FSBA Session Spotlight — April 26, 2019

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…

Florida Senate passes major education bill that creates new school voucher

The Florida Senate passed a massive education bill Thursday that would create a new private school voucher that is funded out the state’s per-student funding traditionally reserved almost solely for districts.  Its passage marks yet another victory for those wanting to expand different schooling options funded by the state, but likely sets a course for…

FSBA Session Spotlight — April 25, 2019

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 ongoing consideration of the Senate’s omnibus education bill — SB 7070 – that addresses public and private…

Budget conference: Student spending gap shrinks

The Senate is offering a less-ambitious increase to per-pupil funding, moving more toward the House’s position on money for Florida schools.  Members from both chambers met for the first time Wednesday to work out funding differences for the PreK-12 education system. Among other revisions, the Senate offered to lessen its per-pupil spending increase from $350 to…

FSBA Session Spotlight — April 24, 2019

As reported in Tuesday’s Session Spotlight, the Budget Conference Committees have been assembled and begun work on resolving differences between the House and Senate budgets. Last night, the Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met and the House has made an initial offer on a variety of issues, including Workforce Education.  The PreK-12 Conference Committee is…

Finish line: Legislative leadership optimistic as budget conferences begin

Leadership in the House and Senate seem to think they’ll wrap the annual 60-day lawmaking process in a timely manner this year as budget conferences were set to begin Tuesday evening.  Budget chiefs Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Travis Cummings delivered optimistic remarks while standing side-by-side after the first joint appropriations meeting Tuesday afternoon. Read More

Florida Senate passes bill that allows classroom teachers to be armed – nearly along party lines

More than a year after last year’s Valentine’s Day shooting in Parkland that shocked the state and blurred party lines in the state Capitol, the Florida Senate passed a follow-up bill that has become increasingly partisan because of its expansion of a program that would allow classroom teachers to be armed.  It succeeded on a…

FSBA Session Spotlight — April 23, 2019

With less than two weeks remaining in this Legislative Session, the tempo of business is likely to increase and meeting schedules will become more unpredictable. After today, committees will meet only if called for a specific reason and both chambers will devote most of their time to floor sessions and conference committee work.  In addition,…

FSBA Friday Five – April 19, 2019

Because it is spring–great gardening books for kids What is explicit instruction and how does it help children learn? Simple strategies can help students re-frame challenges as opportunities for growth The State of Preschool (research) What types of technology are teachers using in the classroom and is it effective?