By Andy Sher

NASHVILLE — Legislation expanding the number of children eligible to attend charter schools kicked into high gear this morning.

A compromise bill passed the House Education Committee on a voice vote and the bill was to be hurriedly moved through other committees.

Lawmakers acted at least in part to prevent loss of $100 million in federal stimulus money to encourage educational innovation. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Monday threatened to deny the money to Tennessee because lawmakers had failed to liberalize charter school laws.

Sponsor Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said the compromise would allow students eligible for the free-and-reduced lunch program to attend charter schools in systems with at least 14,000 students and at least three schools on a high-priority list of failing schools.

The description includes six school systems including Hamilton County Schools, where Superintendent Jim Scales is opposed to liberalizing the current law. Two charter schools are licensed to begin operating in Hamilton County this year.

See Thursday’s Times Free Press for complete coverage.