SB 850 – relating to Education
On Friday, May 2nd, SB 850, relating to Education, by Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) passed the Senate chamber with amendments by a 29-11 vote and then passed the House chamber by a 70-44 vote. The bill now heads to the Governor for consideration.
The bill expands options to elementary students, expands options and strengthens requirements for middle school and high school students, creates a new middle grades early warning system to identify at-risk students, expands and strengthens anti-hazing provisions, and requires the Florida College System (FCS) institutions to establish a collegiate high school program for students in every school district in the colleges’ designated service area.
AIF supports this bill because improving our workforce through education reforms will be a key ingredient to job creation and also ensuring businesses continue to locate in Florida.
HB 851 – relating to Education Tuition
On Friday, May 2nd, HB 851, relating to Education Tuition, by Representative Jeanette M. Nuñez (R-Miami) passed the House chamber by an 84-32 vote. Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) sponsored the Senate companion bill. The bill now heads to the Governor for consideration.
The bill provides that students, regardless of immigration status, who attend a Florida high school for 3 consecutive years and enroll in an institution of higher education within 24 months after graduation are not required to pay out-of-state fees, provided they submit their high school transcript as documentary evidence of attendance and graduation. While these students are not classified as residents for tuition purposes, they may be reported for purposes of state funding.
AIF supports legislation that would allow all Florida high school graduates to qualify for in-state tuition at our public colleges, universities and independent universities regardless of their immigration status, subject to meeting all admission standards.
HB 487 – relating to Agricultural Industry Certifications
On Tuesday, April 29th, HB 487, relating to Agricultural Industry Certifications, by Representative Jake Raburn (R-Valrico) unanimously passed the Senate chamber. Senator Bill Montford (D-Apalachicola) sponsored the Senate companion bill. The bill now heads to the Governor for consideration.
The bill would develop a pathway for students to show their expertise in the agricultural industry. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), in cooperation with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science at the University of Florida and the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, to annually provide to the state board and the Department of Education information and industry certifications for farm occupations to be considered for placement on the Industry Certification Funding List and the Postsecondary Industry Certification Funding List.
AIF supports adding agriculture to industry certifications because it recognizes the critical need for agricultural careers in the state of Florida.
SB 1642 – relating to Education Accountability
On Wednesday, April 30th, SB 1642, relating to Education Accountability, by the Senate Committee on Education passed the House by a 76-42 vote. The bill now heads to the Governor for consideration.
The bill creates a clarified A through F and 100-point school grading system where point values, not safety nets or triggers, are the indicator of the grade earned. Under the bill, district and school grades, which would be released every year in the summer at the same time, will be simplified and transparent. No changes would be made to the current school grading system in 2013-14; however, the new 2014-15 school grades will function as an informational baseline for schools to work toward improved future performance.
AIF supports a comprehensive effort to expand economic opportunity through education. Increased transparency in school grading is a large component to making education a better value for Florida’s families and taxpayers alike.
