Florida draws New York charter school operator seeking more freedom

The big story: New York’s largest charter school operator is on its way to Florida.

Citing Florida’s openness to to school choice options, Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz asked for and received permission to become a “School of Hope” provider. Lawmakers created the “Schools of Hope” program in 2017 to bring high performing charters from around the nation into some of the state’s academically lowest performing communities.

Other groups that have taken advantage of the funding and streamlined approval process include IDEA from Texas and KIPP from New Jersey.

Moskowitz told the State Board of Education that working in New York, though gratifying, has become increasingly difficult. “I want to be in a place that’s high-growth, that’s high-innovation, that is welcoming to parental choice,” she said.