Sparking the evolution of education choice
TALLAHASSEE — Three students from rural, impoverished Jefferson County on Tuesday testified before Florida’s House Education Committee about dramatic improvements at their schools since 2017, when the local district relinquished control of its traditional public schools to a charter school operator. Prior to the historic transformation, Jefferson County had been[Read More…]
One year into a historic charter school takeover, Jefferson County, Fla. has come a long way. But it’s got a long way to go. Last year, the state approved an unprecedented turnaround effort in the high-poverty rural school district. The county’s lone primary and secondary schools became Jefferson County K-12,[Read More…]
Florida lawmakers have mounting concerns about the finances of a rural district that recently converted its long-struggling public schools into the state’s first all-charter system. In recent weeks, state House committees have heard multiple perspectives on Somerset Academy in Jefferson County. Community representatives said the charter network worked to earn[Read More…]
Two Florida charter school networks are pushing to take advantage of a new state law that will give them direct control over federal education funding for their students, the state’s school choice director told a House panel today. A new state law gives more charter schools the ability authority to[Read More…]
Christian Steen told a Florida House panel about the changes at his school this year. Students have new uniforms. A new culinary arts program has them thinking about job skills. The new principal, Cory Oliver, has boosted morale. “He’s able to connect with the kids, and now everything is running[Read More…]
Six Florida charter schools could face closure under state letter grades released today. State law requires charter schools to shut down if they receive consecutive F’s. It creates several safe harbors for charters that target disadvantaged students. They can apply for an extra year to raise their grades if they[Read More…]
MONTICELLO, Fla. – After a 5-0 Tuesday night vote, the Jefferson County School Board brought Florida’s smallest school district into uncharted territory. It’s now poised to start negotiations with Somerset Academy, which could soon lead a conversion into Florida’s first all-charter school system. The board approved a trio of charter school[Read More…]
A struggling rural North Florida district could soon choose one of the state’s largest charter school networks to lead an unprecedented turnaround effort. Somerset Academy is the only organization still in the running to operate Jefferson County, Fla.’s public schools. The school board is set to vote on the charter[Read More…]
