CS/CS/SB 7036 full text · Session Watch

Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 7036 By the Committee on Rules; the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; and the Committee on Education Pre-K - 12 595-03194-26 20267036c2

1 A bill to be entitled

2 An act relating to education; amending s. 120.81,

3 F.S.; providing that district school boards are not

4 subject to the requirements for rules in chapter 120

5 when making and adopting rules with public input at a

6 public meeting; amending s. 1001.42, F.S.; removing

7 certain schools from specified contract restrictions;

8 revising the conditions considered an educational

9 emergency; amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; authorizing a

10 student to carry a United States Food and Drug

11 Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine delivery

12 device, rather than an epinephrine auto-injector;

13 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules

14 for the use of an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery

15 device, rather than an epinephrine auto-injector;

16 making conforming changes; amending s. 1002.33, F.S.;

17 providing additional criteria for award of a 15-year

18 charter; providing that students may not be dismissed

19 from certain charter schools based on academic

20 performance; amending s. 1002.42, F.S.; authorizing a

21 private school to purchase a supply of FDA-approved

22 epinephrine delivery devices, rather than epinephrine

23 auto-injectors; making conforming changes; providing

24 that certain private schools are considered a

25 permitted use in certain zoning districts; authorizing

26 certain private schools to operate in facilities that

27 meet specified requirements; providing exceptions;

28 requiring certain private schools operating in such

29 facilities to meet specified Florida Fire Prevention

30 Code standards; providing that completion of a

31 specified evaluation system with certain ratings by

32 specified persons constitutes evidence of compliance

33 with the Florida Fire Prevention Code for such private

34 schools; authorizing the State Fire Marshal to adopt

35 rules; amending s. 1002.67, F.S.; revising limitations

36 on curriculum selection for Voluntary Prekindergarten

37 Education Program providers and public schools that

38 fail to meet minimum performance metrics or

39 designations; revising Department of Education

40 requirements for review and approval of certain

41 curricula; requiring that the review and approval

42 process include curricula available for purchase and

43 proprietary curricula not available for purchase;

44 authorizing the department to approve certain

45 curricula outside of the established review and

46 approval process for specified multi-site providers or

47 school districts; providing requirements for approved

48 curricula; requiring the department to approve or deny

49 a request within a specified timeframe; providing a

50 submission limitation; amending s. 1002.68, F.S.;

51 deleting provisions relating to the calculation of a

52 kindergarten readiness rate; revising the period of

53 time for which a public or private prekindergarten

54 provider is prohibited from participating in the

55 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program for a

56 failing program assessment composite score; amending

57 s. 1002.71, F.S.; revising requirements for attendance

58 reporting by private prekindergarten providers;

59 requiring that administrative policies and procedures

60 be revised into certain forms; requiring school

61 districts to certify attendance data in a specified

62 manner; amending s. 1002.945, F.S.; requiring the

63 Department of Children and Families to make a

64 specified determination for child care providers;

65 deleting an exception; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.;

66 revising required instruction on the principles of

67 agriculture; requiring the Department of Education to

68 collaborate with specified entities to develop

69 associated standards and a curriculum; authorizing the

70 department to contract with certain agricultural

71 education organizations for specified purposes;

72 amending s. 1003.4282, F.S.; providing that completion

73 of 2 years of marching band satisfies two specified

74 credit requirements; authorizing completion of a

75 specified dance techniques class to satisfy specified

76 high school diploma credit requirements; providing

77 requirements for mathematics pathways established by a

78 certain workgroup; requiring that certain courses for

79 the mathematics pathways be identified by specified

80 dates; requiring the workgroup to submit identified

81 mathematics pathways to the Governor and the

82 Legislature; creating s. 1003.4936, F.S.; providing

83 legislative findings; requiring the Department of

84 Education to develop applied algebra courses;

85 providing requirements for the applied algebra

86 courses; requiring the department to develop the

87 courses on specified timelines; authorizing school

88 districts to satisfy certain graduation requirements

89 with an applied algebra course; requiring the

90 department to collaborate with the Board of Governors

91 of the State University System to ensure the courses

92 are accepted as mathematics credits for state

93 university admissions; requiring the department to

94 provide certain implementation support; amending s.

