JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – School choice remains a hot topic in Florida’s education policy. With the conversation around charter schools versus public schools growing more intense in recent years.
Advocates for charter schools say they provide more options and flexibility for families. Meanwhile, supporters of public schools worry about the lack of accountability for charter schools.
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Damaris Allen, director of Families for Strong Public Schools, emphasized the need for transparency.
“It’s really important to be able to provide the data and the information to parents so that they can have an informed decision, so that they can make the best decision for their kids. Right now, the state is failing to provide us with that information,” she said.
The Florida Department of Education describes charter schools as public schools that operate under a performance contract or “charter.” This contract frees them from many regulations traditional public schools must follow.
Like public schools, charter schools are open to all students living in the district where the school is located. However, charter schools can also target certain students, such as those at risk of dropping out or failing, or those who meet specific eligibility standards set by the school.
Allen hopes Florida’s education system will shift away from competition.
“I think it’s this idea that we’re competing for kids is unhealthy for kids. I think that it should be a collaboration,” she said.
Focusing on Duval County, which has 44 charter schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade, the school grades reveal a mixed picture.
Of the county’s schools:
- 59 earned an A (45 district, 14 charter)
- 53 earned a B (44 district, 9 charter)
- 56 earned a C (46 district, 10 charter)
- 7 earned a D (2 district, 5 charter)
- 1 charter school received an F
Recently, University Preparatory Academy, a charter school in West Palm Beach, announced it would close just weeks before the new school year.
The school said on its website, “Following the recent release of school grades, we have made the difficult decision that our school will not be reopening for the 2025-2026 school year. This decision was reached only after thorough consideration of every possible alternative.”
Palm Beach County Schools said it is ready to welcome every student affected by the closure.
Allen pointed out a key difference in governance. Public schools have full accountability through elected school boards, while charter schools do not.
“That system does not exist in our private voucher schools, and that doesn’t exist in our public charter schools. And that’s a real flaw I see with the system. Public dollars should come with public accountability,” she said.
Whether parents prefer public or charter schools, Allen wants the focus to remain on students, “and stop being about making the money or taking the money away or competing for the money, and make it about doing what’s best for our kids and for the future of Florida.
“We would have a completely different system than we have right now,” she said.
News4JAX requested an interview with IDEA Public Schools, a local charter school, but they were unable to fulfill our request.
