WHAT SHOULD EDUCATION ISSUES FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION LOOK LIKE?

From The Hill

By Nina Rees, Opinion Contributor  - 12/07/20

Nearly everyone in education wonders how the new administration plans to shape the federal role in the sector and how policies will affect charter schools. Joe Biden wants to unify the country, support working families, and invest in the future of our economy. It is unclear how education will factor into that vision, but charter schools will play a critical role. READ MORE

IN FLURRY OF FRIDAY BILL FILINGS, JEFF BRANDES DRAFTS
CIVICS EDUCATION RE-DO

From FLAPOL

By Janelle Irwin Taylor  December 5, 2020

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed a bill Friday that aims to improve civics education in Florida high schools. The goal is to increase citizen engagement. READ MORE

Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate National School Choice Week, Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2021

Member Schools of Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Encouraged to Participate

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (December 7, 2020) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools will be among the 25,000 schools expected to participate in this year’s National School Choice Week, slated for January 24 through January 30, 2021 and celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Founded in 2011, National School Choice Week promotes all forms of school choice, including public charter schools, private schools, district schools, magnet schools and home schools.  According to the organization’s website, “National School Choice Week recognizes all K-12 options.  It is the world’s largest annual celebration of opportunity in education.”

24,910 schools participated in the most recent celebration of National School Choice Week, which also touts participation by more than 50,000 school leaders, teachers, organizations, homeschooling groups and parents.  Interested potential participants can obtain more information and sign up at www.schoolchoiceweek.com/celebrate.

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in National School Choice Week in recent years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2021 celebration,” said Haag.  “It’s a good opportunity to boost the visibility of public charter schools in Florida and to build understanding of the role of public charter schools in Florida education.”

For more information about National School Choice Week, please visit the website www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools   

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.    

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools Lauds State's Enhanced Web Tool for Education Information 

Florida Department of Education Rolls Out Enhanced "KnowYourSchools" Online Tool to Empower and Inform Florida Families 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (December 4, 2020) – The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools today announced its strong support for an enhanced KnowYourSchools online portal recently unveiled by the Florida Department of Education.  According to a Department of Education press release, the enhanced portal makes it easier to access information on school-level and district-level educational outcomes. 

Educational outcome information for Florida's public charter schools is included in the KnowYourSchools portal, which allows users to search for schools by zip code, school name or city. 

"Expanded information at the KnowYourSchools portal will be a huge help to parents seeking the best education options for their children," said Robert Haag, President of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.  "Our state's public charter schools are proud to share their educational outcome data for inclusion in the portal." 

Visitors to the KnowYourSchools website can view statewide, school district and school report cards.  They can access school-specific reports on enrollment, per-pupil expenditures, race/ethnicity, gender, assessments, educator experiences and more. 

According to Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, "Florida's KnowYourSchools portal has now surpassed all other states' school report card websites by bringing educational data to Floridians in a way that is both informative to families and empowering for educators and school leaders.  Parents will find it especially valuable when looking for student academic growth and progress at their child's school." 

The KnowYourSchools portal is located on the Web at http://www.knowyourschoolsfl.org. 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools    

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.