Bill > S0424

This bill modifies existing Florida law regarding persistently low-performing schools, specifically changing the definitions and regulations for "schools of hope" (charter schools designed to serve students from low-performing areas). The bill removes several provisions that previously allowed hope operators to easily access school district facilities, including deleting language that permitted hope schools to colocate with other schools in public facilities, automatically use underused or vacant school district facilities at no cost, and be included in the district's capital outlay calculations. The definition of a "persistently low-performing school" is narrowed, removing a previous criterion about bottom 10% performance in specific academic assessments. The bill also adjusts language around facility requirements, reducing some mandatory provisions and giving local governing authorities more discretion in how they treat hope schools. While maintaining the core concept of hope schools as Title I eligible charter schools serving students from low-performing areas, the bill appears to make it more challenging for hope operators to obtain and use school district facilities. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, providing school districts and hope operators advance notice of the new regulations.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/424