AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 457, by Senator Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels:

“I promised to fight for facilities funding for public charter schools and today the Senate passed SB 457, which increases the facility funding program and will benefit all public schools, both public and charter. This legislation addresses a long time funding inequity between charter and other public schools.

“US News & World Report recently ranked the 25 best high schools in Texas and 12 of them are charters. Charter schools serve approximately 250,000 students in Texas and there are over 141,000 students currently on charter school wait lists. Sixty-seven percent of charter school students are economically disadvantaged, compared to 57% in traditional school districts. Twenty-four percent of charter school students are African American, compared to 7% in traditional school districts and 51% are Hispanic compared to 39% in traditional school districts.

“Charter schools in Texas have proved over the past two decades that they are an essential, innovative component of our educational system and that they can do more with less funding. I congratulate Sen. Campbell on her leadership on this important issue.”