Trisha Coad of KIPP addresses the Florida Senate Education Committee.

When top charter school networks consider moving into new community, they don't just look at funding or charter school laws. They look at the whole "educational ecosystem."

That was the message a KIPP representative brought to a Florida Senate panel looking at charter school legislation.

Trisha Coad is the director for new site development for the Knowledge is Power Program, which operates 200 charter schools, including three in Jacksonville.

She told the Senate Education Committee the charter network is eyeing expansions in Florida — especially Miami. It's looking at some predictable factors: Community demand, affordable school facilities, adequate public funding, respect for charters' autonomy.

KIPP also looks for "strong authorizing, where charter schools are held to high expectations," Coad said. (more…)

A proposal filed this week in the Florida Legislature would roll out the welcome mat for charter school networks that have strong track records serving low-income students.

The bill is the latest in series of efforts to make the Sunshine State more hospitable to nationally recognized charter school organizations like KIPP.

Under SB 796, filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, charter organizations would have to apply to the state Board of Education for "high-impact" status. The board would look at the students they serve, as well as years achievement data, to decide if they qualify.

Florida law gives certain privileges to academically high-performing charter schools. High-impact organizations would get those privileges as soon as they're approved. (more…)

There's a growing recognition among educators and lawmakers that some students need learning environments tailored to their individual needs.

Case in point: A bill filed yesterday would create new schools of choice aimed at children with dyslexia.

The legislation by Jacksonville-area Sen. Aaron Bean would expand Duval County's GRASP program, and create similar institutions in five other school districts.

The K-8 schools would have small classes, curriculum especially tailored to dyslexic students, and mentoring support from the Duval school district, which started a standalone program this school year, as the Florida Times-Union reported. (more…)