For many children and their parents, charter schools are a beacon of hope for a better education,” he added.

“We cannot make these families wait any longer for the education their children need and deserve.”

The ranking Democrat on the panel also voiced his support.

“In many ways, charter schools have been teaching us what is possible when it comes to educating kids — and their work helps break down many of the stereotypes that all too often plague kids who happen to be on the wrong side of the ZIP code,” said Rep. George Miller (Calif.).