95 1003.5716, F.S.; requiring a school district to take

96 specified actions if a related service identified in a

97 student’s individual education plan (IEP) is not

98 provided; providing that a parent or guardian has the

99 right to request provider logs or notes within a

100 specified timeframe; requiring the school district to

101 inform parents of such right; amending s. 1004.85,

102 F.S.; authorizing an educator preparation institute to

103 allow certain program participants to enroll in

104 introductory coursework; amending s. 1004.933, F.S.;

105 revising the definition of the term “institution”;

106 deleting the age limit for enrollment in the

107 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE)

108 Program; clarifying that students are not required to

109 enroll in adult secondary and career education program

110 coursework simultaneously; amending s. 1006.12, F.S.;

111 revising requirements relating to safe-school officers

112 at public schools, including charter schools; amending

113 s. 1007.2616, F.S.; requiring the State Board of

114 Education to establish by rule or maintain specified

115 computer science subject area coverages; requiring the

116 state board to adopt competencies and skills and

117 designate corresponding examinations; requiring the

118 Department of Education to submit recommended

119 competencies and skills for certain coverages to the

120 state board for approval by a specified date;

121 requiring the department to coordinate development and

122 availability of certain examinations by a specified

123 date; amending s. 1008.25, F.S.; requiring that

124 specified resources for certain students include

125 information about the student’s eligibility for the

126 New Worlds Reading Initiative; requiring school

127 districts to take specified actions when screening

128 identifies a student as exhibiting characteristics of

129 dyslexia or dyscalculia; revising the score threshold

130 for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

131 eligibility for specified instructional support;

132 requiring that monthly written communications include

133 specified eligibility information; providing

134 circumstances under which a student must undergo

135 further screening for dyslexia or dyscalculia;

136 providing that such screening has a specified purpose;

137 requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules;

138 conforming cross-references; amending s. 1008.2125,

139 F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.

140 1008.33, F.S.; revising requirements relating to

141 district and school improvement; amending s. 1010.20,

142 F.S.; requiring charter schools to respond to

143 monitoring questions from the Department of Education;

144 amending s. 1011.14, F.S.; revising authorized

145 purposes for school district short-term obligations;

146 amending s. 1011.69, F.S.; revising a category of

147 funding which a school district is authorized to

148 withhold; amending s. 1011.71, F.S.; authorizing

149 specified discretionary millage proceeds to be used

150 for operational or capital purposes; deleting

151 specified purposes that certain proceeds and revenue

152 may be used for; amending s. 1011.73, F.S.; conforming

153 a cross-reference; amending s. 1011.804, F.S.;

154 revising the GATE Startup Grant Program; specifying

155 what constitutes service to a rural area of

156 opportunity for purposes of specified provisions;

157 revising eligibility and award authority for grants;

158 revising application availability and application

159 requirements; revising allowable uses of grant funds

160 to include specified implementation-related costs;

161 amending s. 1012.22, F.S.; providing that collective

162 bargaining may not preclude specified salary

163 supplements and implementation of the salary increase

164 and salary distribution plan; amending s. 1012.555,

165 F.S.; revising eligibility requirements for

166 participation in the Teacher Apprenticeship Program;

167 requiring the department to collaborate with the

168 Lastinger Center for Learning to make specified

169 recommendations relating to artificial intelligence in

170 learning to the Governor and the Legislature by a

171 specified date; providing requirements for the

172 recommendations; providing an effective date.

174 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

175 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

176 120.81, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

177 120.81 Exceptions and special requirements; general areas.—

178 (1) EDUCATIONAL UNITS.—

179 (a) District school boards are not subject to the

180 requirements for rules in this chapter when making and adopting

181 rules with public input at a public meeting. Notwithstanding s.

182 120.536(1) and the flush left provisions of s. 120.52(8),

183 district school boards may adopt rules to implement their

184 general powers under s. 1001.41.

185 Section 2. Subsection (21) of section 1001.42, Florida

186 Statutes, is amended to read:

187 1001.42 Powers and duties of district school board.—The

188 district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all

189 powers and perform all duties listed below:

190 (21) EDUCATIONAL EMERGENCY.—To free schools that have ~~with~~

191 a school grade of “D” or “F” or are persistently low-performing

192 schools as described in s. 1002.333 from contract restrictions

193 that limit the school district’s ~~school’s~~ ability to implement

194 programs and strategies needed to improve student performance, a

195 district school board may adopt salary incentives or other

196 strategies that address the selection, placement, compensation,

197 and expectations of instructional personnel and provide

198 principals with the autonomy described in s. 1012.28(8). For

199 purposes of this subsection, an educational emergency exists in

200 a school district if one or more schools in the district have a

201 school grade of “D” or “F . ” or are persistently low-performing

202 schools as described in s. 1002.333. Notwithstanding chapter

203 447, relating to collective bargaining, a district school board

204 may:

205 (a) Provide salary incentives that differentiate based on a

206 teacher’s certification, subject area taught, or grade level

207 taught. Such incentives are not subject to collective bargaining

208 requirements.

209 (b) Notwithstanding s. 1012.2315, relating to assignment of

210 teachers, adopt strategies to assign high-quality teachers more

211 equitably across schools in the district to low-performing

212 schools as a management right. Such strategies are not subject

213 to collective bargaining requirements.

