The Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) created under Florida’s A+ Education Plan reflects Florida’s commitment to higher educational standards for students.

The Opportunity Scholarship Program allows parents to choose a higher performing public school if their children attend, or are assigned to attend, a Florida public school that earned a school grade of “F” or 3 consecutive school grades of “D”, as determined by the Florida Department of Education.

On January 5, 2006, the Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling declaring a private school option of the Opportunity Scholarship Program unconstitutional.

s. 1002.38, Florida Statutes

Opportunity Scholarship Program for Pasco County:

If your student is zoned to attend failing school they may be eligible to participate in Florida’s Opportunity Scholarship Program outlined in House Bill 1331. This eligibility is based on School Grades and the schools’ performance under the Department of Education’s Differentiated Accountability Plan. At the designated schools, the School Improvement Plans include ways we will work with students to improve achievement in identified areas. These schools will also receive more focused attention from the district and state to target these areas. Parents are invited and encouraged to assist in the development of the School Improvement Plan, and to join and attend other leadership groups to help promote school improvement.

Under the Opportunity Scholarship Program, parents have the following options:

• You may choose to have your child remain at the zoned school. If you choose this option, just be sure your child is present on the first day of class.
• You may transfer your child to one of the following public schools, with district-provided transportation available:

  Zoned School

  OSP School Choice Options

* You may request to transfer your student to a “C” or better graded public school in another county, as long as space is available.

Transportation is not be provided.

*OSP school choice will be approved only if the IEP can be implemented at the requested school.