2010 11 Greater TampaSt Petersburg Education Guide 2010 11 Greater TampaSt Petersburg Education Guide : Page 91

2010-11 Greater Tampa / St. Petersburg Education Guide RESOURCES contract binding the school to the county school board. Public School Alternative Schools Public Schools offer a variety of pro-grams often referred to as “Schools of Choice, Choices or Choice Options.” These can include Magnet schools and Magnet programs, cluster schools, school transfer programs, charter schools and county operated virtual schools. Each county operates their own programs based on the needs of their community and students. Here’s some of the basics: Magnet programs promote student diversity through choice and enhance equitable access for all students to high quality education. Magnet programs will strengthen student knowledge of acad-emic subjects that will lead to increased student acquisition of marketable ca-reer, technological and professional skills for informed career decisions. Virtual Schools Some counties offer and operate a variety of virtual school programs many being affiliated with Florida Virtual School, www.flvs.net, 407-513-FLVS or info@flvs.net. You can learn more about each county’s specific offerings by visiting each county’s website: Hillsborough County: www.sdhc.k12.fl.us Pinellas County: www.pcsb.org Pasco County: www.pasco.k12.fl.us Polk County: www.polk-fl.net Hernando County: www.hernandoschools.org Hillsborough County Choice Options What are Hillsborough Choice Op-tions? Hillsborough Choice Options are a variety of education opportunities from which parents can choose based on their child’s needs or interests. Call the Choice Information Line at 813-272-4692 for application dates and in-formation, or visit the Choice Options website at http://choice.mysdhc.org Magnet Schools Magnet Programs are a component of the public school system operated by each county but offer students of ele-mentary, middle and high schools the unique opportunity to engage in inten-sive study in specific areas. Magnets programs promote academic rigor and reflect the diversity of each school dis-trict while allowing students to discover their talents and explore their interests and career goals. High school magnet programs provide unique personalized learning communities. Charter Schools Charter Schools are funded in part by the Florida Dept of Education in the same manner as all other public schools. Additional funding is obtained through grants and private donations. They are operated by, or organized as, nonprofit organizations, institutions, universities and/or a combination of more than one group. The school is accountable to the local county school board, but are not required to abide by the same policies and procedures of the main stream pub-lic schools. This allows a charter school to decide the subject matter and man-ner it is taught. This “charter” acts as a Attendance Area Schools The school board has established at-tendance area schools for all students based on their residential address. A student’s residence is defined as the res-idence of his or her parent(s), legal guardian, legal custodian or other such person as defined by any order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction of the state of Florida. Periodically, the school board updates a school atten-dance boundary. continued on page 92 www.americaseducationguide.com 91

