Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to open more charter schools by shifting power from local school boards to the Virginia Board of Education, which would screen applications and have the authority to overrule local decisions.
Final approval on charter schools -- public schools that have some autonomy from state and local regulations -- currently rests with local school boards, which proponents say contributes to Virginia's low number.
The state has three charter schools, with a fourth slated to open in Richmond this year.
McDonnell's proposals to loosen charter school laws, as well as establish virtual school programs and college partnership schools, are slated to be introduced today and carried by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
Standing alongside former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who backed the charter push, McDonnell said "the system's broken."
"We've got four schools in 12 years," McDonnell said. "We've got the worst laws in the country. We've got $350 million that hedges on us improving our system. My goal and my job as governor is to help improve the climate so more of these can get approved, but ultimately it will be up to the efforts of the local community."
The state has requested $350 million through the Obama administration's Race to the Top competitive grant program, which encourages high-quality charter schools.
The alternative public schools are established through an agreement with the local school board. Often, they offer a specialized curriculum.
But in Virginia, there is a question as to whether a constitutional amendment would be necessary to address the role of local school boards in authorizing charter schools. McDonnell acknowledged that there will be debate on that point.
"I believe that some of the advice that we've gotten that says this is constitutional is accurate," he said.
For more on this story, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.
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