Patrick wants more charter schools

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick wants to more than triple the number of charter school seats in the state's worst-performing districts.

A proposal released Thursday would increase the number of charter seats in the lowest scoring districts from 10,000 to more than 37,000.

The bill also requires charter school operators to work to recruit students who are poor, English language learners, at risk of dropping out or who receive special education.

The proposal comes as President Obama is threatening to withhold millions in federal stimulus dollars from states that hinder charter school growth.

Patrick has been skeptical of charter school expansion in the past.

Charter advocates say the schools foster innovation, but critics say they siphon off resources from local school districts.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)