[momix5]

Can someone please explain Charter schools to me and choice schools? Thank you!

[121804]

Here is a link: US Charter Schools

Charter schools are very controversial due to some of the practices, policies & funding. Being a teacher, I am very leary of many charter schools.

If one is to choose a charter school for their child, it is in their best interest to go to that school, spend a day or two in the classes & do all the research they can on it.

There are some good charter schools & then there are some horrible ones.

School choice, as in Lee County, is when parents are able to request that their child attend a school of their choice, regardless of location. Most counties base where your child goes to school on geographics; Lee County does not.

But this is swarming with controversy due to the obvious fact that all parents want their child to attend the best school, so there is an inevitable waiting list. Keep in mind that discrimination laws also have to be followed, so there has to be a certain ethnic population in each school, etc based on school choice.

Parents rarely get their child into the elementary school of their choice in Lee County & instead get placed on a waiting list & their child is instead placed in a school that has an opening. Keep in mind, this school could be 25 miles from home.

I've only heard of Lee County having school choice.

There is also school vouchers that are offered that allow a parent to send their child to any type of school based on the voucher amount, etc.

[momix5]

Thank you, is Port Saint Lucie system choice schools? My cousin is a teacher she is originally from LI just moved to Fla she is in Boyton Beach she did not have much info about charter schools in PSL or Lee County.

[121804]

I know nothing about PSL. I would call PSL & Lee County Schools & try to get the info you are needing.

[momix5]

what are are you from? How do you like it? Thanks for helping me.

[121804]

We are in SW FL. The schools here are average, at best. I base this on a lot more than the whole A, B, C ratings thing FL does. But, the schools in Charlotte County are not that good. Lee County--there appears to be some ok ones. I would not send my child to school in this part of FL.

No matter where one lives, every school has pros & cons. No two schools are alike. The best thing to initally look at is the county, socioeconomic background of the county, professional makeup of the county, home prices in the county, and test scores over a period of time--not just last years.

Charter schools, many times, are meant to replace or give parents options to failing public schools in the area. But charter schools are also public & receive public funding. Sometimes, it is a no-win situation.

There could be some decent charter schools out there, it just takes research.

[momix5]

thanks!for all the information!

[deckardc]

School choice is a FL state program. Here is the state's school choice website: Independent Education and Parental Choice

It means you are not required to send your child to the school your address is zoned for. You can send them to the school of your choice within the county as long as the school you have chosen has the space available. If the space is not available, your child will be placed on a wait list or you can request another school. Children whose addresses are zoned for a particular school get the first spots in that school. If you can, move to the zone for the school you prefer. It's easier than dealing with the choice system.

If your child is an exception student (either special ed, gifted, or in need of any type of therapy services) and you don't think they are getting what they need from the local schools, you can apply for a McKay scholarship that will provide funding for them to attend a private school that would serve their needs. The scholarship amount is equal to what your county spends on each student annually. This is the only program in the state that might be considered a "voucher" program. If your child doesn't qualify as an exceptional student, there are no vouchers. A while back, FL attempted to have a general voucher program but it was declared unconstitutional by the state supreme court.

Charter schools can be good or bad. Most have long wait lists. Some are run by private companies and have little oversight by the state. Some are run under the local school district. I live in Okaloosa county and we have a charter school that is part of the county school district.

Overall, Florida schools are terrible. The state was recently ranked 48th in the nation. Only Mississippi and West Virginia were worse. Right now, almost all districts are facing large budget cuts and declining enrollment. Navigating the schools can be complicated. Some counties are worse than others. Miami-Dade is particularly bad. I live in Okaloosa county and it is ranked #1 in the state. Santa Rosa county is right next to us and it's schools are excellent as well. Most counties have a mix of good and bad. One school can be ranked poorly and another 5 blocks away can be an A school. The state uses a report card style grading system to grade the schools, so you will see schools that are A+ schools or B or F, etc. Obviously, you want an A school. The state's DOE website has a list of the school's grades by county. It also list other things such as demographics, percent of students receiving subsidized lunches, FCAT scores, etc. If you know where you want to live, look for the schools in that county whose grades, etc. meet your criteria and request to have your child attend that school as soon as you move. You will need a FL address first. FLDOE's website is: Florida Department of Education

P.S. - FCAT stands for Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. It's sort of like an SAT that kids are required to take every year. It is very controversial. Almost all teachers and parents hate it.

[momix5]

thank you so much for all the replies I so appreciate them!