This Video Update features FSBA Interim Executive Director Bill Graham discussing concerns about a provision in the House charter schools bill — HB 7037 – relating to the use of district 1.5 mill capital outlay revenue to fund charter school construction projects. The video also provides an overview of the changes to the state assessment…
LEGISLATURE PASSES ACCOUNTABILITY BILL – HB 7069 In a move that took many observers and education advocates by surprise, the House took up and passed the Senate’s version of HB 7069 relating to education accountability. The bill had passed unanimously in the House a few weeks ago, but was amended last week when the Senate…
A bill to let Florida children attend any public school that has open seats, regardless of where they live, won unanimous support Thursday from the Florida House Education Committee after sponsor Rep. Chris Sprowls modified it to meet school district concerns. Committee chair Rep. Marlene O’Toole recently threatened to kill the bill if it didn’t get fixed…
A proposal that would reduce the testing requirements for Florida schoolchildren — and delay the release of school grades until the new state exams are deemed valid — is headed to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk. The Florida House passed the high-profile bill (HB 7069) in a 105-6 vote Thursday. Observers had questioned whether the conservative…
LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL ELECTIONS Three special elections were held on Tuesday to fill one vacancy in the Senate and two vacancies in the House. The vacancies were all triggered by the departure of Republican Senator John Thrasher who vacated his Senate District 6 seat to accept the post of President of Florida State University. Among the…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee: HB 231 – Transportation by Passidomo — PASSED Revises provisions relating to rights & safety of vulnerable users of public roadway; prohibits assault of bicycle riders; revises provisions for careless driving; provides penalties for specified infractions contributing to bodily injury or death. HB 933 – Growth Management…
FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #2 Our Video Update for the 5th week of the 2015 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 5 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page)…
School choice in the form of charter schools offers parents good options for their children’s education. But corporate welfare in the form of taxpayer-funded construction of private facilities is another matter entirely. Once again, the Legislature is on track to favor charters over public schools, with the House considering diverting tens of millions of dollars…
After nearly two months of negotiating behind closed doors, Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., the chairman and ranking member of the education committee, appear to be nearing consensus on major pieces of a bipartisan draft to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, according to sources. In what seems to be a…
For the eighth time in 12 years, Florida lawmakers are looking to roll back voters’ wishes for smaller class sizes. Backed by school districts that struggle annually to meet the strict caps, the Legislature is poised to end penalties for school districts when classes get too big. Instead, fines would apply when schools don’t reach…