325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    DR. AKSHAY DESAI
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
     
     
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
    DATE: February 1, 2008
     
    TO: School District Superintendents
     
    FROM: Dr. Eric J. Smith
     
    SUBJECT: Military Enrollment Preference in Magnet Schools
     
    Please let this memo serve as a reminder to Superintendents of Section 1003.05(3), Florida
    Statutes, which gives priority to military dependents. In order to accommodate the mobility of
    these families and particularly the students, this statute provides enrollment preference into
    specific special academic programs including magnet schools:
     
     
    Assistance to transitioning students from military families
    (3) Dependent children of active duty military personnel who otherwise meet the
    eligibility criteria for special academic programs offered through public schools shall be
    given first preference for admission to such program even if the program is being offered
    through a public school other than the school to which the student would generally be
    assigned. . .For purposes of this subsection, special academic programs include
    magnet
    schools
    , advanced studies programs, advanced placement, dual enrollment, Advanced
    International Certificate of Education, and International Baccalaureate.
     
     
    During the 2006 Legislative Session, charter schools were removed from the list of special
    academic programs, thereby removing the military enrollment preference for charter schools.
    This preference however still remains active for admission to magnet schools. Please be mindful
    of this option as you assist transitioning military students.
     
    Should you have any questions, please contact Jean Miller, in the Office of Independent
    Education and Parental Choice at (850) 245-0502, for further information.
    FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    Dr. Eric J. Smith
    Commissioner of Education

    Back to top