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CS/SB 7004 — Education
by Fiscal Policy Committee; Education Pre-K -12 Committee; and Senators Osgood and Simon
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Pre-K -12 Committee (ED)
Instructional Materials
The bill provides school districts with additional time to review state-adopted instructional materials by requiring the Department of Education (DOE) to publish the initial state adoption list prior to the start of the local school district adoption process. The bill requires the state-adoption list to be published as follows: by December 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 adoption cycle; by July 31, 2026, for the 2026-2027 adoption cycle; and by July 31 in the year preceding an adoption for all subsequent adoption cycles.
The bill provides flexibility for district school boards to determine the adequate number of instructional materials in each classroom. The bill removes specific dates for superintendents to report instructional materials to be used, and that such notification include a district school board plan regarding the requisition of adequate instructional materials. Finally, the bill authorizes principal discretion in the collection of funds for lost or damaged instructional materials.
Early Learning
The bill allows a school district to meet the requirement to offer a summer Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program by contracting with private VPK providers. The bill revises from 3 to 2 the number of administrations of the coordinated screening and progress monitoring (CSPM) system in a summer VPK program. The bill also revises from every 2 years to every 3 years the requirement that each early learning coalition submit a school readiness program plan to the DOE.
The bill requires the referral of VPK students who demonstrate a substantial deficiency in early literacy or mathematics skills based on the midyear or final administration of the CSPM to the local school district to receive additional instruction prior to entering kindergarten.
School Improvement
The bill allows the State Board of Education (SBE) to provide a school implementing a turnaround plan additional time to implement a community school model if the school has received a community school planning grant.
Student Progression
The bill provides that a student who has filed a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment may take the GED assessment, without an extraordinary exemption, after reaching the age of 16.
The bill removes the requirement for administration of the common assessment for students in Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) prevention, residential, or day treatment programs, as well as the requirement that district school boards take action on a provider contract for DJJ educational programs that continue to underperform within 6 months after a monitoring plan.
The bill provides a school principal with the discretion to require a performance contract if a parent requests a student participate in an Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) option.
Virtual Education
The bill removes the requirement for a school district to offer a virtual instruction option. The bill also authorizes a school district virtual program to provide the equipment and access necessary for participation to any full-time student enrolled in the program, regardless of income status. Finally, the bill removes the requirement that a virtual provider be nonsectarian in its admissions and operations.
Required Reporting
The bill repeals reporting relating to participation in fine arts courses, a comparison of charter technical career centers to public technical centers, student achievement for middle grades students in career and professional academies and in career courses, student performance in academically high-performing school districts, single-gender programs, the Competency-based Education Pilot Program, the committee of practitioners under the No Child Left Behind Act, and duplicative community assessment and accountability feedback reports.
The bill also makes optional district participation in and submissions to the Art in the Capitol Competition.
Postsecondary
The bill removes the requirement for the SBE to establish the tuition and out-of-state fees for developmental education and associate degree credit. The bill removes the requirement for the SBE to identify performance metrics for the Florida College System (FCS) and develop a plan that specifies goals and objectives for each FCS institution. The bill removes obsolete language regarding baccalaureate degree approval at St. Petersburg College. Finally, the bill removes an obsolete requirement that automotive service technology education programs be industry certified by a certain date.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2024.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 117-0