Funded: Charters

Charter funding policies and reporting practices within each state may vary depending on the entity that authorized the charter school. Charter schools in Florida are authorized by local school districts. Universities have limited authority to authorize charter lab schools.

Funding for charter schools in Florida is calculated based on a formula similar to the one used to calculate funding for traditional public schools.

Like traditional public schools, charter schools are funded through a student-based formula that considers the characteristics of students they educate. Charter schools are funded based on the revenue per weighted student count in their local school district, including state funding, revenue from both required and discretionary local property taxes, and lottery funding. In Florida, the student count is weighted for students in certain grade levels, English-language learners, students from low-income households, and other characteristics. Charter schools receive the district’s revenue per weighted student for each weighted student count attributed to the charter.

Charter schools also receive a proportionate share of categorical program funds for eligible students and programs.

Charter schools in Florida receive all funding through local school districts.

Charter schools receive funding through the local school district where they are located.

Charter schools in Florida will have a share of their funding withheld, with the maximum set by state law.

The entity overseeing the charter school may withhold an administrative fee. The administrative fee is limited at 5% of the funding generated by up to 250 students for most charter schools, at 5% of the funding generated by up to 500 students for some charter systems, and at 2% of the funding generated by up to 250 students for some high-performing charter schools. If more than 75% of students in the charter school are students with disabilities and/or gifted and talented students, the fee is calculated based on the charter’s unweighted per student funding level.

All charter schools in Florida receive a share of local tax revenue.

Charter schools in Florida receive all funding from the local school districts where they are located, and charter funding is calculated in a way that includes the school district’s revenue from local sources, including both required and discretionary property tax levies. In addition, some charter schools will also receive a portion of their school district’s levy for capital outlay and maintenance, with charter schools serving a student population where more than 75% of students are eligible for free and reduced price lunch or where more than 25% are students with disabilities receiving more.

Some charter schools in Florida constitute their own local education agencies, while others are a part of local education agencies.

Charter schools in Florida are generally part of the district’s local education agency. However, a charter system that has all of its schools within the same county, has a total enrollment exceeding at least one district in the state, and has a single governing board may constitute its own local education agency.

State contacts did not confirm how charter school students in Florida are reported.

State contacts did not confirm how state funding for charter schools in Florida is reported.

State contacts did not confirm how charter expenditures are reported in Florida.

Click here for Florida's traditional district funding information.