Practical Hurdles at Play in Pa. Charter-Law Stumble

A recent effort by Pennsylvania officials to re-examine the state's charter school laws highlights the challenges states may face as they try to change the policy and political environment for charters.

In mid-October, lawmakers failed in their regular legislative session to agree on a bill that would have, among other provisions, established a statewide commission to look at charter school finance. Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, expressed his desire to sign such a measure and previously had said charter reform was a priority this fall.

Ultimately, a GOP partisan advantage in the state government did not help charter advocates, who are clamoring for an overhaul of Pennsylvania's charter law, which...