South Carolina Senate approves charter school bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate has approved a bill designed to boost the growth of charter schools statewide.

The Senate voted 39-2 Wednesday on a bill that Superintendent Mick Zais calls his top legislative priority. The amended measure returns to the House, which approved its version last year.

The bill gives more options for charter schools to form, including sponsorship by a university, and allows for boys-only and girls-only schools.

It also requires traditional schools to give charter students access to sports and other extracurricular activities that their schools don’t offer.

South Carolina has 17,000 students in 47 charter schools. They are public schools overseen by a board of parents, teachers and community members, rather than a district board. They’re also subject to fewer government regulations than traditional public schools.