Note: Every week the Florida Legislature is in session, we'll provide a rundown of school choice-related discussions and developments. Look for future installments on Saturday mornings.

Last week, the Florida Board of Education approved an unprecedented charter school takeover in a persistently struggling rural school district.

Jefferson County could soon be the first district in Florida where every public school is run by a charter organization.

As the House Education Committee learned, the move would also be a rarity in Florida school turnarounds.

Districts are required to make major changes in schools that receive F's or consecutive D's from the state. But of 115 schools currently required to make those changes, Jefferson's are the only turnaround schools districts plan to convert to charters.

During the committee's hearing, several lawmakers wondered aloud why charter conversions aren't more common. That's another reason Jefferson will be worth watching.

Expanding Private school choice (more…)