A far-reaching, omnibus education bill that creates a new private school voucher and restructures the state’s teacher bonus program is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, after the Florida House passed it on Tuesday. The bill, Senate Bill 7070, achieves a goal that has been sought by Republicans since Jeb Bush was governor:…
Florida’s public high schools overall ranked sixth in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s new 2019 report on the country’s best high schools released this morning. The Sunshine State earned the sixth spot — behind Massachusetts, Maryland, California, Connecticut and New Jersey — based on the percentage of its high schools that placed…
With only four days remaining in the 2019 Legislative Session, you may wish to take a few minutes to view our FSBA Weekly Video Update featuring FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing a recap of the main events during the eighth week of the Session. As we’ve mentioned, the pace will be very fast for…
Florida lawmakers said they were finished negotiating the preK-12 education portion of the budget during a Sunday evening meeting, closing out one of the largest and typically one of the most contentious areas of the state’s massive funding plan. If the session is to finish on time, the entire state budget must be finished by…
With almost no discussion, the Florida House adopted a bill Monday that would scale back school districts’ ability to increase the fees they charge to offset the impact of new construction. The action came in legislation (HB 1299) that also limited local governments from banning the use of plastic straws or setting age restrictions for…
As we enter what is scheduled to be the last week of the 2019 Legislative Session, new procedural rules will kick in that will make the schedule both hectic and unpredictable. During this week in floor sessions, both chambers will focus on bills on 2nd and/or 3rd Reading, on bills passed back and forth in…
The Florida House passed a bill Thursday night that would require school districts and charter schools to share revenues raised by future tax measures approved by voters. Under House Bill 7123, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, funds collected through a tax referendum will be distributed to public schools and charter schools on a per-student ratio.…
High school transcripts on blockchain? It is happening Amazing discovery of lost books from early library of Christopher Columbus’ son Never too early to start with career exploration—using makerspaces A look at Florida’s changing population How early is too early to teach algebra?
It is likely that Budget Conference Committees will meet today to continue their efforts to work out differences between the House and Senate budgets. Meanwhile, both chambers will hold floor sessions to consider several bills of interest including bills relating to mental health, personnel, workforce education, and elections. Today’s schedule is posted below and will…