Options: Frequently Asked Questions

• What is public school choice?
• Are all states required to have open enrollment choice programs at their school districts?
• How do parents apply to schools in open enrollment or controlled choice programs?
• In an open enrollment or controlled choice program, is there any guarantee that I will get the school I want?
• In an open enrollment or controlled choice program, how are students assigned if there is not enough room for every child to attend the school that is their first choice?
• How can a student enroll in a career academy?
• Will career academy students be prepared for college?
• What kinds of schools offer career academies?
• What are the admission requirements for charter schools?
• How are charter schools academically different from regular public schools?
• How are charter schools evaluated?
• What do magnet schools consider in determining admission?
• Have magnet schools been successful in attracting and enrolling racially diverse students?
• Are academic achievement levels higher in magnet schools than in non-magnet schools?
• Who is eligible for the McKay Scholarships Program?
• What choices are available under the McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program?
• Can a student who is already in a private school receive a McKay Scholarship?
• Are private schools forced to participate in this program or required to accept students they are not trained or equipped to help?
• Is the local school district required to provide transportation to the private school chosen by the parent under the McKay Scholarship Program?
• How much is the McKay Scholarship worth?
• What if I decide that the private school we have chosen under the McKay Scholarship Program does not meet my child's needs?
• Are pre-kindergarten children eligible to receive a McKay Scholarship?
• Are students identified as gifted eligible for the McKay Scholarship?
• What kinds of disabilities are identified as eligible for the McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities?
• Who is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?
• How do I find out if my child is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?
• What schools can I choose from if my child is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?
• Must all private schools participate in the Opportunity Scholarships Program?
• How long does an Opportunity Scholarship last?
• Who provides transportation for students who receive the Opportunity Scholarship?
• How do satellite schools benefit students?
• Are all satellite schools only for children of the corporate sponsors?
• How can apply to a satellite school?
• Do virtual schools adversely affect students because they are not learning in a social setting?
• In virtual schools, do students and teachers ever meet?
• In virtual schools, do students get to participate in extra-curricular activities?
• In virtual schools, how can I be sure my child is spending enough online time on schoolwork?
• How effective is home schooling?
• What qualifications must a parent have to home school their child?
• How do home schooled children develop social skills among peers if they are not in a public school setting?
• How will I know if my child qualifies for the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship?
• What is the amount of the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship?
• With a Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship, can a corporation/taxpayer request that their contribution be given to specific children?

What is public school choice?

School choice means giving all families the ability to make meaningful decisions about how and where their children will receive a primary and secondary education.

Are all states required to have open enrollment choice programs at their school districts?

Some states are required to participate in open enrollment while others are not. There are four states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri and Wisconsin, that have made open enrollment mandatory in an effort to racially balance schools and school districts.

How do parents apply to schools in open enrollment or controlled choice programs?

School Districts generally develop an application process in which parents complete an application that specifies a certain number of schools they would like their child to attend in rank order.

In an open enrollment or controlled choice program, is there any guarantee that I will get the school I want?

No, open enrollment is based on the available space at each school, which varies each school year. The district has full control over the transfer requests and they may not be appealed.

In an open enrollment or controlled choice program, how are students assigned if there is not enough room for every child to attend the school that is their first choice?

A computer generated random selection or lottery process is used to assign students when there are more students then spaces available at a school. Random selection is used in order to assure that each student has an equal chance at attending a choice school. If a student is not assigned to a first choice school, he or she may often choose to stay on a waiting list until a spot becomes available.

How can a student enroll in a career academy?

Career academies are completely voluntary. If a student is interested in a career academy, he or she must apply to the program through their school. Student selection is based partially on grades and recommendations, but a student’s interest in joining the program is a major factor for consideration.

Will career academy students be prepared for college?

Absolutely, not only do career academies provide students with adequate experience to attain entry-level jobs in the career field, they also lay the academic groundwork for college entry. Students in career academies receive the same subjects as high school students. The only difference is that their teachers try to interweave a career-theme into their coursework. Their courses meet the entrance requirements for colleges and universities. Sometimes career academy graduates even earn advanced college standing for their course work in high school.

What kinds of schools offer career academies?

Career academies are usually created in large high schools. They are designed to be a way of reforming a crowded, impersonal high school into a school within a school for students who prefer smaller learning circles. Groups of students and teachers work together over a period of at least two years and form a close-knit learning community.

What are the admission requirements for charter schools?

Charter schools are required by law to accept students fairly on an open admissions basis. They should recruit students from all parts of the community. Because charter schools typically have smaller classes, there are many with long waiting lists. When a charter school has more applicants than available spots, they may use a lottery to randomly select students.

How are charter schools academically different from regular public schools?

