Darrell Allison, of PEFNC, speaks to supporters at a rally in front of the Capitol building Monday.

RALEIGH – Some North Carolina families say they want more state-sponsored education opportunities for their children.

The group Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina gathered in Raleigh Monday. With the state Capitol as a backdrop, they asked state lawmakers to figure out a way to expand educational opportunities in the state.

"The difference is that we allow and open up the door for more options to be allowed and supported by state so that parents have the right to choose the education that best fits the needs of their children," Darrell Allison, of PEFNC, said.

The group is pushing for an expansion in charter schools. Right now, North Carolina law limits the number of these state-funded schools at 100. But a bill sponsored by Democratic Cumberland County Rep. Marvin Lucas would increase that number to 106.

"At the same time, we look at existing charter schools and we place emphasis on the expansion for those LEA's that don't have charter schools," Lucas said.

The proposal has been approved by the House and is awaiting a spring hearing in the Senate. Lucas said he sees this as delicate balance to provide more choice for parents.

"We don't view this as wanting to take away from those public schools that are now in existence, thereby making them worse off than they already are," Lucas said. "We think we can correct any problem that we have."

Charter school leaders agree, and say they don't like the current caps on the number of schools.

"The problem is probably with political interests, territorial interest, sometimes ego, sometimes its money and control," Bethel Hill Charter School Principal John Betterton said. "But let me remind you, those are adult issues, not children."

The PEFNC tour will hold events in Asheville on Tuesday and Charlotte on Wednesday.