FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
April 25, 2005
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Virginia K. Gentles, Executive Director
Independent Education and Parental Choice
Jim
Warford,
Chancellor
K-12
Public
Schools
SUBJECT: Parent Notification of the Opportunity Scholarship Option
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
INCREASING THE QUANTITY AND IMPROVING THE
QUALITY OF EDUCATION OPTIONS
CONTACT PERSON
Name:
Claire D. Philippe
Phone:
(850) 245-0858
Suncom:
205-0858
Email:
Claire.Philippe@fldoe.org
The Department of Education is working to increase the quantity and improve the quality of education options for
students and parents, and school districts play a key role in this effort.
As you know, school districts are required by statute to inform parents of eligible students of their option to use an
Opportunity Scholarship for their child to attend a private school or a higher performing public school of choice
within their home district (Section 1002.38(3), Florida Statutes). Since school districts vary in notification
approaches, we have attached a short form for you to complete to identify your method(s) of notification, timeline of
notification, and further efforts related to parental notification of options. Also, attached is a template letter that you
may consider using to notify your parents of eligible students.
It is strongly recommended that parental notification in your district be completed within two (2) days or less of the
release of school grades. This will allow parents sufficient time to choose a private school and register and enroll
their child by the
July 1, 2005,
deadline established in law. Please fax the completed District Parent Notification
Report to our office
no later than Friday, June 24, 2005
.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
VG/JW/cdp
Attachments
cc:
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District Opportunity Scholarship Contacts
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
VIRGINIA GENTLES
Executive Director
Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 522 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0502 • Fax (850) 245-0875
