FPSCC UPDATE

By Kathleen Harris Administrator of the North and Central Florida School Choice Resource Center

The Florida Public School Choice Consortium (FPSCC) held three regional meetings since the spring.   On May 9, 2007 15 members gathered in Tampa to represent the central region of the state.   At this meeting it was determined that an award should be created and granted to one individual and one district showing visionary leadership or positive impact on school choice in Florida.   A subcommittee was formed to draft the criteria and establish the process for seeking, accepting and reviewing nominations for this award. Dr. Rodriguez shared information about he statewide Parent Advisory Council and the "Public School Summit" that was being planned.

The second meeting took place for the South region in Miami on July 11, 2007 and focused and remembering and paying tribute to Dr. Carlo Rodriguez.   It was decided that the FPSCC award would be named the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Champion of School Choice Award.   This meeting also resulted in some program areas of the FPSCC Conference to be held in Orlando on Sept 30- 0ct 2, 2007. (Go to www.fpscc.org to get more information and register)

Through a critical conversation format some of the main obstacles for offering equitable school choice were identified and possible strategies for addressing them were developed.   Sessions at the fall conference will continue this conversation and be followed by a release of FPSCC suggested strategies to all the membership and interested parties.   It was also determined that a session at the fall conference would be held to generate common definitions of many school choice terms and programs.   These suggested definitions will be move forward to a state level at the School Choice Summit to be offered by the FDOE sometime this winter.(watch our web page for information)

Creating a venue for professional dialogue and the exchange of ideas is a primary purpose of the FPSCC and these regional meetings offered a way to increase awareness, participation and inclusion.    They will continue throughout the coming school year.   Watch the website at www.fpscc.org website for upcoming dates.