Indiana lawmakers OK bill to expand charter schools

A bill aimed at spurring more charter schools in Indiana has cleared its final legislative hurdle, marking another piece of Gov. Mitch Daniels' aggressive education agenda to pass.

The Indiana House voted 61-37 for Daniels' proposal to expand charter schools, which are public schools free of many state regulations. The bill allows more entities to authorize charter schools and lets charter schools cheaply buy unused buildings owned by traditional school corporations. The bill also increases accountability rules for charters.

Supporters said more charter schools would mean more options for Indiana parents looking for the best education for their children. But opponents say the state has limited money for education, and that spreading the funds to more schools means less for traditional public schools.