Pearce: Charter Schools Provide Opportunities, School Choice For Thousands of New Mexico Families

Press Release

Today, Congressman Steve Pearce voted in favor of H.R. 10, the Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act, a bill to reauthorize and modernize the charter schools program that has provided millions of American families, and 20,000 New Mexican children, with choice in quality educational opportunities.

"This bipartisan bill provides incentives for the creation and expansion of quality charter schools," said Congressman Steve Pearce. "Charter schools provide opportunities and school choice for thousands of New Mexico families. I fully support this legislation that helps communities and schools thrive and excel."

H.R. 10, which passed 360-45, increases flexibility for the use of federal grants to be used to expand and improve existing charter schools, as well as create new, high-quality charter schools. In addition, this legislation increases authorized funds eligible for federal charter school grants from $250 million a year to $300 million.

Pearce recently visited La Academia Delores Huerta and New Americas schools, two charter schools in Las Cruces, where he gained first-hand insight into the successful outcomes of charter schools in New Mexico. New Mexico has 98 charter schools that currently serve 20,000 students. May 4-10 is National Charter Schools Week.

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