North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue on Friday signed a bill lifting the statewide cap on charter schools.

The measure is viewed as a victory for parents who want more educational options for their children.

A charter school is funded by taxpayers but is allowed to operate independently of the rules that govern most public schools. Under the old law, charter schools in North Carolina were capped at no more than 100.

A group calling itself Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina praised the move.

“The signing of this charter measure lays the foundation for the eventual end result for every child, regardless of their income or address, to have a real opportunity to receive a good, sound education in North Carolina,” group president Darrell Allison said in a statement.

Opponents of the move, including some teachers groups, had long argued that charter schools would hurt traditional public schools. But a compromise measure passed overwhelming -- unanimously in the Senate and by a 108-5 margin in the House.

“This bill will allow for more choices in our education system and for the growth of charter schools while still keeping the authority for making decisions where it belongs – with the State Board of Education,” Perdue said in a statement.

Charter school must be approved by the State Board of Education and must meet performance standards to stay open.

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