Florida education leaders are looking to double the number of students attending public charter schools over the next six years, while also growing other school choice options.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “The State Board adopted a new strategic plan Tuesday that envisions about 17 percent of one-time public school students attending either charters — public schools run by private groups — or using taxpayer-funded vouchers to attend private schools by the 2017-18 school year.”

Currently around 9 percent of students are in charter schools or using Tax Credit or McKay scholarships. Meanwhile, the demand for quality charter school options continues as more than 61,000 students are on waiting lists for the schools.

Parents clearly want charters, which sometimes have a particular academic focus or educational philosophy, or there wouldn’t be so many students on their waiting lists, said board member John Padget.

Read more about what Florida is doing to offer families quality educational options here.