EAU CLAIRE, Wis.—Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to allow independent charter schools throughout Wisconsin and making it easier for the schools to get federal money.

Currently, independent charter schools are allowed only in Milwaukee and Racine. Charter schools elsewhere are overseen by local school boards.

A bill introduced last week by five state representatives would let regional educational agencies and technical college district boards contract with companies or nonprofits to run independent charter schools, The Leader-Telegram, of Eau Claire, reported ( http://bit.ly/1hkPDhZ). Then, if the independent charter schools met certain academic standards, they could create new schools.

The bill also would rename charter schools overseen by local school boards as magnet schools, the term used in most states.

Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said the changes would bring Wisconsin's charter school definition in line with the federal government's and make it easier for the schools to get federal money.

"It's just setting up the language of what we call schools to conform with the rest of the nation ... And then broadening authorizers and then allowing high-performing schools to replicate themselves," Kooyenga said.

The bill is expected to receive several hearings at the Capitol. Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.

Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, said he is concerned about a possible lack of oversight if local school boards have no control over the schools.

Paul Tweed, a teacher and school official at Wildlands School, a charter authorized by the Augusta school district, said he has read the bill but isn't sure how it would affect schools like his. He said the current system gives Wildlands the independence it needs to be creative but allows it to be part of the district, which he likes.

Kooyenga said schools like Wildlands could remain unchanged but be called magnet schools, or they could convert to independent charter schools.

