FLORIDA SCHOOL CHILDREN GAIN ACCESS TO FREE BOOKS

From The Tampa Bay Times
By Jeffrey S. Solochek
January 28, 2021

Florida elementary school students now can go online to read thousands of books aimed at helping them improve their literacy level. READ MORE

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) Offers Board Governance Training Programs 

State-Required training programs offered for both new and returning board members of FCPCS member charter schools.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 3, 2021) – New or returning board members appointed to the boards of directors of Florida's public charter schools are encouraged to sign up for online Board Governance Training programs offered by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).  The schools must be members of FCPCS. 

The state-approved Board Governance Training Courses offered by FCPCS to its member charter schools help to ensure the schools meet state requirements for board governance training.  Board members can participate in the training courses alone or as part of a group.

Two state approved governance training courses are available.  They are a four-hour initial Governance Board Training Course for New Board Members and a two-hour "refresher" Governance Board Training Course, which is required every three years following the initial training program. 

The initial Governance Board Training Course for New Board Members is designed for governing boards with one or more members who have had no previous board service experience or who have served on a board for less than 90 days.  Members who are new to a board must complete the four-hour course within 90 days of their appointment, even if other members have previously completed the four-hour training. 

The two-hour "refresher" Governing Board Training Course is designed for governing boards with members who have served continuously for 90 days or more and who have completed the initial four-hour state-approved training course. 

“The State of Florida requires governance board training every three years following the initial training," said FCPCS President Robert Haag.  "The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools offers an easy, affordable solution to help its member schools meet the state requirement." 

For more information about Board Governance Training Courses offered by FCPCS, please contact info@floridacharterschools.org.

National School Choice Week celebrated at River City Science Academy 

(River City Science Academy is a member school of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools)

By Ben Ryan, Action News Jax (CBS47 and FOX30)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 29, 2021) — It’s National School Choice Week, a time to appreciate parents’ access to the wealth of K-12 education options for their children.

There’s no shortage of great options in Northeast Florida, which is great for brothers William and Tyler Grissom, who want to be the same thing when they grow up.

“An astronaut!” said the two.

They’re 1st and 3rd graders at River City Science Academy Elementary. Both attend the charter school for the love of science.

“It’s sophisticated and complicated,” William said. “We’re doing earth and space science, and I really like space.”

In Duval County, parents have a lot of alternative options other than the school your child is zoned for. There are dozens of magnet schools, 32 charter schools and even Duval Virtual Instruction Academy.

The pandemic is still playing a huge role in education. Action News Jax learned more than 1,300 students are in DVIA and more than 2,700 are learning virtually through Duval Homeroom.

As National School Choice Week celebrates a variety of educational environments, the Grissom boys’ mother, Deja Grissom, said having a school that keeps her children safe has been a relief.

“Even though it’s STEM focused, there’s loads of art, resources and activities,” Grissom said. “The kids are allowed to be creative here and show what’s different about each other.”

Duval County just wrapped up its School Choice Expo, which was held virtually this year because of the pandemic.

MANNY DIAZ BILL WOULD EXPAND ELIGIBILITY, MAXIMIZE PARENTAL CHOICE IN K-12 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

From FLAPOL

By Peter Schorschon / January 21, 2021

A bill that would simplify Florida’s education choice programs by merging five scholarship programs into two, while adding flexible spending options, has been filed in the Florida Senate. READ MORE