Senate Bill sb2578
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2578
By Senator Wilson
33-103A-06
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to elementary education;
3 creating s. 1003.035, F.S.; providing a maximum
4 student-teacher ratio for classrooms in grades
5 K through 3 of schools designated as the 100
6 lowest-performing elementary schools; requiring
7 the construction of primary learning centers at
8 such schools by a specified deadline; providing
9 criteria for such centers; requiring the hiring
10 of teachers of reading skills at such schools
11 by a specified deadline; providing for
12 continuing operational funding for each such
13 center and school that meets eligibility
14 requirements; providing an effective date.
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16 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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18 Section 1. Section 1003.035, Florida Statutes, is
19 created to read:
20 1003.035 Student-teacher ratio in grades K through 3
21 of the lowest-performing elementary schools; construction of
22 primary learning centers; funding for teachers of reading
23 skills; incentive funding.--
24 (1) In the 100 lowest-performing elementary schools in
25 this state, for each classroom in kindergarten through grade
26 3, there shall be a student-teacher ratio of no more than 15
27 students per one full-time equivalent teacher. The
28 Commissioner of Education shall select the schools that the
29 commissioner designates as the 100 lowest-performing
30 elementary schools from schools that are defined under s.
31 1008.34 as "failing to make adequate progress" or "F" schools.
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2578
33-103A-06
1 If there are not at least 100 elementary schools in the state
2 which are rated as "F" schools, the commissioner may also
3 choose to include in the 100 lowest-performing elementary
4 schools some that are defined as "making less than
5 satisfactory progress" or "D" schools.
6 (2) By the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year,
7 there must be constructed at each of the 100 lowest-performing
8 elementary schools a primary learning center that is a
9 stand-alone wing housing classrooms that are only for students
10 in kindergarten through grade 3. Each center must be equipped
11 with at least one restroom, and each classroom in the wing
12 must be able to accommodate a teacher and a maximum of 15
13 students.
14 (3) By the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year,
15 there shall be provided to each of the 100 lowest-performing
16 elementary schools sufficient incentive operational funding to
17 hire and train teachers who are specialists in reading skills,
18 in the ratio of one such additional teacher for every 15
19 students in kindergarten through grade 3.
20 (4) At least through the 2011-2012 school year, the
21 Legislature shall provide incentive operational funding to
22 allow each of the 100 lowest-performing elementary schools to
23 maintain the maximum classroom ratio of 15 students to one
24 full-time equivalent teacher in kindergarten through grade 3
25 and to retain the reading teachers required under subsection
26 (3). A school that is otherwise eligible for incentive funding
27 under this subsection but that has more than 15 students per
28 teacher in any classroom for students in kindergarten through
29 grade 3 is ineligible to receive the incentive funding.
30 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.
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Florida Senate - 2006 SB 2578
33-103A-06
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2 SENATE SUMMARY
3 Provides a maximum student-teacher ratio for classrooms
in grades K through 3 of schools designated as the 100
4 lowest-performing elementary schools. Requires the
construction of primary learning centers at such schools
5 by a specified deadline. Provides criteria for such
centers. Requires the hiring of teachers of reading
6 skills at such schools by a specified deadline. Provides
for continuing operational funding for each such center
7 and school that meets eligibility requirements.
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