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House Passes Bill Expanding Virtual Schools, Vouchers
May 3, 2011
The House and Senate approved a slew of bills Monday to expand virtual schools and voucher programs, potentially siphoning more students away from traditional public schools.
One of the bills, an expansion of the John McKay scholarship program for students with disabilities, is one signature away from becoming law after the Senate approved the House bill on Monday.
The measures reflect a Republican priority of boosting “school choice,” whether it be more virtual classes, expansion of charter schools or vouchers for private schools. This is largely an extension of education reforms that began with Gov. Jeb Bush in the late 1990s with his push for private school vouchers.
“It’s about doing what is right for students,” said Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, during House floor debate. “We want you as a parent to have the choice to go to whatever school you feel is best for your student.”
The bills have the backing of Gov. Rick Scott, who campaigned on promises that the state would offer more school choice.
But advocates for public schools see the changes to Florida’s education system as a way of chipping away at public schools by using state funds that would have gone to school districts to instead help support private schools and virtual schools.
“This Legislature, under the leadership of (Senate President Mike) Haridopolos and (House Speaker Dean) Cannon, have side-stepped their requirement to take care of public schools, they are just looking for gimmicks that can save the state some money,” said Florida Education Association President Andy Ford.
Among the bills approved by the House on Monday are:
-HB 1331: Expands the definition of a failing public school from a school that has received an “F” in a four-year period to a school that has received a “D” or “F” in the prior year, and allowing students in failing public schools to use the Opportunity Scholarship to transfer to a higher-rated public school elsewhere in the state.
-HB 7197: Requires students take a virtual class prior to graduation and allows children as young as kindergarten to take full-time virtual school classes with private vendors paid for by state funds. It allows the development of virtual charter schools and expands the amount of grades the Florida Virtual School can offer.
-HB 965: Allows companies that donate to a corporate tax scholarship group to receive a tax credit worth 100 percent of that donation. Under current law, these companies only get a tax discount worth 75 percent of their contribution. Corporate contributions go toward scholarship groups that use these funds to pay for private school vouchers. This bill was amended to take out a provision that would have given these scholarship groups access to a list of the top 100 taxpayers in Florida in order to approach them for donations.
The Senate approved on Monday:
-HB 1329: An expansion of the John McKay scholarship for students with disabilities. It expands the definition of disabled students, allowing potentially up to 50,000 more students to receive state funds to attend a private school.
Democrats are generally opposed to these changes, citing concern about a failure to help struggling schools and an emphasis on virtual classes that may not benefit students who don’t have much exposure to computers.
“We don’t have failing schools, we have failing communities because parents aren’t getting involved,” said Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Hallandale Beach. “We should be trying to make sure we get parents more involved.”
Under HB 1331, more students could leave failing schools, Democrats said, crippling the school’s ability to improve.
During debate on the virtual school expansion bill, Democrats said they were concerned about the emphasis on virtual classes, given the inconsistent exposure that Florida students have to computers. “We have students who lack home access,” said Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami. “This puts some students at a disadvantage.”
Supporters of virtual school expansion said children are savvy at online interactions and the bill better equips them to handle online classes in college. “The classroom is simply not the same as when we were in school and we were kids,” said Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville. “This bill will let parents know about the options and will help our kids go into the 21st century and prepare them.”
The Senate also passed a bill (SB 1546) last week that makes it easier for highly-rated charter schools to expand enrollment and add grades, paving the way for more charter schools competing for public school students.
The combination of these bills and a cut to school funding in the budget means tough times for school districts, said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, a former superintendent.
“You will see some tough times in school districts throughout Florida,” Montford said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Comments
8 Responses to “House Passes Bill Expanding Virtual Schools, Vouchers”
Thank heavens there are people out there who are putting words into action. Without this option, my son would not have the opportunity to get away from the bullying that he faced every day in public school. The schools do their best to handle bullying but it is still an epidemic. I am so thankful that I have an option where my child feels “safe” now. For the first time in a long time, because he is attending a virtual school, my son is happy again.
In addition, my daughter started college at Auburn University last year. The majority of her classes were online classes. She was totally unprepared and struggled academically for the first time in her life. Had she been better prepared for this type of learning style then she would have done much better that first year. Virtual school is a way of the future.
Public school is the best option for some children, but it is definitely not for everyone! I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to decide what is best for my children. Thank you to those that stepped up and made this happen!
I love this bill. I am very interested in having my son attend FLVS for his Kindergarten year. As a parent I am happy to have more options available to my children.
I worry that the public school system isn’t failing because of lack of funds as much as not having any competition. What was the incentive for doing better before – there weren’t a lot of options for parents. Now that parents can send their children to charter schools or virtual schools I see a change in attitude. I can’t help but feel the same way I did when leaving my phone and cable companies for something better – “too little, too late”.
“Some people do not have access to the internet – what good does it do them???”
Not everything is for everybody.
However, if you know anyone who doesn’t have internet access and you are reading this note, that person knows somebody who DOES have internet access.
David for sharing
More likely his wife is going into the school bidness, Sierra. And I’m with you on the conspiracies.
Sometimes I feel like I’m trapped on the old Art Bell show or living in a Palestinian town.Those folks can really cook up a good yarn.
I may be as conspiracy ridden as some GOP’s around here but this virtual school deal popping up so sudden with Gov. Rick Snott makes me wonder if he has some cronies that need their kids to study at home for some reason. See I’m getting paranoid.
I am with Sierra. Most of these schools are not set up right to help a student. It may help some, but for the majority it doesn’t. It says it wants the parents to have options. What options would that be. If a Teacher or principal, doesn’t agree with the parent on what they think is right for the child. the child is labled. They put these children in a Charter school and it takes them forever to be weened out to the regular school system. OUR REAL (public) SCHOOLS need help big time. The parents are asked before School even starts for a long list of supplies, because the Schools don’t have the money for books/supplies, but yet they want to give what money they can for Charter,. voucher Schools. Every child deserves the best education they can get, but taking money out of the public Schools, isn’t the answer. Alot of these programs aren’t in the best interest of the child, but more to, we don’t want to handle this child so we will lable him, there for he can go to one of the offered charter/voucher Schools. This of course is just my opinion, from what I have seen and heard and know of!
Hi Sierra, I am not sure if you are familiar with cyber education, but there are requirements to be educated online. First and foremost, students must have access to the internet. Some cyber schools also offer a stipend to help families pay for internet service, since it can be pricey in some areas. I
This money should be used to help the REAL schools not Virtual schools!! Some people do not have access to the internet – what good does it do them???