Pinellas Education Foundation is dedicated to increasing student outcomes and investing our resources to strengthen public education in our community. Because we focus our work and investments on advancing student success, we closely follow policies that affect how public education resources are used.
About the Schools of Hope Program
The Schools of Hope program, created by the Florida Legislature in 2017, was intended to bring high-performing charter operators into communities served by persistently low-performing public schools. Under the program, designated Schools of Hope operators may open Title I-eligible charter schools located in or near these school attendance zones. In 2025, amendments significantly expanded the program by allowing Schools of Hope to co-locate in any underused district facilities and access district services at no cost.
Key Considerations
We appreciate the recent updates to the Schools of Hope rules and are encouraged by the state’s responsiveness to feedback from school districts and the community, which reflects meaningful progress in refining the policy.
We believe the final rule should clearly state that Schools of Hope operators are responsible for covering the appropriate per-student cost and a fair share of operational expenses when using district facilities and services.
Learn More and Take Action
The Florida State Board of Education is scheduled to meet on February 20 to consider proposed rules related to Schools of Hope implementation. The state is accepting public comments, providing an opportunity for community members to share feedback. Following the meeting, the board may vote on the final rule adoption, which would guide the Schools of Hope process moving forward.
Community input plays a critical role in shaping legislation and policies. We encourage educators, families, and community members to review the proposed rule and submit comments before it is heard on February 20.
Review the Proposed Rule
Visit the Florida Administrative Code page to view the Schools of Hope rule that went into effect on October 28, 2025, and the proposed changes:
https://flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=6A-1.0998271
Provide a Comment Before February 20
Share your comment with the Florida Department of Education. Scroll to 6A-1.0998271 and select “Submit a Comment.”:
