The state Board of Education has approved more than 1,000 additional charter school seats for the coming school year, a 12 percent increase.
At the same time, a new education law changes the rules governing charter schools.
The new law requires an annual report describing schools' progress with goals set in their charters, greater financial disclosure and background checks for some employees.
Key changes focus on how the state approves charter schools. The state Board of Education is now authorized to grant an initial certificate of approval, but it does not become a charter until the legislature budgets money for the school.
Supporters of the new law say the legislature is the proper authority, but one critic says politics may become a factor.
