The state of Ohio has made a step in the right direction when it comes to cracking down on low performing charter schools.

The Ohio House on Thursday approved a bill that calls for additional financial, enrollment and attendance reporting from charter school sponsors and requires members of governing boards to file annual conflict-of-interest statements, among many other changes. The measure also prohibits low-performing schools from getting new sponsors.

It is clear by the voting numbers — 70-25 — members of the House are ready to require extra scrutiny for those charter operators providing education to the state’s children.

The bill will next head to the Ohio Senate and we urge those legislators to vote in favor of the much-needed overhaul.

After all, the Ohio charter school system receives about $1 billion in public funding and serves more than 120,000 students. With that kind of funding, legislators must ensure charter schools performing on a more than mediocre scale.

The Senate must follow suit and amend House Bill 2 to ensure children are getting a proper education and charter schools are held accountable for the manner in which they spend our money.