Florida Senate - 2013 SB 1326
By Senator Abruzzo
25-01238-13 20131326__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to an education pilot program;
3 creating s. 1003.59, F.S.; requiring the Department of
4 Education to create a pilot program for the lowest
5 performing public schools in this state which have a
6 large population of economically disadvantaged
7 students; providing that the pilot program create a
8 public and private partnership to supply certain
9 services to economically disadvantaged students;
10 providing a statement of purpose for the pilot
11 program; providing the duties of the department for
12 each year of the pilot program; requiring the
13 department to submit its recommendation, the rationale
14 behind the recommendation, and supporting data to the
15 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
16 requiring the department to adopt rules; providing an
17 effective date.
18
19 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
20
21 Section 1. Section 1003.59, Florida Statutes, is created to
22 read:
23 1003.59 Services for success; pilot program.—Beginning with
24 the 2013-2014 school year, the Department of Education shall
25 plan and implement a 4-year pilot program for no fewer than
26 three and no more than five of the lowest-performing traditional
27 public schools in this state which enroll a large population of
28 economically disadvantaged students who are living in
29 impoverished circumstances.
30 (1) The pilot program is established to create a public and
31 private partnership to supply wrap-around services, including,
32 but not limited to, health and dental services, counseling,
33 parental counseling, adult training and education, nutrition
34 education, after-school programs, and tutoring programs to
35 economically disadvantaged students.
36 (2) The purpose of the pilot program is to:
37 (a) Improve academic achievement through a holistic
38 approach by ensuring that economically disadvantaged students
39 have the academic, medical, nutritional, and social supports
40 they need to develop strong literacy and numeracy skills, and
41 resiliency skills in self-regulation, cooperation, and
42 attention.
43 (b) Make available support services that encourage healthy
44 family dynamics, including parenting skills, assistance with
45 homework, and school-home connections.
46 (c) Create a work center within each school identified in
47 subparagraph (3)(a)1. supported by five research-driven elements
48 that lead to permanent systemic change: leveraging community
49 assets, improving staff capacity and effectiveness, developing
50 family and community partnerships, improving capacity and
51 collaboration between district and local associations, and
52 improving student achievement and learning.
53 (3) The timeline for the pilot program is as follows:
54 (a) During the first year, the department shall:
55 1. Identify no fewer than three and no more than five of
56 the lowest-performing public schools in the state which enroll a
57 large population of economically disadvantaged students who are
58 living in impoverished circumstances.
59 2. Seek researchers.
60 3. Build partnerships with schools identified in
61 subparagraph 1., the school district, the local teachers’ union,
62 parents, social service agencies, local medical and dental
63 practitioners, local community and civic groups, and local
64 businesses.
65 4. Plan and promote services that will be provided.
66 5. Advertise the pilot program.
67 6. Collect baseline data.
68 7. Report costs and benefits of the pilot program.
69 (b) During the second, third, and fourth years, the
70 department shall:
71 1. Continue to build the partnerships with schools
72 identified in subparagraph (a)1., the school district, the local
73 teachers’ union, parents, social service agencies, local medical
74 and dental practitioners, local community and civic groups, and
75 local businesses.
76 2. Seek input regarding the services that are provided and
77 refine them.
78 3. Monitor academic, health, and nutritional progress for
79 students and families who are participating in the pilot program
80 and report their progress.
81 4. Report costs and benefits of the pilot program.
82 (c) During the fourth year, but not later than December 1,
83 2017, the department shall recommend suspension or continuation
84 of the pilot program and submit its recommendation, the
85 rationale behind the recommendation, and supporting data to the
86 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
87 House of Representatives.
88 (4) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
89 section.
90 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.