The political battle over charter schools heats up in Albany today with the state Senate considering legislation that would more than double the number of charters and require more accountability and oversight.
The proposal — pushed by Senate Democratic Conference leader John Sampson of Brooklyn — would raise the number of charters in the state to 460 from 200.
Supporters say the measure, if it becomes law, would boost New York’s chances of winning up to $700 million in federal Race to the Top funds in a second go-round. State applications are graded in part on whether they lift artificial caps on charter schools — a key education priority of President Obama.
The measure also would require charters — publicly funded but privately managed schools — to enroll special-education students and English-language learners at rates comparable to traditional public schools in their districts.