The Florida Senate

229.594  Powers and duties of the commission.--

(1)  The commission shall review and recommend procedures for a new system of school improvement and education accountability and recommend the repeal or modification of statutes, fiscal policies, and rules that stand in the way of school improvement. Specifically, the commission shall:

(a)  Serve as an advisory body to oversee the development, establishment, implementation, and maintenance of a program of school improvement and education accountability based upon the achievement of state education goals. This responsibility shall include the following:

1.  Holding public hearings, as necessary, in various parts of the state. The purpose of these hearings is to receive public comment on the status of education and suggestions regarding the establishment and implementation of a system of school improvement and education accountability. When feasible, alternative methods such as teleconferencing shall be employed to increase public involvement.

2.  Observing the development and implementation of school improvement plans pursuant to s. 230.23(16). Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring the involvement of teachers, parents, and community in the development and implementation of individually prepared school improvement plans.

3.  Involving the business community in the provision of needed training for school advisory councils, teachers, principals, district administrators, and school board members.

4.  Annually recommending changes in statutes, rules, and policies needed to implement and maintain a system of school improvement and education accountability in the state.

(b)  Review and, with assistance from the Department of Education, analyze results of school needs assessments submitted by district school boards. The report shall include recommendations for changes in the school improvement and accountability required by s. 230.23(16) which are considered necessary as a result of the school needs assessments. The report shall also include a recommendation regarding the minimum number of credits, subjects, and courses that should be required by the state for regular and alternative high school diplomas; the number of hours of instruction required to receive a credit; the length of a high school day; and the number of periods per day for high schools.

(c)  Recommend to the Legislature, the State Board of Education, and the Commissioner of Education, as appropriate, the components of a system of school improvement and accountability. Initial recommendations must be reviewed and revised as necessary annually and must include:

1.  Performance standards for indicating state, school district, and school progress toward the state education goals and a definition of what shall be considered "adequate progress" toward meeting these performance standards. Effective June 1, 1993, such standards must incorporate the provisions of s. 239.229.

2.  Methods for measuring state, school district, and school progress toward the goals. These assessment methods must include the most effective and efficient procedures available from the current system of assessment and alternative and new assessment practices.

3.  Methods for public reporting on the progress toward the goals by the state, school districts, and individual schools. Emphasis shall be placed on reporting individual school improvement and progress, and comparisons between schools shall be minimized. Methods for reporting the status of children and families and community services available in each school district to help children and families in need shall also be developed.

4.  Effective use of existing methods for recognizing schools and development of necessary additional methods to recognize schools that meet or make adequate progress toward the education goals. The commission shall also consider the development of incentives including financial incentives for schools that make exceptional progress toward the education goals.

5.  Guidelines that may be adopted as rule by the State Board of Education, or the Commissioner of Education, and the school board in determining the action for any school that does not improve after 3 years of assistance and intervention, including commission responsibility in recommending action for said schools. The guidelines must be stringent and must ensure that the school is not permitted to continue serving students in a less than adequate manner.

If in the opinion of the commission an adequate system of accountability is in place to protect the public interest, the commission may recommend to the Legislature the repeal or revision of laws, including fiscal policies, and to the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education the repeal or revision of rules, which in the opinion of the commission stand in the way of school improvement. The commission may defer any or all recommendations for repeal or revision of laws and rules until such time as it determines an adequate system of accountability is established and implemented.

(2)  The commission shall:

(a)  Appoint an executive director who shall serve under the direction, supervision, and control of the commission. The executive director shall be the chief administrative officer of the commission and shall be responsible for appointing all employees and staff members of the commission, who shall serve under her or his direction and control. All employees of the commission are exempt from the Career Service System.

(b)  Use the talents, expertise, and resources within the state, and especially those of the public education system, to whatever extent practicable. The commission may call upon appropriate agencies of state government for staff assistance, clerical resources, materials, and other support services and coordinate and consult with existing agency and legislative staff, in order that minimum costs and maximum expertise may be achieved.

(c)  Have the authority to make and enter into contracts or agreements with private individuals, corporations, organizations, and others, as the commission determines is necessary, expedient, or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its powers.

(d)  Have the authority to apply for and accept funds, grants, donations, expenses, in-kind services, or other valued goods or services from the government of the United States or any of its agencies, state government, local governments, or any other public or private source. Funds or services acquired or accepted under this paragraph shall be used to carry out the commission's assigned duties and responsibilities.

(e)  Keep full, detailed, and accurate records pursuant to chapter 119.

(f)  Prepare and submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Education, and each Cabinet member a report and recommendations by October 1 of each year. The annual reports of the commission shall be made available to other appropriate governmental officials and to the public schools in this state.

History.--s. 67, ch. 90-288; ss. 5, 21, ch. 91-283; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1, ch. 92-100; s. 35, ch. 92-136; s. 6, ch. 95-146; s. 1218, ch. 95-147; ss. 51, 96, ch. 97-190.