Charter schools are academically different from regular public schools because often charter schools target a particular population, such as students with disabilities or at-risk of academic failure. Therefore, charter schools tend to base their curriculum on their student population. Charter schools also have the freedom to explore many different kinds of curriculum for use in different grade levels and throughout the schools. In turn for this academic freedom, charter schools are held to strict accountability standards.

How are charter schools evaluated?

Charter schools are accountable to the sponsor that approves their charter contract, the parents who choose their school, and the state, which provides start-up funds for operation. They are evaluated on the students’ academic progress and the standards for this are agreed upon in the initial charter contract. Each charter school is also assigned a school grade according to the same standards as traditional public schools under the A+ Accountability Plan. School grades are based largely on statewide tests. Charter schools also use their own standardized tests to determine student academic achievement.

What do magnet schools consider in determining admission?

Although there are no specific academic requirements for magnet schools, some magnet school curricula could be challenging. Some magnet schools, depending on the theme, may have admission requirements that could include indication of past academic successes, such as GPA, or an audition, which is more common at performing arts magnet schools. Parents are encouraged to learn as much as possible about a magnet school before applying. School counselors, administrators and personnel can familiarize parents with the school’s academic standards and challenges. Your local school district office should also be able to provide you with supplemental information on magnet school programs in your area.

Have magnet schools been successful in attracting and enrolling racially diverse students?

Research from several different sources suggests that they have been able to attract and regulate racially balanced student populations. Therefore, it has been an effective tool for desegregating schools in racially homogenous areas. In addition, the schools have capitalized on students’ interests in order for them to feel motivated to succeed in other subject areas and remain in their specialized programs.

Are academic achievement levels higher in magnet schools than in non-magnet schools?

Achievement levels of students in magnet schools have been found to be greater than that of students in traditional schools. A nationwide research study found that students in magnet schools performed better than their peers in non-magnet schools in reading, science and social studies.

Who is eligible for the McKay Scholarships Program?

In order to be eligible for the McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program, a student must have attended a public school for the prior year and must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

What choices are available under the McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program?

Eligible students with disabilities may:

• Remain at their assigned school;
• Attend another public school within the same district;
• Attend an approved public school in an adjacent district (parent or guardian must provide transportation); or
• Attend a participating private school.

Can a student who is already in a private school receive a McKay Scholarship?

No, the current law requires that a student must have been enrolled and in attendance in a Florida public school during the October and February FTE surveys from the previous school year.

Are private schools forced to participate in the McKay Scholarships Program or required to accept students they are not trained or equipped to help?

No, the state may not force any private school to participate in this program. Florida law does not license or regulate private schools. The McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program is a parent choice program, which provides options for parents who are dissatisfied in their assigned public school. The Department of Education is not authorized by law to force a private school to accept a student the school cannot serve.

Is the local school district required to provide transportation to the private school chosen by the parent under the McKay Scholarships Program?

No, districts are not required to provide or otherwise pay for transportation for scholarship students enrolled in private schools. Transportation should be a consideration when deciding on participation. Some private schools may include transportation fees in their regular tuition costs. Public transportation costs (city bus, taxi) are not allowable expenses under the McKay Scholarship Program.

How much is the McKay Scholarship worth?

The scholarship is equal to the amount of state generated funding the student would have received or the cost of the private school's tuition and fees, whichever is less. The scholarship will be paid in four payments: September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 15.

What if I decide that the private school we have chosen under the McKay Scholarship Program does not meet my child's needs?

The McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program is a parent choice program. If you find another participating private school that can better accommodate your child's needs, inform the Florida Department of Education or your local school district of your decision, and they will assist you in transferring your child to another private school.

Are pre-kindergarten children eligible to receive a McKay Scholarship?

No, Pre-K students are not eligible for the program. Only students in grades K-12 are eligible to receive the scholarship. A Kindergarten student is eligible only if the student is repeating Kindergarten.

Are students identified as gifted eligible for the McKay Scholarship?

No, gifted students are not eligible for the McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program. Only students with disabilities are eligible for this scholarship program.

What kinds of disabilities are identified as eligible for the McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities?

Students with disabilities include K-12 students who are mentally handicapped, speech and language impaired, deaf or hard-of-hearing, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, physically impaired, emotionally handicapped, specific learning disabled, hospitalized or homebound, or autistic.

Who is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?

A public school student is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship to attend an eligible public or participating private school of his or her choice, if one of the following criteria is met:

• The student has spent the prior school year in attendance at a public school which has been graded "F" for two out of the last four years;
• The student was in attendance elsewhere in the public school system and has been assigned to attend a public school which has been graded "F" for two out of the last four years; or
• The student is entering kindergarten or first grade and has been assigned to a school that has been graded "F" for two out of the last four years.

How do I find out if my child is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?

