ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Parents in Orange County are scrambling on Wednesday to pull their kids out of underperforming schools because of a broader state law that makes nearly 15,000 students eligible to transfer out of 11 schools.
Orange County parents received a letter in the mail about possible transfers. Last year, students at only one school were eligible for a transfer because of school choice, and 255 students took advantage of that. This year, 15,000 students could.
A line of parents stood in and out of school board headquarters on Wednesday.
Lashawn Harris' son is supposed to be a freshmen at Evans, a new $70 million high school.
"That's disappointing to know that I'm moving to that area, knowing that it was an F school," said Harris.
There are 11 D or-F rated schools in Orange County. According to reports, that means nearly 15,000 students are eligible to transfer. That's enough to fill nearly every seat at the Amway Center.
WFTV spoke with Orange County Public School's superintendent Ron Blocker to find out what's being done to improve school grades.
"This has got to be a nightmare for your staff," said WFTV reporter Daralene Jones.
"Well if you think about it as worst case scenario, it's almost daunting enough to be a nightmare," said Blocker.
A new state law, signed by Gov. Rick Scott, expands the state's school choice program. On Wednesday, parents can transfer their students if they attend a D or F-rated school. Parents can choose another school within the district, rated C or better, or choose to attend a school outside the county.
"Every kid should have a fair chance," said Harris.
The district dropped from an A to a B for the first time in three years.
Change our instructional strategies enough to make them successful. looking at each of the teachers to see what could have caused them to miss the mark. Some good teachers didnt, said Blocker.
The deadline to apply for a transfer is July 28.