Patrick Expects Quick Passage Of Education Bill

Gov. Deval Patrick speaks to reporters on Thursday about the education reform bill, which cleared the House of Representatives late Wednesday night. (WBUR)

Gov. Deval Patrick is confident that lawmakers will approve a sweeping education reform bill in a matter of days.

The governor said both sides have made compromises on the education reform bill that the House approved early Thursday morning. Patrick expects a conference committee will work out the differences with the Senate version and have a bill for him to sign in a week.

“We’ve got the bones for not just a good, but a great final bill,” Patrick told reporters Thursday in his office. “I feel pretty good that we’re gonna get a final bill and get one quickly.”

The bill lifts the cap on charter schools in under-performing school districts and seeks to address the achievement gap between white and non-white students. The legislation must be in place by Jan. 19 so the state can apply for federal education stimulus dollars.