LAWMAKERS PASS PLAN TO SHIFT FUNDING FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL COFFERS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS

From Florida Politics
By Anne Geggis / May 4, 2023

The bill proceeded despite unanswered questions about how much it's going to cost public school districts.
A bill that would mean charter schools get a share of school districts’ tax money for capital costs won Senate approval and will next head to the Governor’s desk.  READ MORE

2023 Florida Charter School Fact Sheet Shows 723 Charter Schools Serving 382,367 Students

382,367 charter school students is 13.3 percent of the total number of K-12 students enrolled in Florida public schools.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 3, 2023) – The 2023 Florida Charter School Fact Sheet counts 723 charter schools providing educational opportunities to 382,367 Florida students.  The fact sheet was recently issued by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).  It is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools. 

The 2023 totals represent an additional 21 Florida charter schools and 20,428 more students.  21 additional charter schools translate to an increase of three percent over the 2022 total, while an increase of 20,428 students equates to an increase of 5.6 percent over 2022.

The 382,367 charter school students in Florida is 13.3 percent of the overall number of K-12 students enrolled in Florida public schools, up from 12.8 percent in 2022.

In 2023, charter schools operate in 47 of Florida’s 67 counties.  That number is unchanged from 2022.

In addition to updating the numbers of schools and students, the 2023 fact sheet includes general background information about public charter schools and how they are funded.

“The number of Charter schools continues to grow in Florida,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “The 2023 Florida Charter School Fact Sheet is a handy reference for details about the scope and background of charter schools in Florida.” 

The fact sheet is available online at https://www.floridacharterschools.org/assets/docs/FACT%20Sheet%202023%20FINAL.pdf

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.

BUILDING HOPE AWARDED $33 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING TO BENEFIT CHARTER SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

From Business Wire
March 14, 2023

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, today announced that Building Hope Finance has been awarded a grant of $33 million through the U.S. Department of Education’s Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Program. The funding will allow Building Hope to help charter schools access funding necessary to acquire, construct, and renovate facilities at a reasonable cost. READ MORE

MANNY DIAZ, JR. LAUNCHES THE COMMISSIONER'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

From FDOE Press Office

~ Commissioner Diaz will recommend four books each month, one per selected grade range ~

Tallahassee, Fla., March 15, 2023 – Today, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. launched the Commissioner’s Book of the Month, a monthly reading challenge to promote literacy and reading engagement in K-12 schools. Each month, Commissioner Diaz will highlight four recommended books – one per selected grade range. READ MORE