State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said today he supports the idea of allowing more entities to authorize charter schools, a responsibility currently only held by his department. The Senate Education Committee today took testimony from Schundler on a bill (S-2198) that would also give Rutgers University the ability to authorize the creation of charter schools and the authority to regulate them. Schundler said he generally supports the idea, but the Department of Education should have a choice of who it wants to select as an alternate authorizer.

“We do support multiple authorizers. We think the best approach, rather than simply designating a higher education institution, may be to have institutions that are interested submit a proposal,” he said.

Schundler said the legislation would not increase the amount of charter schools in New Jersey, since there currently is no longer a cap on how many are allowed. But it would help take some of the burden off the Department of Education.

“We’re believers in choice and competition,” said Schundler. Read more in Star Ledger.