A bill that would expand the public-school provisions of the Opportunity Scholarship Program moved through committees in both Florida legislative chambers this week. Students would be able to move from struggling public schools to higher-performing ones in any school district — even if they don’t live there — as long as the district has available space. The students would be allowed to stay in their adopted districts until they graduated.
Existing law says a student can leave a school that receives two “F” grades in a four-year period. Senate version of the new bill: Students could opt to leave any school receiving a “D” or “F” and a low rating on a separate state system that provides extra funding and support for schools that need additional help.
Students at Pine Forest and Escambia High Schools could transfer to Santa Rosa schools, as could Montclair, Weis, West Pensacola, Spencer Bibbs and Lincoln Park elementary schools. State dollars would go with the students shifting school districts.
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