Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, sponsor of public school choice legislation
Bills creating new school choice options in Florida's public schools are now ready for floor votes in both the House and Senate, with changes aimed at addressing school districts' logistical concerns.
The proposals would expand open enrollment policies - one of Florida's most popular forms of school choice - into more districts, and allow parents to send their children to public schools across district lines.
The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the upper chamber's version bill late in a meeting with a packed agenda.
Under changes to SB 1552 approved by the panel, the new choice programs would not take effect until the 2016-17 school year, giving districts time to prepare. The revised bill would also give districts the ability to decide which of their schools should be open to new students.
The House's bill also saw opposition fade after it made similar changes. It cleared its final committee vote unanimously.
The fates of the proposals are likely intertwined with negotiations over charter school policy. The Senate legislation includes a number of charter school provisions that have already passed the House, as well as provisions that have drawn concerns from some charter school operators.
The House's charter school legislation, meanwhile, includes a contentious facilities funding plan.
