Since the Florida House is back in session lawmakers are setting their sights on charter schools. The legislators are quickly moving on a proposal that would create a statewide institute to assist with the opening of new charter schools.

That proposal is HB 7037 and one of its conditions is that it would also require immediate termination of any charter schools that receive subsequent F grades from the state. It would also require charter schools to submit monthly financial statements per the Miami Herald.

Lobbyist for Charter Schools USA, former senator Jim Horne told lawmakers:

The money saved will far exceed the amount of money you invest in this.

The Senate version of the proposal is SB 1448. It would also allow students that attend any traditional or charter school that has yet to reach their full capacity.

Students will also not be limited to the schools currently available in their counties.

Right now privately managed charter schools are very popular in the state. There are currently more than 600 schools which together enroll approximately 250,000 students.

Charter schools are not perfect though. There has been some hiccups from some bad actors along the way. Some have been investigated for questionable business practices and others have closed in the middle of the year.

All of the benefits and negatives are currently on the table. Jon Hage, CEO of Charter Schools USA said:

If you can raise the bar on the quality of the applications – and when [charter schools] meet the higher bar, fund them equitably – you will begin to see a higher quality of charter schools.

Other states have joined the charter school band wagon as well. New Jersey gives students in public schools vouchers to attend charter schools. The state also claims charter schools cost less per pupil then public schools so they are saying taxpayers money.