Florida parents continue to choose charter schools in growing numbers, according to a new national report and fresh state statistics.
Eleven Florida school districts now have 10 percent or more of their public school students enrolled in charter schools, shows the report released Tuesday by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. They are Lee (at 14 percent), Broward, Miami-Dade, Sarasota (all at 13 percent), Lake, Polk, Osceola (all at 12 percent), Bay, Indian River (both at 11 percent), and Leon and Manatee (both at 10 percent.)
Four Florida districts are also among the Top 10 nationwide in charter school enrollment growth: Duval, Hillsborough, Orange and Palm Beach.
Hillsborough is one of five districts in the Top 10 two years in a row. Its school board voted Tuesday to deny a proposed charter school aimed at serving military families at MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command.
The alliance report looks at growth in charter school market share nationwide. It’s based on 2012-13 data.
According to the latest FDOE stats, requested by redefinED last week, Florida now has 229,233 students in charter schools. That’s up 25,993 students, or 13 percent, from last year.
Long a leader in the charter school movement, Florida now has more K-12 students in charter schools than 11 states have K-12 public school students.
