The committee recommended that the cap remain for two to four years. The panel also suggested limiting the number of charters for schools that serve students at risk of failing or dropping out. Currently, there is no limit on those charters. Former governor and President-elect Bush touted Texas's charter schools on the campaign trail as part of his education reform platform. State Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander said in a government audit on Wednesday that charters should not be limited.
Charter schools receive taxpayer money but operate independently from local school districts.
In the past two years, at least seven have closed because of problems ranging from declining attendance to financial mismanagement to embezzlement. Only 59 percent of charter school students passed a state skills exam in the 1998-99 school year, compared with the state average of 78.4 percent. The committee recommended that teachers at charter schools be required to have bachelor's degrees and undergo criminal background checks, as they must at traditional public schools. State Rep. Mike Krusee, a Republican, disagreed with the recommendations, saying the public supports charter schools. News Jobs AP Shopping Archives Entertain.