The first day of the school year brought grim news to three Florida charter schools, who learned this morning that they will have to close because of their performance.

State law requires the schools to lose their charters after earning failing grades from the state in two straight years. The state Board of Education voted unanimously not to offer waivers that would have allowed the schools to remain open.

So-called "Double-F" charter schools can only receive waivers if their students achieve higher learning gains than comparable public schools. The board agreed to deny waivers after looking at data for the three schools - one in Miami-Dade County, one in Broward and one in Columbia.

None of the decisions drew debate from board members, who noted afterward that they were simply following the requirements in state law.

Representatives from the three schools joined the board on a conference call to plead their case for another year to improve their scores.

Anthony Buzzella, the founder of Shining Star Academy of the Arts in Columbia County, said the school, which that morning opened its third year of classes, had raised its test scores after a dismal first year. But its improvements were not enough to shake its F grade. He also said the school's drama, art and music programs have attracted students from three surrounding rural counties who, without those options, might not return to the public school system.

"Test results alone are not the sole indicator of our school's effectiveness," he said.

After the meeting, a few board members agreed that the decisions were difficult. Marva Johnson said the state should look for ways to assist new charters that stumble out of the gate, to prevent second-year struggles that can lead to their closure.

Of the unprecedented eight charter schools that face closure after getting F's in two straight years, three are asking the state for waivers that would allow them to stay open next school year.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the schools that had requested waivers by Monday's deadline were Shining Star Academy of the Arts in Columbia County, Florida International Academy Elementary School in Miami-Dade County, and Broward Charter School of Science and Technology.

State law requires charter schools that receive "double F's" to lose their charters unless they receive a waiver from the state Board of Education. The decisions are rare, and a school can only receive such a waiver once.

Schools can also appeal their grades. The Palm Beach Post reported at least one South Florida school was considering that option.

The double-F rule stems from the original theory behind charter schools, which are supposed to trade more operational freedom for stricter accountability. There's some flexibility for special cases -- such as schools that serve a disadvantaged population that might need a little extra time to raise its achievement. (more…)