RALEIGH -- An education committee voted to add more charter schools in North Carolina on Wednesday. It's a big victory for supporters who have wanted to add more schools for years.

At the same time, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Charter Schools wants to shut down low-performing charters.

Dr. Thomas Humble runs one of the most successful charter schools in the state. He also sits on the committee.

"We see charter schools as educational laboratories," Dr. Humble said. "Just the chance to do new things with students."

Charter schools are public schools that get some state funding but are allowed to set their own curriculum and are run much like a nonprofit. State law currently limits the number of charter schools to 100.

The N.C. State Board of Education set up the Blue Ribbon Commission to study how charter schools are working 10 years after the first one opened.

"I think there's a need for more charter schools, but as I've stressed over and over and over again, quality is what we really need," explained Jack Moyer, director of charter schools for the Department of Public Instruction.

The committee is the first in the state to ask for an increase in charter schools; more specifically, the committee wants at least six new charter schools each year.

While it has passed the education committee, it still has a long road ahead. It must pass in the General Assembly where it has failed in the past. Republicans generally approve the idea; Democrats generally do not, and Democrats have the numbers.

The good schools are doing better than traditional schools, but more charters are low-performing than traditional schools. The committee also recommended shutting down the low-performing, low-growth schools within two years.

Critics argue that's not fair.

"While they're eager to get rid of low-performing charter schools, it seems they are not very eager to get rid of low-performing district schools, so if we're going to set a high standard for charter schools, we have to have just as high for our district schools," added Terry Stoops, a member of the conservative John Locke Foundation.

"But that's how charters are started, so we're not being more strict," countered Moyer. "It's saying we're asking you to do what you said you were going to do."

The recommendations head to the State Board for a vote next. If it passes there, it will still need approval from lawmakers.