FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2010

FLORIDA COALITION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTIONS ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR SB 2262 AND HOUSE BILL 1173 RELATING TO VIRTUAL EDUCATION

Today the Florida Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options announced their support for Senate bill 2262 and House bill 1173 relating to virtual education. Florida Chapter Chair, Wendy Howard, commends sponsors Senator John Thrasher (R - Jacksonville) and Representative Erik Fresen (R - Miami) for filing legislation that will bring true school choice back to Florida.

"These bills go a long way to correct the current inequities in virtual education and school choice created by current Florida law. Our hope is that these bills continue to move forward so that the families we represent who are currently blocked from accessing virtual education will finally have this quality educational choice." said Howard.

Current law requires students to attend a public school one-year prior before allowing them to enroll in to a virtual school and does not allow the creation of virtual charter schools. Senate bill 2262 and House bill 1173 removes what the Florida Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Options believes are unfair restrictions.  

"There are States out there that have over 20,000 students in a full-time virtual program, and the current flaws in the law keep Florida's numbers at around 2,500 full-time students. So I am extremely excited to tell our members that we have found champions in Senator Thrasher and Representative Fresen who understand that when creating education policy the most important stakeholders are the students and families they represent. Giving these students every available option to succeed will always benefit Florida." said Howard.

The Florida Chapter of the National Coalition for Public School Choice represents families across the state that support and defend parents' rights to access the best public school options for their children.  The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs.  Additionally, the Coalition advocates for free and equal access without restrictions to these public schools for all children.

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For a PDF of this release CLICK HERE.