Application for Charter Schools Way Up, Despite Lukewarm Results

BRADENTON – Rick Scott made it clear while campaigning that he favored charter schools as an alternative to the traditional public education model. As governor, no one can accuse him of not fulfilling his campaign promises, but skeptics are concerned that the moves to open the state up even more widely to charter school education are backed by too much ideology and not enough results. Scott made major waver last month when he announced that he would award all of the state's $55 million in PECO funds to charter schools, much to the chagrin of budget-ailing public schools.

Scott's message has been well received among the charter school industry. Applications are way up this year as national charter companies zoom in on a state that they recognize as sensitive to their cause. Scott wasn't the first governor to open his arms to the charter concept. Former governor Jeb Bush was also a big advocate of the charter model and created a welcoming environment that led to Florida being 4th in the nation in the number of active charter schools with 411 statewide, according to the department of education.

In addition to the funding cues, the legislature has also made it easier for charter companies to expand within the state, reducing school districts' ability to reject applications. Widespread public frustration with districts that have been unable to control spending or justify rising costs with flat or falling results, despite what many see as bloated, top-heavy budgets has also created a more open view of charters as an alternative.

However, when the fruits of charter proliferation are examined, it's not at all clear that they are a viable alternative to public schools and quite possibly come at a detriment to public education. While charter schools make up just 15 percent of the total schools in Florida, they nonetheless account for just under half of those with an F rating (15 of 31). The public money that is being directed toward their capital costs, which were supposed to be self-funded, as well as the increased regulation of traditional school districts has also drawn criticism from advocates of traditional public education.

When added to the fact that many veteran teachers are reportedly retiring or leaving the profession because of the cuts in compensation benefits and increased ties of standardized test scores to their career advancement, and the fact that Governor Scott made the decision to direct the PECO funds without a dialog, commission review, debate or up/down vote of any kind is seen by some as an effort to stack the deck in favor of the charter school model he openly advocates. Given Florida's place in the national education landscape, there is clearly room for debate in terms of alternatives to the historic model, but directing resources and favorable deregulation toward a model that has done so little to demonstrate viability is understandably going to incite concern that we are jumping from the frying pan, only to land on the open flame.