Gov. Scott Focused On Charter School Expansion
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - After signing the controversial merit pay bill for teachers, Governor Rick Scott is now turning his attention toward charter schools.
The governor is considering two bills next week that would enable highly-ranked charter schools in the state to expand enrollment and grade levels, and grant preferential admittance, according to The News Service of Florida.
The governor is in favor of the bills.
"It gives our public schools the opportunity to be run by third parties and be way more innovative," Gov. Scott said Friday at a ceremonial signing of the teacher merit pay bill in Tallahassee.
The push to expand charter schooling in Florida has been a decades-long effort by state Republicans to give parents options for their children's schooling besides public and private institutions.
One bill, sponsored by Sen. John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine), is SB 1546. It would give universities and community colleges the ability to add new grade levels or open new charter schools if they wish. It would also remove the requirement already on the books that mandates charter schools provide transportation for students.
Another effort, House proposed committee bill (KINS 11-03), would label charter schools who have received two "A" grades in three years as "high performing". That label would allow the school to receive benefits like grade level additions and a 25 percent enrollment increase. High performing schools would also be assured 15-year contracts.
Both bills would also allow preferential admittance to students based on where their parent is employed or where the student lives.
"Charter schools give parents a choice," said Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who supports the House bill to expand charters. "When you have options, that brings everybody to a higher level."
Charter school popularity is on the rise in the Sunshine State. There are currently 458 charter schools in Florida serving 154,758 students.
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