Legislation passed last year to expand authorizing to state universities raised Florida’s ranking from #7 to #5
Florida ranks 5th in The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Annual Charter School Law Rankings Report (compared to #7 in the 2021 report). The thirteenth annual report measures state laws against the National Alliance’s model charter school law that is comprised of 21 essential components focused on flexibility, accountability, and equity to determine which states have created the statutory and regulatory environments that best support high-quality public charter schools.
“Florida’s ranking reflects that lawmakers and leaders are listening to families and what they want in education for their children,” said Senator Joe Gruters, Chair, Education Committee. “Out state legislature will continue to work tirelessly to pass policy that allows our students to find the education option that serves their needs best.”
“For 25 years, public charter schools have been a vital part of Florida’s K-12 public education system. Charter schools have not only provided families with a quality education option but have also helped raise achievement and graduation rates, and helped minority students outperform district students on state and national tests,” said Lynn Norman-Teck, executive director of the Florida Charter School Alliance. “We applaud Florida lawmakers who continue to be committed to providing high-quality and free public education options to students and parents.”
“In 2021, we saw incredible support and momentum to expand access to high-quality charter schools in state capitols across the nation in response to parents’ demands for more high-quality and free education options,” said Nina Rees, President and CEO of National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “As such, we saw a record number of legislative actions aimed at improving or protecting charter laws to meet their families’ demands for more education options. We hope this report helps states boost their efforts to create legislation that provides more opportunity for students.”
To view the report, read Measuring Up to the Model: A Ranking of State Public Charter School Laws, Thirteenth Edition.
About FCSA:
The voice of the charter school movement, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) is non-profit, member-driven organization. Our mission is to improve student achievement, teacher quality, and promote parental choice by advocating for, supporting, defending, and collaborating with public charter schools. Our member schools serve approximately 58% of the charter school student population in Florida and run the gamut of choice educational programs – ranging from urban to rural campuses, from programs specializing in exceptional students or drop-off prevention to unique classical curriculum, and college-prep programs in high-need areas. Yet all our member schools have a common thread – a steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education and providing a quality education option to the children and communities they serve. If Florida charter schools were a district, it would be the 2nd largest school district in the state.