First college in Florida approved as charter school authorizer 

From WTXL.com

By: WTXL Digital Staff - Jan 31, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, FLa. - Tallahassee Community College (TCC) has been announced as the first college in Florida to be approved as a charter school authorizer.

According to TCC, the college was approved by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and is one of the five Florida College system colleges selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to create career and technical education charter schools.  READ MORE

Florida Public Charter Schools to Celebrate Black History Month During February

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 1, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to celebrate Black History Month during February, 2023.

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2023 celebration, which includes Student and Educator Contests organized by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.

The student art and essay contests are based on the theme, “Celebrating the Achievements of African American Floridians.”

The Student Art Contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on the theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks.

The Student Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida, including students at Florida’s charter schools. The Florida Department of Education press release notes each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected from Florida elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

The Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida, including charter schools. According to the Florida Department of Education, four winners will be selected.

Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student. The deadline for entries in all of the contests is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in Black History Month during previous years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2023 Black History Month celebration, said Haag. “Black History Month provides a focused timeframe to celebrate the many accomplishments African Americans have achieved in Florida.

Student and Educator contest entries and nomination forms and guidelines are available at http://floridablackhistory.com, with a link at the left side of the web page.

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,FCPCShas been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.FCPCSprovides 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.

HOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DID ON THE ACT LAST YEAR IN EVERY STATE

From 247 Tempo
By Maria Wood - January 20, 2023

In 2022, roughly 1.3 million graduating high school students – 36% of the total – sat down for the ACT exam. The ACT (formerly the American College Testing Program) assesses college readiness in English, math, science, and reading. Many colleges base admittance on a student’s ACT test results. READ MORE

Florida Public Charter Schools to Participate in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2023” from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27 

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

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 5, 2023) – Many of Florida’s public charter schools are expected to take part in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! 2023,” slated for January 23 through January 27, 2023. 

Member schools of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) are encouraged to participate in the 2023 celebration, which is the fifteenth annual statewide program dedicated to literacy-related events.  It is a program of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and Just Read, Florida!, the Department’s statewide reading initiative. 

The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! program is “Take a Deep Dive Into Literacy – Splash Into New Worlds!”  FDOE encourages all Florida schools to participate in reading a variety of books to support the New Worlds Reading Initiative program, which provides high-quality, free books on a monthly basis to help instill a love of reading among K-5 students who read below grade level. 

Many of Florida’s public charter schools have participated in “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!” during previous years, according to FCPCS President Robert Haag.  

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools encourages our member schools to be part of the 2023 celebration, said Haag.  “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! provides a focused timeframe to increase reading among students at public charter schools in our state,” said Haag.  

More information is available by visiting the Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! website.    

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.