Florida law paves way for charter schools to enter Miami public campuses

A major charter school network announced Thursday that it will expand into Miami, following the passage of a new Florida law that eases restrictions on privately run schools and allows greater access to state funding. The network, backed by Citadel founder Ken Griffin, had lobbied state legislators for the legislation, which was added to a budget package on the final day of the legislative session, according to the Associated Press.Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has championed school choice initiatives, attended the announcement alongside Success Academy Charter Schools CEO Eva Moskowitz and Griffin, a prominent GOP donor who has pledged $50 million to the network’s Florida expansion. DeSantis said that Miami is just the beginning, as reported by the Associated Press.The law allows charter schools to operate within existing public school campuses, including high-performing schools with underused facilities, and qualify for additional state funding. The 'schools of hope' program, first created in 2017, was designed to open publicly funded, privately run schools in areas where traditional public schools have struggled, giving families alternative options.Success Academy, a major charter network in New York City, has built a reputation for raising test scores and preparing students for college, particularly among low-income communities of color. But the network has faced criticism for selectively admitting students and pushing out those who require more support, according to reporting by the New York Times.At the Miami announcement, DeSantis highlighted the broader ecosystem created by the legislation. He said the law allows charter operators to take over schools that underperform and predicted new campuses could open across Florida, including in Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and West Palm Beach, according to the Associated Press.Under the new law, public school districts must provide the same facilities services to charter operators as they do to their own schools, including custodial work, maintenance, school safety, food service, nursing, and student transportation without cost to the charters.Not all reactions were positive. The executive director of Miami public education advocacy group P.S. 305, described the expansion as a corporate takeover. She said that Miami’s public schools are community lifelines, not corporate assets, according to the Associated Press.As Florida continues to loosen restrictions on charter schools, the move underscores ongoing debates over public funding, school choice, and the role of private operators in managing public education.