By Ashleigh Costello
EAGnews.org

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Tuesday the Missouri legislature approved Senate Bill 576, which would allow the expansion of charter schools into public school districts that lose state accreditation due to failure to meet basic academic standards.

This could be a big step for the state, which passed its original charter school law in 1998.  Gov. Jay Nixon has until July 14 to act on the legislation.  If signed, the bill would take effect August 28, reports stltoday.com.

MORE NEWS: From Classroom to Consulate Chef: Culinary Student Lands Dream Job at U.S. Embassy in Paris

The approval of the bill could have an immediate impact on the Riverview Gardens School District, which has been unaccredited since 2007. Jeff Weiner, a 1977 graduate of Riverview Gardens High School, hopes to open a charter school in the area pending Gov. Nixon’s decision.

The Missouri bill also aims to guarantee academic success in charter schools.  Under SB 576, each charter school would be required to have a sponsoring organization.  The role of sponsors would be to provide additional oversight and adequate financing, and set goals for attendance, academic progress and graduation rates.

Rep. Tishaura Jones, D-St. Louis, who worked closely on the bill with Republican leaders, says “(the bill) takes a huge step forward to holding schools accountable,” according to the news site.

Others would have preferred fewer legal caveats to charter expansion in the bill.  Joe Knodell, lobbyist for the Missouri Education Reform Council, calls the bill “charter school light,” but acknowledges, “it’s better than nothing.”

The popularity of charter schools has increased immensely d over the last decade, despite constant attempts by Big Labor to discredit them.  Last month the Obama administration designated $50 million in funding to replicate high-performing charter schools.

Charter schools tend to fare so well because they are free from the constraints imposed by teacher unions and collective bargaining.  For instance, principals in many charter schools have the ability to manage their own budgets and staff.  That means the principal retains the right to hire or fire anyone based on performance, without any union interference.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

Unions claim that, as a group, charter students perform no better that their traditional school counterparts.  But studies show students often do better the longer they stay in charter schools.  And most importantly, millions of parents have chosen to send their children to charters, a strong indication that they’re doing something right.

Families deserve educational options, even in areas where traditional schools are doing just fine.  It’s about time Missouri lawmakers get out of the way and allow them to expand and catch up with public demand.