DeSantis expected to sign bill allowing charters to share public school facilities

Florida’s leadership in educational freedom took another step forward this week when lawmakers passed a bill allowing charter schools to “co-locate” inside traditional public school buildings.

Republicans advanced the measure as part of the state budget package after it faced fierce opposition from Democrat lawmakers, the Associated Press reported.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the legislation, which would allow charter schools, dubbed “schools of hope,” to operate rent-free in under-enrolled public schools, according to the AP. 

Since 2017, the Sunshine State has permitted charters to open in areas with chronically failing public schools, giving students in those neighborhoods more educational options. Charters are state-funded but privately run, giving them more control over curriculum and mission than traditional public schools, though they are still tuition-free for admitted students. 

Florida has the nation’s most robust school choice programs, with more than 500,000 participants. A recent survey found 51% of the state’s students are educated outside of conventional public schools, including through public options such as charters and specialized programs. 

Supporters say there is room for more charters as enrollment in traditional public schools declines, particularly in low-performing districts. 

The legislation also makes it easier for the state to designate a school as low-performing and allows charters to open in high-performing public schools as long as space is available. 

The law would also permit public colleges and universities to open charter schools, removing the requirement for local school board approval. Tennessee passed a similar law this year, allowing charter applicants to appeal directly to a state commission if denied multiple times by a local school board. 

While many Democratic lawmakers oppose school choice and attempt to restrict the expansion of charters and other alternatives, research strongly suggests that public schools improve when other educational options are available. 

Florida exemplifies this trend, topping U.S. News & World Report’s education rankings in two of the past three years.