The Florida Senate

228.057  Public school parental choice.--

(1)  As used in this section, "controlled open enrollment" means a public education delivery system that allows school districts to make student school assignments using parents' indicated preferential school choice as a significant factor.

(2)  Beginning with the 1997-1998 school year, each district school board may offer controlled open enrollment within the public schools. The controlled open enrollment program shall be offered in addition to the existing choice programs such as magnet schools, alternative schools, special programs, advanced placement, and dual enrollment.

(3)  Each district school board shall develop a controlled open enrollment plan which describes the implementation of subsection (2).

(4)  School districts shall adhere to federal desegregation requirements. No controlled open enrollment plan that conflicts with federal desegregation orders shall be implemented.

(5)  Each school district shall develop a system of priorities for its plan that includes consideration of the following:

(a)  An application process required to participate in the controlled open enrollment program.

(b)  A process that allows parents to declare school preferences.

(c)  A process that encourages placement of siblings within the same school.

(d)  A lottery procedure used by the school district to determine student assignment.

(e)  An appeals process for hardship cases.

(f)  The procedures to maintain socioeconomic, demographic, and racial balance.

(g)  The availability of transportation.

(h)  A process that promotes strong parental involvement, including the designation of a parent liaison.

(i)  A strategy that establishes a clearinghouse of information designed to assist parents in making informed choices.

(6)  Plans shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Education by June 30, 1997. The Commissioner of Education shall develop an annual report on the status of school choice and deliver the report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least 90 days prior to the convening of the regular session of the Legislature.

(7)  The Department of Education shall develop, during the 1996-1997 school year, recommendations for a public school parental choice incentive program to benefit district school boards that implement a public school parental choice plan pursuant to subsection (2) for the 1997-1998 school year. In developing the program, the department may consider financial, as well as other, incentives.

(8)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section, a school district with schools operating on both multiple session schedules and single session schedules shall afford parents of students in multiple session schools preferred access to the controlled open enrollment program of the school district.

History.--s. 7, ch. 96-186; s. 24, ch. 97-234.