In the waning hours of their 2016 session, Florida lawmakers approved a bill expanding families’ school options across county lines.
Education choice advocates trumpeted the move as a bold step to let students attend any public school in the state. They equated it with Florida’s broad charter school and tax credit scholarship programs.
But officials closest to the ground were quick to point out that key facts got lost along the way.
For one, many Florida districts — including most in the Tampa Bay area — have allowed cross-border transfers for years. For another, student moves would not be uncontrolled.
“What people are hearing is that you can take your children anywhere,” said Carol McGowin, student enrollment…