214 Section 3. Paragraph (i) of subsection (3) of section

215 1002.20, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

216 1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public

217 school students must receive accurate and timely information

218 regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed

219 of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12

220 students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory

221 rights including, but not limited to, the following:

222 (3) HEALTH ISSUES.—

223 (i) Epinephrine use and supply.—

224 1. A student who has experienced or is at risk for life

225 threatening allergic reactions may carry a United States Food

226 and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved an epinephrine delivery

227 device ~~auto-injector~~ and self-administer epinephrine by such

228 FDA-approved delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ while in school,

229 participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to

230 or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has

231 been provided with parental and physician authorization. The

232 State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of

233 Health, shall adopt rules for such use of FDA-approved

234 epinephrine delivery devices which must ~~auto-injectors~~ ~~that~~

235 ~~shall~~ include provisions to protect the safety of all students

236 from the misuse or abuse of such delivery devices ~~auto~~

237 ~~injectors~~ . A school district, county health department, public

238 private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be

239 indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry an

240 FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ for any

241 and all liability with respect to the student’s use of an FDA

242 approved epinephrine delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ pursuant to

243 this paragraph.

244 2. A public school may purchase a supply of FDA-approved

245 epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ from a wholesale

246 distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an

247 arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as

248 defined in s. 499.003 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery

249 devices ~~auto-injectors~~ at fair-market, free, or reduced prices

250 for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The

251 FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ must be

252 maintained in a secure location on the public school’s premises.

253 The participating school district shall adopt a protocol

254 developed by a licensed physician for the administration by

255 school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic

256 reaction and to administer an epinephrine by an FDA-approved

257 delivery device ~~auto-injection~~ . The supply of FDA-approved

258 epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ may be provided to

259 and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine

260 by FDA-approved delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ under subparagraph

261 1. or trained school personnel.

262 3. The school district and its employees, agents, and the

263 physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA

264 approved epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ are not

265 liable for any injury arising from the use of such an

266 epinephrine delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ administered by

267 trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and

268 whose professional opinion is that the student is having an

269 anaphylactic reaction:

270 a. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful

271 and wanton;

272 b. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the

273 student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been

274 provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging

275 that the school district is not liable; and

276 c. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by

277 the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s

278 physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered

279 nurse.

280 Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (7) and paragraph

281 (e) of subsection (10) of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, are

282 amended to read:

283 1002.33 Charter schools.—

284 (7) CHARTER.—The terms and conditions for the operation of

285 a charter school, including a virtual charter school, shall be

286 set forth by the sponsor and the applicant in a written

287 contractual agreement, called a charter. The sponsor and the

288 governing board of the charter school or virtual charter school

289 shall use the standard charter contract or standard virtual

290 charter contract, respectively, pursuant to subsection (21),

291 which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda

292 approved with the application. Any term or condition of a

293 proposed charter contract or proposed virtual charter contract

294 that differs from the standard charter or virtual charter

295 contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall

296 be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility. The

297 sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that

298 violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility

299 to meet educational goals. The charter shall be signed by the

300 governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following

301 a public hearing to ensure community input.

302 (c)1. A charter may be renewed provided that a program

303 review demonstrates that the criteria in paragraph (a) have been

304 successfully accomplished and that none of the grounds for

305 nonrenewal established by paragraph (8)(a) have been expressly

306 found. The charter of a charter school that meets these

307 requirements and has received a school grade lower than a “B”

308 pursuant to s. 1008.34 in the most recently graded school year

309 must be renewed for no less than a 5-year term except as

310 provided in paragraph (9)(n). In order to facilitate long-term

311 financing for charter school construction, charter schools

312 operating for a minimum of 3 years and demonstrating exemplary

313 academic programming , which may include academic performance

314 measured by school improvement ratings, and fiscal management

315 are eligible for a 15-year charter renewal. Such long-term

316 charter is subject to annual review and may be terminated during

317 the term of the charter.

318 2. The 15-year charter renewal that may be granted pursuant

319 to subparagraph 1. must be granted to a charter school that has

320 received a school grade of “A” or “B” pursuant to s. 1008.34 in

321 the most recently graded school year and that is not in a state

322 of financial emergency or deficit position as defined by this

323 section. Such long-term charter is subject to annual review and

324 may be terminated during the term of the charter pursuant to

325 subsection (8).

326 (10) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—

327 (e) A charter school may limit the enrollment process only

328 to target the following student populations:

329 1. Students within specific age groups or grade levels.

330 2. Students considered at risk of dropping out of school or

331 academic failure. Such students shall include exceptional

332 education students.

333 3. Students enrolling in a charter school-in-the-workplace

334 or charter school-in-a-municipality established pursuant to

335 subsection (15).

336 4. Students residing within a reasonable distance of the

337 charter school, as described in paragraph (20)(c). Such students

338 shall be subject to a random lottery and to the racial/ethnic

339 balance provisions described in subparagraph (7)(a)8. or any

340 federal provisions that require a school to achieve a

341 racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or

342 within the racial/ethnic range of other nearby public schools.

