Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that could help expand charter schools known as “schools of hope.”
The bill (SB 2510), which is linked to the new state budget, drew debate before passing the Legislature on June 16.
Charter schools are public schools often run by private operators. Lawmakers in 2017 created the schools of hope program to serve children in areas with “persistently low-performing” traditional public schools.
The bill, in part, changes criteria for determining whether traditional public schools are persistently-low performing, which could increase the number that would receive the designation — and, as a result, open the door for more schools of hope.
Also, the bill will give schools of hope the right to use vacant school facilities or “co-locate” with other schools if space is available.
The bill was part of a broader push by Republican lawmakers to expand school choice. But it drew opposition from Democrats who contended it would harm traditional public schools.
