JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Florida\u2019s Schools of Hope law, which allows charter schools to share space with public schools, remains a contentious issue.<\/p>\n
The law permits charter schools to \u201cco-locate\u201d within public school buildings, but parents and public school advocates are voicing strong opposition to recent proposed rule changes by the state Department of Education.<\/p>\n
The department\u2019s website says it is meant to provide high-quality educational alternatives zoned for students in lower-performing schools.<\/p>\n
Katie Hathaway, a parent from Duval County Schools, said, \u201cParents are rightfully angry. We have been told to calm down for months and that our concerns would be addressed and these proposed rules did nothing and they continue to cut parents and communities out of the process.\u201d<\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Duval County School Board rejects \u2018Schools of Hope\u2019 requests from Mater Academy for 2 DCPS schools<\/a> | Duval County parents voice concerns over Schools of Hope charter expansion, \u2018our school board is too quiet\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n The proposed rule changes include limits on how many Schools of Hope letters of intent a \u201cHope Operator\u201d can submit\u2014no more than five in 12 months. <\/p>\n Eligibility criteria for schools have also been updated. A school must meet one or more of these criteria at the time a letter of intent is submitted:<\/p>\n A school building cannot be more than 75% full <\/p>\n At least 400 extra seats must be available <\/p>\n A Hope Operator cannot share a building that has been open for less than four years<\/p>\n Damaris Allen, executive director of Families for Strong Public Schools, criticized the financial impact, saying, \u201cThe cost sharing still isn\u2019t equitable. It is still going to cost the public schools money to co-locate these schools. It\u2019s going to be an additional financial burden, which is gonna result in less opportunities for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n