The first week of the Legislative Session is winding down with only a few meetings of interest on the schedule. Bills that were considered today address teacher preparation, Bible study, and civics education and the outcome on these bills is available in the file below. There are no meetings of interest scheduled for tomorrow so our next issue of the Session Spotlight will be available on Tuesday morning, March 11. In the meantime, please be sure to watch our FSBA Weekly Video Update featuring FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing a recap of the main events during this first week of the Session.
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Please note that all of the meetings listed below may be viewed via live webcast on the Florida Channel or be viewed later in the Florida Channel Video Library. Also note that:
- Clicking on the Committee/Subcommittee names linked below provides access to membership, meeting packets, and other committee information
- Clicking on the PCBs linked below provides access the actual text of the proposed bill
- Clicking on the bill numbers linked below, you can access the bill summary, analysis, related bills, and other information
In the House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee:
PCB PKQ 19-02 – Teacher Preparation by PKQ – PASSED; FILED AS HB 7061
The bill:
- Extends the timeframe by which a candidate may satisfy the General Knowledge Test (GKT) from one to three years, aligning the timeframe with the number of years in which a teacher-candidate may be employed pursuant to a temporary certificate.
- Increases access to GKT preparation materials and establishes a baseline for materials available to teacher-candidates.
- Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to establish separate fees for each subtest of the GKT.
- Revises requirements for teacher preparation program uniform core curricula.
- Revises program requirements to include content aligned to state standards.
- Requires programs to administer participant satisfaction surveys and report survey results.
- Requires practicum experience to include classroom management in a variety of teaching environments and for diverse student populations.
- Increases the school district-operated mentorship program from one to two years and provides an exemption from passing the GKT for those teacher-candidates who successfully complete a two-year mentorship program.
- Increases the opportunities for mentorship and professional development and standardizes professional development content.
- Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to publish results of a biennial survey on teaching conditions and student learning at the school, district and state levels.
HB 195 – Study of the Bible and Religion by Daniels – PASSED
The bill requires, rather than authorizes, school districts to offer high school elective courses on an objective study of religion or the Bible. Courses must be offered to students in grades 9 through 12. The Florida Department of Education (DOE) must include the new elective courses in the DOE’s Course Code Directory.
HB 807 – Civics Education by Aloupis – PASSED
The bill requires that all instructional materials for the civics education course required for middle school students be reviewed by the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship and approved by the Commissioner of Education.
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