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