LOCKDOWN HIGHLIGHTS WHY WE SHOULD FUND STUDENTS INSTEAD OF SCHOOL SYSTEMS 

From YourObserver.com

By Corey DeAngelis and Adrian Moore

This thought-provoking opinion piece makes the case for funding students instead of school systems in this era of the pandemic.

Funding students directly allows less advantaged families to afford various schooling options. READ MORE

Legal Reinstatement of Charter for Championship Academy of Distinction in Davie is Applauded

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) urges Broward County School Board to accept administrative law judge's ruling and reject filing an appeal. 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 14, 2020) – The recent ruling by a Florida administrative law judge to reinstate the charter of Championship Academy of Distinction in Davie has been met with a positive response from the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS).

Judge Cathy Sellers issued an order in favor of the charter school and its legal battle with the Broward County School Board, which Judge Sellers said should not have terminated the school's charter.  The Broward School Board revoked the charter at the beginning of the 2019/2020 school year based on issues related to school security requirements mandated by the Florida Legislature.

The judge's 66-page opinion noted there was no "immediate and serious danger" to students at Champion Academy of Distinction and no evidence of a threat or actions constituting a threat.

Robert Haag, President of FCPCS, applauded the administrative law judge's order and called on the Broward School Board to accept it without appeal.

"We see no need to waste taxpayer dollars with an appeal of this clear and detailed decision," said Haag.  He said Championship Academy of Distinction in Davie should be allowed to open virtually "without interference" for the 2020/2021 school year on Wednesday, Aug. 19.  

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools 

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools. 

SUPERINTENDENTS ASK STATE TO ADDRESS COVID-19 TESTING ISSUES 

From News4JAX
By Ana Ceballos     Published: August 10, 2020

As Florida schools reopen this month, district superintendents are calling on state officials to address two major challenges: the need for rapid testing for COVID-19 and a statewide plan to handle students and staff members who test positive. READ MORE

CHILDREN AND THE VIRUS: AS SCHOOLS REOPEN, MUCH REMAINS UNKNOWN ABOUT THE RISK TO KIDS AND THE PERIL THEY POSE TO OTHERS

From The Washington Post

By Haisten Willis,Chelsea Janes and Ariana Eunjung Cha
August 10, 2020

For months, parents and teachers, epidemiologists and politicians have chimed in with their views on the many still-unanswered questions about the extent to which the virus is a threat to children — and the extent to which they can fuel its spread.  READ MORE