Economically Disadvantaged Students Win Support In Manatee County

Press Release

FLORIDA – March 10, 2017  – 90% of voters support parents’ right to send their child to the school of their choice, revealed a poll recently conducted in Manatee County by the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA). This level of support for choice — whether a public charter school, magnet program, home school, private, or district-run school – in Manatee mirrors the results of national and statewide polls.

“It’s important school board members understand how their constituents feel about school choice and the value those programs bring to parents in their community,” explains Ralph Arza, FCSA’s director of Governmental Affairs.

There was also great support for keeping public charter school that appropriately serve the most economically disadvantaged students open. The FCSA poll in Manatee also revealed that more than 79% of respondents believe a public charter school that serves the most diverse and economically disadvantaged students should be given every opportunity to succeed.

“Parents want more, not less, education choice,” explains Lynn Norman-Teck, executive director of the Florida Charter School Alliance. “We conduct polls throughout the state to get real feedback from parents and voters about education issues, and we share the results with decision makers – like school board members.” In the coming days, board members for the School District of Manatee County will decide whether to renew a kindergarten through eighth grade charter school that serves a high-need community. Of the 700 students who attend that school, 80% are minority and 100% are classified economically disadvantaged.

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