Citing a need for greater flexibility, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein yesterday pressed Albany lawmakers to lift a cap on charter schools in New York City. Mr. Klein’s visit to Albany came on the same day State Senator Martin Golden, a Republican of Brooklyn, proposed legislation that would lift a statewide cap on the independent public schools.

Mr. Golden proposed lifting the cap in New York City last year, but was unable to convince his colleagues in the Republican-led Senate. His latest proposal to amend to the state education law is not expected to pass, but Mr. Golden said it reflects mounting pressure from parents to get the cap is lifted in their districts.

The statewide cap of 100 charter schools, which was established in 1998, is expected to be reached by the fall. Eighty charter schools have already been approved statewide, with 16 applications pending. New York City has 32 operating charter schools. Mr. Klein said charter schools are “not a panacea” but that they provide him with another tool and greater flexibility as he seeks to improve the city’s graduation rate, which stands at about 50%, among other weak performance figures.