Juan Ciscomani Introduces Bill Improving Charter Schools

Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is introducing legislation to improve charter schools' facilities, as many of these organizations lack proper funding.

As Rep. Ciscomani explained in a press release, charter schools do not have direct access to local property tax dollars and are not guaranteed access to school buildings.

Hence, charter schools are often located in church basements, former storefronts, or other buildings that are not suitable for an educational setting.

Rep. Ciscomani's Equitable Access to School Facilities Act remedies the problem by expanding the eligibility of programs under the State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG) and allowing state entity (SE) funds to be used for more facilities-related needs than currently permitted.

"I'm proud to introduce this piece of legislation to show my support for school choice, and to help Arizona continue to excel in education," the Arizona congressman said in a statement. "As a father of six young children, I know firsthand the importance of proper school amenities and access to often slim resources. Arizona is a pioneer in school choice, and we strive to make all education options good options."

Ciscomani previously introduced the Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield (HEADWAY) Act last January, which allows teachers in Early Head Start programs to work while earning Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials, which affords Early Head Start programs greater hiring flexibility and reducing the shortage in educators.

In September, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced the Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act, which flips the current Title I education funding system in favor of a direct-to-parent system, where funds can be used for private school tuition, charter school fees, or other approved educational expenses.

Rep. Biggs said, "Arizona is a leader in school choice. Parents know what is best for their children, not the government... I will always fight to limit the federal government's control over our students."