The Florida Senate

229.002  Declaration of policy and guiding principles.--

(1)  It is the policy of the Legislature:

(a)  To achieve within existing resources true systemic change in education governance by establishing a seamless academic educational system that fosters an integrated continuum of kindergarten through graduate school education for Florida's citizens.

(b)  To promote enhanced academic success and funding efficiency by centralizing the governance of educational delivery systems and aligning responsibility with accountability.

(c)  To provide consistent education policy vertically and horizontally across all educational delivery systems, focusing on students.

(d)  To provide substantially improved vertical and horizontal articulation across all educational delivery systems.

(e)  To provide for devolution of authority to the schools, community colleges, universities, and other education institutions that are the actual deliverers of educational services in order to provide student-centered education services within the clear parameters of the overarching education policy established by the Legislature.

(f)  To ensure that independent education institutions and home education programs maintain their independence, autonomy, and nongovernmental status.

(2)  The guiding principles for Florida's new education governance are:

(a)  A coordinated, seamless system for kindergarten through graduate school education.

(b)  A system that is student-centered in every facet.

(c)  A system that maximizes education access and provides the opportunity for a high-quality education for all Floridians.

(d)  A system that safeguards equity and supports academic excellence.

(e)  A system that provides for local operational flexibility while promoting accountability for student achievement and improvement.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2000-321; s. 2, ch. 2001-170.