343 5. Students who meet reasonable academic, artistic, or

344 other eligibility standards established by the charter school

345 and included in the charter school application and charter or,

346 in the case of existing charter schools, standards that are

347 consistent with the school’s mission and purpose. Such standards

348 shall be in accordance with current state law and practice in

349 public schools and may not discriminate against otherwise

350 qualified individuals. A school that limits enrollment for such

351 purposes must place a student on a progress monitoring plan for

352 at least one semester before dismissing such student from the

353 school. A student may not be dismissed based on academic

354 performance while a school is implementing a school improvement

355 plan pursuant to paragraph (9)(n) or corrective action plan

356 pursuant to s. 1002.345.

357 6. Students articulating from one charter school to another

358 pursuant to an articulation agreement between the charter

359 schools that has been approved by the sponsor.

360 7. Students living in a development, or students whose

361 parent or legal guardian maintains a physical or permanent

362 employment presence within the development, in which a

363 developer, including any affiliated business entity or

364 charitable foundation, contributes to the formation,

365 acquisition, construction, or operation of one or more charter

366 schools or charter school facilities and related property in an

367 amount equal to or having a total appraised value of at least $5

368 million to be used as charter schools to mitigate the

369 educational impact created by the development of new residential

370 dwelling units. Students living in the development are entitled

371 to 50 percent of the student stations in the charter schools.

372 The students who are eligible for enrollment are subject to a

373 random lottery, the racial/ethnic balance provisions, or any

374 federal provisions, as described in subparagraph 4. The

375 remainder of the student stations must be filled in accordance

376 with subparagraph 4.

377 8. Students whose parent or legal guardian is employed

378 within a reasonable distance of the charter school, as described

379 in paragraph (20)(c). The students who are eligible for

380 enrollment are subject to a random lottery.

381 Section 5. Subsections (17) and (19) of section 1002.42,

382 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

383 1002.42 Private schools.—

384 (17) EPINEPHRINE SUPPLY.—

385 (a) A private school may purchase a supply of United States

386 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved epinephrine delivery

387 devices ~~auto-injectors~~ from a wholesale distributor as defined

388 in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale

389 distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for the

390 FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ at

391 fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event a

392 student has an anaphylactic reaction. The FDA-approved

393 epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ must be maintained

394 in a secure location on the private school’s premises. The

395 participating private school shall adopt a protocol developed by

396 a licensed physician for the administration by private school

397 personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction

398 and to administer epinephrine by an FDA-approved epinephrine

399 delivery device ~~auto-injection~~ . The supply of FDA-approved

400 epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ may be provided to

401 and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine

402 by an FDA-approved delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ under s.

403 1002.20(3)(i) or trained school personnel.

404 (b) The private school and its employees, agents, and the

405 physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA

406 approved epinephrine delivery devices ~~auto-injectors~~ are not

407 liable for any injury arising from the use of an FDA-approved

408 epinephrine delivery device ~~auto-injector~~ administered by

409 trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and

410 whose professional opinion is that the student is having an

411 anaphylactic reaction:

412 1. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful

413 and wanton;

414 2. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the

415 student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been

416 provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging

417 that the school district is not liable; and

418 3. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by

419 the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s

420 physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered

421 nurse.

422 (19) FACILITIES AND LAND USE .—

423 (a) A private school may use facilities on property owned

424 or leased by a library, community service organization, museum,

425 performing arts venue, theater, cinema, or church facility under

426 s. 170.201, which is or was actively used as such within 5 years

427 of any executed agreement with a private school to use the

428 facilities; any facility or land owned by a Florida College

429 System institution or university; any similar public

430 institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to

431 house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305,

432 under any such facility’s preexisting zoning and land use

433 designations without rezoning or obtaining a special exception

434 or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation

435 requirements or conditions. The facility must be located on

436 property used solely for purposes described in this paragraph,

437 and must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and

438 welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety and

439 building safety.

440 (b) A private school may use facilities on property

441 purchased from a library, community service organization,

442 museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema, or church

443 facility under s. 170.201, which is actively or was actively

444 used as such within 5 years of any executed agreement with a

445 private school to purchase the facilities; any facility or land

446 owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any

447 similar public institutional facilities; and any facility

448 recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed

449 under s. 402.305, under any such facility’s preexisting zoning

450 and land use designations without obtaining a special exception,

451 rezoning, or a land use change, and without complying with any

452 mitigation requirements or conditions. The facility must be

453 located on property used solely for purposes described in this

454 paragraph, and must meet applicable state and local health,

455 safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety

456 and building safety.

