Charter Schools

Sen. Don Gaetz: "The entirety of Florida education policy is wrapped around parental choice, and this is a parental choice”

At least five bills have passed the House or the Senate that could help lead to more charter schools, bolster charter school facilities, and in some cases, ensure charter schools get a cut of local tax dollars.

Those schools would then become “job engine charter schools” aimed at attracting job-producers and training students for local workforce needs.

One provision of a sweeping state education law allows for a library, community service organization, museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema or church to house a school.

It will require that any “resident of the county who is not the parent or guardian of a student with access to school district materials may not object to more than one material per month.”

HB 109 would allow municipalities to apply to convert public schools within city bounds into charters.

Student enrollment has gradually climbed back up to pre-pandemic levels. But the data shows that more families are choosing to send their kids to charter schools rather than traditional public schools, in line with national trends.

In Central Florida, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, received more than $2 million dollars. The nonprofit operates 8 inclusive charter schools in the state.

Other bills include state inspecting Walt Disney World’s monorail system, and one designed to bolster the safety of amusement rides.

Before becoming principal, Evan Markowitz was a music teacher at Athenian Academy. He said creating upward mobility for his teachers is important to him.

School districts will still serve as sponsors and ultimately be in charge of monitoring the charter schools once they're approved.

The Jefferson County School District has submitted a plan to the state to retake control of its public schools. But that deal came with several conditions—including giving Jefferson one school year to raise the district’s grade from an F to a C.