Once a school has been designated as "F" for two out of the last four years, it is the responsibility of the local school district to notify parents of students attending this school of the school's performance and of their options under the program. Annual school performance grades are released by the Department of Education and can be accessed through this web site http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/.

What schools can I choose from if my child is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?

You can select from the eligible public schools in the district or in an adjacent district that have a grade of “C” or better. You may also choose a private or parochial school that is eligible to participate. You also have the option of staying at your present school, which the state guarantees will receive additional funds, assistance and supervision in order to improve its learning conditions.

Must all private schools participate in the Opportunity Scholarships Program?

No. Private schools are not required to participate in the Opportunity Scholarship Program. However, participation is open to all private schools that wish to take part in the program, as long as the school meets the eligibility criteria and files a "Notice of Intent to Participate" with the Department of Education.

How long does an Opportunity Scholarship last?

The opportunity for a student to continue attending a higher performing school within the district, or in an adjacent district, remains in force until the student graduates from high school. An eligible student who chooses to attend a private school may do so until:

• The student chooses to return to a public school;
• The student chooses to attend a private school that only offers classes through the 8th grade; or
• The student enters high school, providing the public school to which the student is assigned is a grade "C" or higher.

Who provides transportation for students who receive the Opportunity Scholarship?

Transportation is dependent on the option chosen by the parent or guardian of the eligible student:

• If a parent chooses a higher performing public school within the district, the school district is responsible for providing transportation.
• If a parent chooses a higher performing public school in an adjacent district, as long as space is available, the parent or guardian is responsible for providing transportation.
• If a parent chooses a participating private school, the responsibility for transportation belongs to the parent. However, if the private school provides transportation, any transportation fees charged by the private school are eligible for inclusion in the Opportunity Scholarship amount.

How do satellite schools benefit students?

Most companies who invest in these schools claim that because their staffs are diverse, the schools will reflect that diversity among students, as well. Also, many satellite schools offer services related to its corporate sponsor such as tutoring, high-tech computer labs, and a wide range of foreign language courses. Satellite schools have smaller classrooms than many traditional public schools, so they serve to reduce overcrowding in those schools at a minimal cost to the district.

Are all satellite schools only for children of the corporate sponsors?

No, there are many satellite schools that are open to all students.

How can apply to a satellite school?

Contact the satellite school you are interested to find out what their admission requirements are. Some may have specific enrollment guidelines. If you cannot contact the school, call your school district.

Do virtual schools adversely affect students because they are not learning in a social setting?

Many of the students who enroll in virtual schools are also part of a traditional school setting. They are just taking a class or more via the Internet. Others, such as students of cyber charter schools, have voluntarily enrolled because they were trying to get away from an environment in which they felt unwelcome and uncomfortable.

In virtual schools, do students and teachers ever meet?

Occasionally, virtual high school teachers who teach online courses require students to take tests or do presentations at their home schools. But in the case of many cyber charter schools, everything is done online. Discussions can be conducted in chat rooms and the software used allows teachers to administer timed tests.

In virtual schools, do students get to participate in extra-curricular activities?

Students in cyber charter schools can take courses such as physical education, which can be coordinated with organizations such as the YMCA. Sometimes cyber charter school teachers plan field trips with the students or make other extra-curricular activities available.

In virtual schools, how can I be sure my child is spending enough online time on schoolwork?

Teachers are able to monitor how much time their students are spending on the course’s website. Virtual courses and cyber charter schools, however, are not for everyone. They are usually ideal for motivated students who enjoy working independently.

How effective is home schooling?

It is hard for researchers to tell whether the same children would perform better or worse academically in a classroom or at home. This is largely due to the fact that not all home schooled students are required or volunteer to take state tests. But, for those who do comply with testing, most home schooled students do well.

What qualifications must a parent have to home school their child?

Parents do not need teaching certificates to home school their children. Only a few states test parents.

How do home schooled children develop social skills among peers if they are not in a public school setting?

Many people argue that home schooling isolates children from their peers. However, many home school families work in groups and participate in recreational, community and extracurricular activities.

How will I know if my child qualifies for the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship?

To be eligible a child must:

• Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
• Have attended a Florida public school the previous year, or must be entering kindergarten or 1st grade.
• Have been enrolled in a Florida nonpublic school the previous year and received a scholarship from a Scholarship-Funding Organization.

What is the amount of the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship?

The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship is required by law to provide a student whose parents have chosen a private school with a maximum of $3,500 or the cost of the school’s tuition, whichever is less. If an eligible student’s parents choose to attend an out-of-district public school, the scholarship will award $500 for transportation.

With a Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship, can a corporation/taxpayer request that their contribution be given to specific children?

No, it may not select a specific child or group of children as the recipients of the scholarship money. The corporation is not allowed to contribute more than $5 million to one Scholarship-Funding Organization.