457 (c) A private school located in a county with four

458 incorporated municipalities may construct new facilities, which

459 may be temporary or permanent, on property purchased from or

460 owned or leased by a library, community service organization,

461 museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema, or church under

462 s. 170.201, which is or was actively used as such within 5 years

463 of any executed agreement with a private school; any land owned

464 by a Florida College System institution or state university; and

465 any land recently used to house a school or child care facility

466 licensed under s. 402.305, under its preexisting zoning and land

467 use designations without rezoning or obtaining a special

468 exception or a land use change, and without complying with any

469 mitigation requirements or conditions. Any new facility must be

470 located on property used solely for purposes described in this

471 paragraph, and must meet applicable state and local health,

472 safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety

473 and building safety.

474 (d) A private school enrolling 150 or fewer students, or

475 located within the unincorporated area of a county as defined in

476 s. 125.011, shall be considered a permitted use and occupancy in

477 a commercial or mixed-use zoning district within a county or

478 municipality without rezoning or obtaining a special exception

479 or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation

480 requirements, conditions, performance standards, ordinances,

481 rules, codes, or policies, except that a county or municipality

482 may require proportionate mitigation measures necessary to

483 mitigate vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety.

484 1. The vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety mitigation

485 measures required by a county or municipality pursuant to this

486 subsection shall be limited to those impacts reasonably and

487 directly attributable to the operation of the private school at

488 the site and shall be no greater in cost or scope than what is

489 required of all other uses, education or otherwise, within the

490 same zoning district.

491 2. The private school subject to vehicular traffic and

492 pedestrian safety mitigation measures may, in lieu of complying

493 with such mitigation measures, provide a traffic study that

494 demonstrates the school will not have disproportionate impact on

495 vehicular traffic or pedestrian safety compared to other

496 allowable uses within the same zoning district.

497 3. If a local governing authority fails to comply with this

498 subsection, the aggrieved school or entity has an immediate

499 right to bring an action in circuit court for injunctive relief.

500 (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a private

501 school enrolling 150 or fewer students may operate in a facility

502 that is an existing assembly, day care, mercantile, or business

503 occupancy, as defined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code. A

504 private school operating in such a facility must meet the

505 standards for existing educational occupancy requirements under

506 the Florida Fire Prevention Code, adopted by the State Fire

507 Marshal. Completion of the fire safety evaluation system for

508 educational occupancies in the National Fire Protection

509 Association, Life Safety Code, NFPA 101A: Guide on Alternative

510 Approaches to Life Safety, adopted by the State Fire Marshal, by

511 a registered design professional licensed under chapter 471 or

512 chapter 481, with a determination of achieving at a minimum an

513 “at least equivalent” conclusion, is considered evidence of

514 compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The State Fire

515 Marshal may adopt rules to implement this paragraph.

516 Section 6. Subsection (2) of section 1002.67, Florida

517 Statutes, is amended to read:

518 1002.67 Performance standards and curricula.—

519 (2)(a) Each private prekindergarten provider and public

520 school may select or design the curriculum that the provider or

521 school uses to implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education

522 (VPK) Program, except as otherwise required for a provider or

523 school that fails to meet the minimum performance metric score

524 or designation ~~change-in-ability~~ established pursuant to s.

525 1002.68.

526 (b) Each private prekindergarten provider’s and public

527 school’s curriculum must be developmentally appropriate and

528 must:

529 1. Be designed to prepare a student for early literacy and

530 provide for instruction in early math skills;

531 2. Develop students’ background knowledge through a

532 content-rich and sequential knowledge building early literacy

533 curriculum;

534 3. Enhance the age-appropriate progress of students in

535 attaining the performance standards adopted by the department

536 under subsection (1); and

537 4. Support student learning gains through differentiated

538 instruction that shall be measured by the coordinated screening

539 and progress monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9).

540 (c) The department shall adopt procedures for the review

541 and approval of curricula for use by private prekindergarten

542 providers and public schools that fail to meet the minimum

543 performance metric score or designation ~~change-in-ability scores~~

544 established pursuant to s. 1002.68. The department shall

545 administer the review and approval process and maintain a list

546 of the curricula approved under this paragraph and available for

547 purchase . Each approved curriculum must meet the requirements of

548 paragraph (b). The review and approval process must include

549 curricula that are available for purchase and proprietary

550 curricula that are not available for purchase.

551 (d) The department shall review and may approve a

552 curriculum that is proprietary or available for purchase outside

553 of the established review and approval process in paragraph (c).

554 The curriculum must be used by a private provider or public

555 school district that operates a VPK program in more than five

556 distinct locations. Any curriculum approved under this paragraph

557 must meet the requirements of paragraph (b). Any curriculum

558 approved under this paragraph which is available for purchase

559 must be included on the list under paragraph (c). Within 60 days

560 after receipt of the request, the department shall review and

561 approve or deny the submitted curricula and all associated

562 materials. A request may not be submitted under this paragraph

563 within 120 days before the opening of the regular review process

564 described in paragraph (c).

