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Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice

Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice
 

 Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice 

Opportunity Scholarship Program FAQs

Definition and Eligibility

  1. What is the Opportunity Scholarship Program?
    The Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) is a school choice program created by the Florida Legislature in the 1999 Legislative Session as part of the A+ Education Plan. Opportunity Scholarships are available for eligible students to attend the eligible public school of their choice.

  2. Who is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?
    A public school student is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship to attend an eligible public school of their choice if one of the following criteria is met:
    • The student spent the prior school year in attendance at a public school which was graded “F”, and the school has had such low performance for two years in a four-year period;
    • The student was in attendance elsewhere in the public school system and has been assigned to such a school;
    • The student is entering kindergarten or first grade and has been assigned to such a school.
  3. Are private school students eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?
    No. The only students eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship are current public school students, or those students who are just entering the school system in kindergarten or first grade.
  4. When does the Opportunity Scholarship begin at a public school?
    The OSP becomes available to students at a public school when that school has had two years of low performance in a four-year period. Under current law, “two years in a four year period” means that if a school has a grade of “F” in any two of the prior four years, the students who attended the school the year in which the school received its second “F” are eligible for Opportunity Scholarships.
  5. What are the options available to a student under the Opportunity Scholarship Program?
    Once a school has been designated as “F” for two years in a four-year period, eligible students have several options available to them, including:
    • Attendance at a higher performing public school within the district;
    • Attendance at a higher performing public school in a neighboring district, as long as space is available; or
    • Student may remain at the currently assigned school.
  6. How do I find out if my child is eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship?

    Once a school has been designated as "F" for two out of the last four years, it is the responsibility of the local school district to notify parents of students attending this school of the school's performance and of their options under the program. Annual school performance grades are released by the Department of Education and can be accessed through this web site.

Scholarship Participation

  1. How long does an Opportunity Scholarship last?
    An eligible student may use the Opportunity Scholarship to continue attending a higher performing school within the district, or in an adjacent district, until the student graduates from high school.
  2. Who provides for transportation?
    Transportation is dependent on the option chosen by the parent or guardian of the eligible student.
    • If a parent chooses a higher performing public school within the district, the school district is responsible for providing transportation.
    • If a parent chooses a higher performing public school in an adjacent district, as long as space is available, the parent or guardian is responsible for providing transportation.