Florida School Choice Programs and Transportation

1. Florida School Choice Programs and Transportation Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) - Section 1002.38, Florida Statutes McKay Scholarship Program - Section 1002.39, Florida Statutes Laura Harrison, Director of Scholarship Programs and Home Education Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice (IEPC) Florida Department of Education February 7, 2012

2. Opportunity Scholarship Program Eligible School Criteria School grade of “F” or three consecutive “Ds” as based on the statewide assessments conducted pursuant to s. 1008.22, F.S.

3. Opportunity Scholarship Program Eligible Student Criteria Those students assigned to or in attendance during the previous school year (by way of assignment) at an OSP eligible school

4. Opportunity Scholarship Program District Obligations Offer parents of affected students the option to enroll in a higher performing public school in their district with transportation or in any other district in the state without transportation * higher performing is “C” or better based on performance grade

5. Opportunity Scholarship Program District Obligations All parents of affected students in elementary and middle school assigned to or in attendance during the previous school year (by way of assignment) must be notified of the options within 15 days of notification by the Department

6. Opportunity Scholarship Program Districts Affected 2012-13 (so far) 32 elementary and middle schools within 14 districts and 1400 students

7. Opportunity Scholarship Program District Obligations (coming up) All parents of affected students in high school assigned to or in attendance during the previous school year (by way of assignment) must be notified of the options no later than 30 days prior to the first day of school the next school year * high school grades are available

8. Opportunity Scholarship Program Notice Requirements for Opportunity Scholarship Program Rule 6A-6.0950, F.A.C. adopted by State Board of Education, May 2012

9. Opportunity Scholarship Program Questions about OSP? Contact Rachel Somers with the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice: E-mail: rachel.somers@fldoe.org Telephone: (850) 245-0502

10. McKay Scholarship Program Public School Student Eligibility Must have an active IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan Must have spent the prior year attending a Florida public school (counted in October and February) Must be enrolled in Florida public school when filing intent to participate in McKay Scholarship Program

11. McKay Scholarship Program Public School District Obligations Must, by April 1, and within 10 days of an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan meeting: Notify the parent of the student of all McKay options available, Inform the parent of the availability of the Department of Education telephone hotline and Internet website for additional information on John M. McKay Scholarships, Offer that student’s parent an opportunity to enroll the student in another public school in the district.

12. McKay Scholarship Program Public School District Obligations If the parent chooses a public school consistent with the district school board’s choice plan, the school district shall provide transportation to the public school selected by the parent If the parent chooses a public school consistent with the district school board’s choice plan, the student may continue attending the public school (feeder pattern) until the student graduates from high school The parent is responsible to provide transportation to a public school chosen that is not consistent with the district school board’s choice plan

13. McKay Scholarship Program Public School Questions about the McKay Scholarship Program? Contact the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice: Telephone: (850) 245-0502