Public School Alternative Schools

Public Schools offer a variety of programs often referred to as “Schools of Choice, Choices or Choice Options.” These can include Magnet schools and Magnet programs, cluster schools, school transfer programs, charter schools and county operated virtual schools. Each county operates their own programs based on the needs of their community and students. Here’s some of the basics: Magnet Schools Magnet Programs are a component of the public school system operated by each county but offer students of elementary, middle and high schools the unique opportunity to engage in intensive study in specific areas. Magnets programs promote academic rigor and reflect the diversity of each school district while allowing students to discover their talents and explore their interests and career goals. High school magnet programs provide unique personalized learning communities. Magnet programs promote student diversity through choice and enhance equitable access for all students to high quality education. Magnet programs will strengthen student knowledge of academic subjects that will lead to increased student acquisition of marketable career, technological and professional skills for informed career decisions. Charter Schools Charter Schools are funded in part by the Florida Dept of Education in the same manner as all other public schools. Additional funding is obtained through grants and private donations. They are operated by, or organized as, nonprofit organizations, institutions, universities and/or a combination of more than one group. The school is accountable to the local county school board, but are not required to abide by the same policies and procedures of the main stream public schools. This allows a charter school to decide the subject matter and manner it is taught. This “charter” acts as a contract binding the school to the county school board. Virtual Schools Some counties offer and operate a variety of virtual school programs many being affiliated with Florida Virtual School, www.flvs.net, 407-513-FLVS or info@flvs.net. You can learn more about each county’s specific offerings by visiting each county’s website: Hillsborough County: www.sdhc.k12.fl.us Pinellas County: www.pcsb.org Pasco County: www.pasco.k12.fl.us Polk County: www.polk-fl.net Hernando County: www.hernandoschools.org Hillsborough County Choice Options What are Hillsborough Choice Options? Hillsborough Choice Options are a variety of education opportunities from which parents can choose based on their child’s needs or interests. Call the Choice Information Line at 813- 272-4692 for application dates and information, or visit the Choice Options website at http://choice.mysdhc.org Attendance Area Schools The school board has established attendance area schools for all students based on their residential address. A student’s residence is defined as the residence of his or her parent(s), legal guardian, legal custodian or other such person as defined by any order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction of the state of Florida. Periodically, the school board updates a school attendance boundary. Career & Technical Education Career and Technical Education has strong connections with the major areas of interest through our many career academies. A career academy is a small learning community that consists of academic and Career and Technical Education teachers on an interdisciplinary team. Teams share groups of students and monitor achievement, provide academic interventions, and implement integrated curricula. An essential element of academies involves a strong partnership with employers, the community, and postsecondary institutions. The unique support system provided by academies prepares students for postsecondary education, the workforce, and adult life. For more information, please call the Office of Career and Technical Education at 813-231-1860. Charter Schools Charter schools are public elementary, middle, and high schools that are independently operated and have a contract with Hillsborough County School Board. To apply, the parent or guardian must contact the school directly or visit the Charter School’s website. For information, call the Charter Office at 813-272-4049, or visit http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/charter Home Education Home education is defined by Florida Statute as “sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent in order to satisfy the attendance requirements of SS.1002.41, 1003. 01 (4), and 1003.21 (1).” Call the Home Education office at 813-272- 4995 for information, or visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/homeeducation John M. McKay Scholarships The John M. McKay Scholarship option is a state-operated voucher program for exceptional students with Individual Education Plans. For questions regarding the John M. McKay Scholarship Program, visit the website at www.floridaschoolchoice.org, call the Florida Department of Education, Office of Independent Education at 1-800- 447-1636, or the school district’s Exceptional Student Education Office at 813-273-7513. Magnet Schools Magnet schools offer theme-based curricula at elementary, middle and high schools. Themes include world studies; environmental studies; engineering; performing arts; architecture; creative sciences; health professions; math, science & technology; international studies, cultural arts & humanities; animal science; gifted/talent development; Boys Preparatory and Girls Preparatory Academies; International Baccalaureate. Transportation is provided. Call the Choice Information Line at 813-272-4692 or visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/magnet NCLB Choice Federal law provides parents the option of choosing different schools for their children if their current Title I school does not make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years. Hillsborough County Public Schools use many of the above options to meet these requirements. For questions regarding NCLB Choice, call 813-272-4692. School Choice School Choice provides parents and guardians with children entering grades K-11 the opportunity to choose three non-magnet schools or career and technical education programs. Parents can choose from a list of schools with space available. Visit http://choice.mysdhc.org or call the Choice Information Line at 813-272-4692 for application dates and information. Virtual School Hillsborough County Public Schools offers virtual programs for students in grades K-12 who reside in Hillsborough County. For more information, visit www.online.mysdhc.org or call 813- 272-4362. Pinellas County Options Pinellas County Schools offers a unique variety of school options of the highest quality, including career technical opportunities, magnet programs, accelerated Dual Enrollment courses, and virtual classes all designed to enhance learning and to provide students with the innovative tools and technology to achieve excellence and success in the classroom and in life. Designated Career Technical Programs The district’s Designated Career Technical Programs offer students the opportunity to develop skills in a hands-on curriculum and earn high school credit, college credit and industry certification in multiple areas including computer hardware/software, graphics and web design, education and leadership, construction and culinary arts technologies. Magnet Programs Magnet Programs provide a wide range of theme-centered programs including International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AICE, visual and performing arts, advanced technologies, wellness and medical, criminal justice, automotive, engineering, sciences and technology. Career Academy Four-year Career Academy programs are designed to blend a student’s required academic courses with the technical program to prepare students for national and industry certification, twoyear college, or entry into a chosen field. Many of these programs are designated Centers of Excellence offering rigorous curriculum that prepares students for college, while giving them the skills that Florida employers need. A variety of programs are offered at different high schools around Pinellas County, and students can choose from various career options in lucrative fields. Accelerated Dual Enrollment/ Advanced Placement Courses Accelerated Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement Courses are available at all Pinellas high schools. Students enrolled in these courses can earn credit toward high school graduation and, at the same time, have the opportunity to earn college credit. The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program, developed by Cambridge University, also provides opportunities for college credit and a rigorous academic curriculum which prepares students for post-secondary education while offering them the opportunity to tailor their studies to their individual interests, skills and future goals. The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program takes middle and high school students with the potential and determination to go to college and places them in the rigorous courses required to get into those fouryear universities. Students are taught the skill sets-note taking, organization, public speaking, responsibility-necessary to be successful. AVID creates an atmosphere of positive peer pressure for the students, so that they are pushing each other to strive for success. Technology plays a vital role in student achievement and success. Through the district’s virtual learning environment, Moodle, students have the ability to access curriculum from home. Courses were adapted to an online format, using activities, resources and assessments for the teacher to deliver the virtual classroom material. Students are able to participate in classes based on interest, to provide practice opportunities, or to work on course recovery. All of these programs that Pinellas County Schools offer are designed to challenge students and promote academic excellence as the district consistently works towards achieving 100% Student Success. For more information visit, www.pcsb.org.

Pinellas School Board

URL: http://www.pcsb.org

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