A Look at the Charter School Landscape in

A Look at the Charter School Landscape in Florida Presented to the House of Representatives Pre. K-12 Innovation Subcommittee January 25, 2017

About FCSA A non-profit charter school support and advocacy organization. Member schools range from academically successful networks like CSUSA, Bridge. Prep, Mavericks in Education, ALS alternative schools and Somerset Academy to smaller, specialized programs like Ed. Ventures, a credit recovery program in Palm Beach and Glades Academy in Pahokee. Services include: State-compliant Teacher/Principal evaluation system; SIR workshops; Professional Development; Media Relations; Turn -Around Intervention Program; District mediation; cost savings through FCSA Marketplace; and local/state/federal outreach.

FCSA Board & Staff Joseph D. Chisholm Emilia Fanjul Jonathan Hage Lauren Hollander Jim Horne John Kirtley Patricia Levesque Dr. Judith Stein Ignacio Zulueta Lynn Norman-Teck, Executive Director Ralph Arza, Director of Governmental Relations

About Charter Schools • Tuition-free and open to all students • Non-sectarian, and do not discriminate on any basis • Non-profit, independent schools of choice designed and operated by parents, educators, community leaders, education entrepreneurs and others • Publicly funded by local, state, and federal tax dollars based on enrollment, like other public schools • Accountable to state and federal academic standards, and the goals outlined in their charter contract • Governed by an independent, volunteer governing board. • Provide services to students with disabilities • Helping their students make academic gains

Source: Florida Charter Schools Conference program book, November 2016

Survey results 82% believe that all public school students whether attending charter or district-run schools should receive equal education funding. 87% believe parents are best 55% support a statewide independent authorizer to approve / provide oversight to charter schools. 70% have a favorable opinion qualified to choose the proper educational environment for their about public charter schools child. 62% support a constitutional amendment mandating that local capital tax dollars be distributed equally to all public schools, including public charter school students. Survey reached out to registered voters in ten media markets across Florida. The interview selection was random from within a predetermined group of likely primary election voters in Florida. This group was structured to correlate with voter turnout in a primary election. National Victory Strategies of Boynton Beach January 2016

Public School Enrollment Controlled enrollment vs. Parental-driven enrollment Public Charter School enrollment: Not one student is assigned to a charter school. Enrollment is entirely a parent’s decision. Across the state, charter school enrollment has increased every year, because Florida families value this public school option.

K 12 Charter School Enrollment 271, 000+ students attending 650+ public charter schools in Florida

Academic Achievement Students attending charter schools must take standardized state exams, like the FSA, and meet state and federal academic benchmarks. The percentage of students making learning gains was higher in charter schools in 86 of the 96 comparisons, and students enrolled in charter schools demonstrated higher proficiency rates. In 52 of the 63 comparisons students enrolled in charter schools demonstrated higher proficiency rates in the FCAT 2. 0 and Algebra end-of-course exam. Florida Department of Education, 2013 -14 Report

Graphs from Student Achievement in Florida Charter Schools A Florida Department of Education report, 2013 -2014

State Assessment Data from Student Achievement in Florida Charter Schools A Florida Department of Education report, 2013 -2014

Charter School Accountability Academic and fiscal accountability measures Accountable to the: • authorizer / school district that grants the charter • parents who choose them • students they serve • public that funds them

Education Funding Both district-run schools and charter schools receive per student funding from the State. Charter school students are funded an average of 11. 4 % less than students attending a district school - 2005 Thomas B. Fordham Institute report Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) is the only facilities funding charter schools receive. District-run schools receive, on average, six times more capital funding per student than do public charter schools – Politi. Fact, January 2016.

Public Education Capital Outlay *District per student amount is absent title one and federal funding. *District per student amount is absent district local sales surtaxes and impact fees *Inclusion of these funds would make the district per student total go up.

Legislative changes in 2016 PECO allocated to qualifying charter schools is determined by the total weighted FTE. However, schools with large Title 1 or ESE populations receive an added amount. PECO to be withheld from charter schools with two consecutive “D” grades on the state assessment. Implementation postponed. Increased accountability and transparency measures added to the application process. Charter school enrollment preference given to students who attended or are assigned to a failing district-run school. Open Enrollment: Parents are permitted to transfer their children to any under-capacity district-run school in the state beginning in 2017 -18.

2017 Areas of Focus • District rules and policies that go beyond state policy Last week, a state appeals court rejected the Palm Beach County School Board's claim that it alone should decide which charter schools open in the county. The three-judge panel upheld charter schools’ right to appeal to the state when their applications to open schools are rejected. It deemed the school board’s argument that the state appeals process is unconstitutional to be “meritless. ” Palm Beach Post - January 18, 2016

2017 Areas of Focus • Increase recognition of nationally recognized, high achieving charter school networks already working in Florida. Including Charter Schools USA, Somerset Academy, Mater Academy, Pinecrest Academy, Bridge. Prep, ALS, Lake Wales Charter Schools • Equitable Funding for All Public School Students Charter school students are funded an average of 11. 4 % less than students attending a district school • Impact of withholding of capital outlay from low performing schools. • Three-year probationary period for charter schools serving at risk population, operating in high-need area.

2017 Areas of Focus • Alternative Schools & ESE Center assessment (SIR) reform 10 days vs. 80 days: SIR Ratings include students who enroll as late as last day of February FTE count. A-F Grade learning gains ONLY include students enrolled at a district-run or charter school for BOTH the October & February FTE counts. If the SIR system is not changed, SIR-rated schools have a 2 out of 3 chance of being a “double-failing” school in the span of 5 years.

www. flcharteralliance. org