565 Section 7. Subsection (3), paragraph (e) of subsection (4),

566 paragraph (a) of subsection (5), and paragraph (e) of subsection

567 (6) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

568 1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

569 accountability.—

570 ~~(3)(a) For the 2020-2021 program year, the department shall~~

571 ~~calculate a kindergarten readiness rate for each private~~

572 ~~prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the~~

573 ~~Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based upon learning~~

574 ~~gains and the percentage of students assessed as ready for~~

575 ~~kindergarten. The department shall require that each school~~

576 ~~district administer the statewide kindergarten screening in use~~

577 ~~before the 2021-2022 school year to each kindergarten student in~~

578 ~~the school district within the first 30 school days of the 2021~~

579 ~~2022 school year. Private schools may administer the statewide~~

580 ~~kindergarten screening to each kindergarten student in a private~~

581 ~~school who was enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten~~

582 ~~Education Program. Learning gains shall be determined using a~~

583 ~~value-added measure based on growth demonstrated by the results~~

584 ~~of the preassessment and postassessment in use before the 2021~~

585 ~~2022 program year. However, a provider may not be newly placed~~

586 ~~on probationary status under this paragraph. A provider~~

587 ~~currently on probationary status may only be removed from such~~

588 ~~status if the provider earns the minimum rate, determined~~

589 ~~pursuant to subsection (5). The methodology for calculating a~~

590 ~~provider’s readiness rate may not include students who are not~~

591 ~~administered the statewide kindergarten screening.~~

592 ~~(b) For the 2021-2022 program year, kindergarten screening~~

593 ~~results may not be used in the calculation of readiness rates.~~

594 ~~Any private prekindergarten provider or public school~~

595 ~~participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program~~

596 ~~which fails to meet the minimum kindergarten readiness rate for~~

597 ~~the 2021-2022 program year is subject to the probation~~

598 ~~requirements of subsection (5).~~

599 (3) ~~(4)~~

600 (e) Subject to an appropriation, the department shall

601 provide for a differential payment to a private prekindergarten

602 provider and public school based on the provider’s designation.

603 The maximum differential payment may not exceed a total of 15

604 percent of the base student allocation per full-time equivalent

605 student under s. 1002.71 attending in the consecutive program

606 year for that program. A private prekindergarten provider or

607 public school may not receive a differential payment if it

608 receives a designation of “proficient” or lower. ~~Before the~~

609 ~~adoption of the methodology, the department shall confer with~~

610 ~~the Council for Early Grade Success under s. 1008.2125 before~~

611 ~~receiving approval from the State Board of Education for the~~

612 ~~final recommendations on the designation system and differential~~

613 ~~payments.~~

614 (4)(a) ~~(5)(a)~~ If a public school’s or private

615 prekindergarten provider’s program assessment composite score

616 for its prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum

617 program assessment composite score for contracting adopted in

618 rule by the department, the private prekindergarten provider or

619 public school may not participate in the Voluntary

620 Prekindergarten Education Program beginning in the consecutive

621 program year and thereafter until the public school or private

622 prekindergarten provider meets the minimum composite score for

623 contracting. A public school or private prekindergarten provider

624 may request one program assessment per program year in order to

625 requalify for participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten

626 Education Program, provided that the public school or private

627 prekindergarten provider is not excluded from participation

628 under ss. 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or

629 paragraph (b) ~~(5)(b) of this section~~ . If a public school or

630 private prekindergarten provider would like an additional

631 program assessment completed within the same program year, the

632 public school or private prekindergarten provider shall be

633 responsible for the cost of the program assessment.

634 (5) ~~(6)~~

635 (e) A private prekindergarten provider or public school

636 granted a good cause exemption shall continue to implement its

637 improvement plan and continue the corrective actions required

638 under paragraph (4)(b) ~~(5)(b)~~ until the provider or school meets

639 the minimum performance metric.

640 Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (6) and subsection

641 (7) of section 1002.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

642 1002.71 Funding; financial and attendance reporting.—

643 (6)

644 (b)1. Each private prekindergarten provider’s ~~and district~~

645 ~~school board’s~~ attendance policy must require the parent of each

646 student in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to

647 verify, each month, the student’s attendance on the prior

648 month’s certified student attendance.

649 2. The parent must submit the verification of the student’s

650 attendance to the private prekindergarten provider ~~or public~~

651 ~~school~~ on forms prescribed by the department. The forms must

652 include, in addition to the verification of the student’s

653 attendance, a certification, in substantially the following

654 form, that the parent continues to choose the private

655 prekindergarten provider or public school in accordance with s.

