TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

Charter Schools in Florida

Agenda

Scope of Florida’s charter sectorHistoryChallenges, transportation and otherwiseLooking ahead

Florida Charter Schools at a Glance

203,000 students*578 schools46 districtsEnrollment has doubled in five yearsAbout 7 percent of public school population

Enrollment Trends

Diversity

Diversity

Charter Traditional

English language program 10.68% 11.64%

Free and reduced lunch 46.87% 56.89%

Exceptional student education

9.22% 13.06%

Policy and Funding

Charter schools are public schoolsOnly nonprofits can hold a charter with

districtFlorida Education Finance ProgramCapital outlay dollarsFederal funds

Transportation

Charter schools are entitled to their proportionate share of transportation funds for eligible students.

The charter school and the school district are required to cooperate in making arrangements so that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school.

Transportation of charter students must be consistent with the district school board requirements of all public K-12 students.

Standard Contract

“Should the School choose to provide its own transportation plan rather than contract with the District for transportation services, it shall submit a transportation plan to the District for review and approval.”

Transported Charter Students

43,878 in school buses95 in school cars or small vehicles7,507 in public transit346 in private cars51,826 total transported (25% of enrollment)

Challenges

What’s in the lawCommunicationPoor relations between charters and districts

Who I am

Adam EmersonCharter Schools DirectorOffice of Independent Education and Parental ChoiceOffice: (850) 245-9631Adam.Emerson@fldoe.org