Walker says he likes direction of school bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker says he likes the direction Assembly Republicans are taking with a bill that would force failing public schools to close and reopen as independent charter schools.

Walker was asked Thursday about his opinion on the bill introduced Wednesday as the first measure of the 2015 legislative session.

Walker says there are "some things we can embrace" in the proposal, while also saying there could be changes.

He says his priority is ensuring there is a system that produces an objective measure for parents to determine what school they want to choose for their children.

Walker says he will talk more about the issue in his State of the State speech on Tuesday.

But he says he's optimistic an agreement can be reached after years of stalemate.