656 1002.53 and directs that payments for the program be made to the

657 provider or school:

659 VERIFICATION OF STUDENT’S ATTENDANCE

660 AND CERTIFICATION OF PARENTAL CHOICE

662 I, ...(Name of Parent)..., swear (or affirm) that my child,

663 ...(Name of Student)..., attended the Voluntary Prekindergarten

664 Education Program on the days listed above and certify that I

665 continue to choose ...(Name of Provider or School)... to deliver

666 the program for my child and direct that program funds be paid

667 to the provider or school for my child.

668 ...(Signature of Parent)...

669 ...(Date)...

671 3. The private prekindergarten provider ~~or public school~~

672 must keep each original signed form for at least 2 years. Each

673 private prekindergarten provider must permit the early learning

674 coalition ~~, and each public school must permit the school~~

675 ~~district,~~ to inspect the original signed forms during normal

676 business hours. The department shall adopt procedures for early

677 learning coalitions ~~and school districts~~ to review the original

678 signed forms against the certified student attendance. The

679 review procedures must ~~shall~~ provide for the use of selective

680 inspection techniques, including, but not limited to, random

681 sampling. Each early learning coalition ~~and the school districts~~

682 must comply with the review procedures.

683 (7) The department shall require that administrative

684 expenditures be kept to the minimum necessary for efficient and

685 effective administration of the Voluntary Prekindergarten

686 Education Program. Administrative policies and procedures must

687 ~~shall be revised~~ , to the maximum extent practicable, be revised

688 to incorporate the use of automation and electronic submission

689 of forms, including those required for child eligibility and

690 enrollment, provider and class registration, and monthly

691 certification of attendance for payment. A school district may

692 use its automated daily attendance reporting system for the

693 purpose of maintaining and transmitting attendance records to

694 the early learning coalition in a mutually agreed-upon format.

695 Each school district shall certify the correctness of attendance

696 data submitted to the single point of entry system described in

697 paragraph (5)(a) as required by the department. In addition,

698 actions must ~~shall~~ be taken to reduce paperwork, eliminate the

699 duplication of reports, and eliminate other duplicative

700 activities. Each early learning coalition may retain and expend

701 no more than 5.0 percent of the funds paid by the coalition to

702 private prekindergarten providers and public schools under

703 paragraph (5)(b). Funds retained by an early learning coalition

704 under this subsection may be used only for administering the

705 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and may not be used

706 for the school readiness program or other programs.

707 Section 9. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (4) of

708 section 1002.945, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

709 1002.945 Gold Seal Quality Care Program.—

710 (4) In order to obtain and maintain a designation as a Gold

711 Seal Quality Care provider, a child care facility, large family

712 child care home, or family day care home must meet the following

713 additional criteria:

714 (a) The child care provider must not have had any class I

715 violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and

716 Families, for which the Department of Children and Families

717 determines that the child care provider is the primary cause of

718 the violation within the 2 years preceding its application for

719 designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of

720 a class I violation for which the Department of Children and

721 Families determines that the child care provider is the primary

722 cause of the violation shall be grounds for termination of the

723 designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the

724 provider has no class I violations for a period of 2 years.

725 ~~(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the Department of~~

726 ~~Education determines through a formal process that a provider~~

727 ~~has been in business for at least 5 years and has no other class~~

728 ~~I violations recorded, the department may recommend to the state~~

729 ~~board that the provider maintain its Gold Seal Quality Care~~

730 ~~status. The state board’s determination regarding such~~

731 ~~provider’s status is final.~~

732 Section 10. Paragraph (j) of subsection (2) of section

733 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

734 1003.42 Required instruction.—

735 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public

736 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education

737 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and

738 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the

739 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,

740 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing

741 approved methods of instruction, the following:

742 (j) The elementary principles of agriculture. This

743 component must include, but need not be limited to, the history

744 of agriculture both nationally and specifically to this state,

745 the economic and societal impact of agriculture, and the various

746 agricultural industry sectors. The department, in collaboration

747 with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the

748 University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural

749 Sciences, shall prepare and offer standards and a curriculum for

750 the instruction required by this paragraph and may seek input

751 from state or nationally recognized agricultural educational

752 organizations. The department may contract with state or

753 nationally recognized agricultural educational organizations to

754 develop training for instructional personnel and grade

755 appropriate classroom resources to support the developed

756 curriculum.

758 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards

759 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.

760 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the

761 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is

762 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or

763 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness

764 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u).

