Michigan State Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Twp.) was a guest today on a Citadel Lansing podcast, where he discussed Senate Bill 619, which if passed would blow the cap off of online charter schools, greatly expanding school options for all students in the state. 

"We are leaving it in the hands of the parents," said Sen. Colbeck on the legislation's goal.  "We are moving [the cap] from some arbitrary bureaucrat back up in Lansing, saying, 'here's how many you are allowed to have' to providing parents with unlimited choices if they choose to pursue cyber schools as an option for their kids"

Currently, Michigan's two cyber charter schools are capped at 400 general students, but can accept up to 1,000 students if they accept 1 drop-out student for every general student who enrolls.  S.B. 619 hopes to lift these restrictions, giving all students the opportunity to take advantage of an individualized education that works for their needs, should they choose it.

The legislation is expected to be taken up by the Michigan House Education Committee tomorrow morning.