Bill advances to create 'innovation schools'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida Senate panel has approved a bill that would allow school districts to create “innovation schools” that act like charter schools but remain under district control.

State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, said Monday his legislation would allow local school officials to seek to assign one school per district to benefit from the same flexibility as charter schools. He says it would allow districts to take the “best practices” of charter schools and apply them to a traditional public school. He said he realizes it’s a small step, especially in large urban districts, but said the bill is the start of a process.