765 Section 11. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) and subsection

766 (10) of section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, are amended to

767 read:

768 1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.—

769 (3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT

770 REQUIREMENTS.—

771 (f) One credit in physical education.—Physical education

772 must include the integration of health. Participation in an

773 interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity level for

774 two full seasons shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in

775 physical education. A district school board may not require that

776 the one credit in physical education be taken during the 9th

777 grade year. Completion of 2 years of marching band shall satisfy

778 the one-credit requirement in physical education and or the one

779 credit requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be

780 used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the

781 requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual

782 education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of 1.0 credit with

783 a grade of “C” or better in a dance techniques course, a

784 significant component of which is activities designed to

785 maintain or improve health-related fitness and lifelong fitness,

786 shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education

787 or the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This credit

788 may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or

789 the requirement for adaptive physical education under an IEP or

790 504 plan. Completion of one semester with a grade of “C” or

791 better in a marching band class, in a physical activity class

792 that requires participation in marching band activities as an

793 extracurricular activity, or in a dance class shall satisfy one

794 half credit in physical education or one-half credit in

795 performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the

796 personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive

797 physical education under an IEP or 504 plan. Completion of 2

798 years in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a

799 significant component of which is drills, shall satisfy the one

800 credit requirement in physical education and the one-credit

801 requirement in performing arts. This credit may not be used to

802 satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for

803 adaptive physical education under an IEP or 504 plan.

804 (10) CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CREDIT.—The Department

805 of Education shall convene a workgroup ~~, no later than December~~

806 ~~1, 2024,~~ to:

807 (a) Identify best practices in career and technical

808 education pathways from middle school to high school to aid

809 middle school students in career planning and facilitate their

810 transition to high school programs. The career pathway must be

811 linked to postsecondary programs.

812 (b) Establish three mathematics pathways for students

813 enrolled in secondary grades by aligning mathematics courses to

814 programs, postsecondary education, and careers. The workgroup

815 shall collaborate to identify the three mathematics pathways and

816 the mathematics course sequence within each pathway which align

817 to the mathematics skills needed for success in the

818 corresponding academic programs, postsecondary education, and

819 careers.

820 1. The mathematics pathways must incorporate the applied

821 algebra courses established under s. 1003.4936 which align the

822 Florida Standards for Algebra I with the career and technical

823 education standards and benchmarks for each designated career

824 cluster.

825 2. Each mathematics pathway must include at least one

826 course sequence beginning with an applied algebra course aligned

827 to a specific career cluster. The workgroup shall identify

828 additional mathematics courses that follow each applied algebra

829 course and build on the algebraic reasoning, modeling, and

830 quantitative skills introduced through industry-relevant

831 applications. The mathematics pathways may include a plan to

832 create new mathematics courses to complete a pathway.

833 3. Each mathematics pathway must offer flexibility and the

834 ability to move between pathways if necessary.

835 4. Mathematics pathways must create clear links between

836 precollege mathematics and college-level mathematics pathways,

837 and support student progression into postsecondary academic

838 programs, state college career and technical education programs,

839 career center programs, industry certification programs, and

840 high-skill, high-wage occupations.

841 5. The mathematics pathways that incorporate applied

842 algebra courses created under s. 1003.4936(3)(a)1. must be

843 identified no later than September 1, 2027. The mathematics

844 pathways that incorporate applied algebra courses created under

845 s. 1003.4936(3)(a)2. must be identified no later than September

846 1, 2028. The workgroup shall submit the identified mathematics

847 pathways to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the

848 Speaker of the House of Representatives.

849 Section 12. Section 1003.4936, Florida Statutes, is created

850 to read:

851 1003.4936 Applied algebra for career and technical

852 education.—

853 (1) The Legislature finds that algebra is an important step

854 in a student’s mathematics pathway. Algebra is a prerequisite

855 for higher level mathematics courses, and success in algebra is

856 strongly connected with later mathematics success. Establishing

857 an applied algebra course that integrates career and technical

858 education standards equips students with mathematical skills

859 directly connected to real industry practices and increases the

860 relevance of algebra instruction. By contextualizing algebraic

861 concepts within authentic occupational problems, such applied

862 algebra courses improve student engagement, strengthen

863 understanding of core math standards, and better prepare

864 students for high-skill, high-wage careers. Such a course will

865 enable students to pass the Algebra I end-of-course assessment

866 and develop practical skills that support success in Florida’s

867 workforce and postsecondary pathways.

868 (2) The Department of Education shall develop an applied

869 algebra course for each of the established career and technical

870 education career clusters. Each applied algebra course must:

871 (a) Integrate the career and technical education program

872 standards and benchmarks for the relevant career cluster with

873 the Florida Standards for Algebra I.

874 (b) Provide students with rigorous, career-relevant

875 mathematical applications that demonstrate the use of algebraic

876 concepts in authentic industry problems, processes, or settings.

877 (c) Prepare students to take the statewide, standardized

878 Algebra I end-of-course assessment required under s. 1008.22.

879 (d) Meet all requirements for a mathematics credit required

880 for high school graduation under s. 1003.4282(3)(b) or for

881 middle grades promotion pursuant to s. 1003.4156(1)(b).

882 (3)(a) The department shall develop the courses on the

883 following timelines:

884 1. Applied algebra courses in the following career clusters

885 must be developed and available for school district adoption in

886 the 2027-2028 school year:

887 a. Agriculture, food, and natural resources.

888 b. Architecture and construction.

889 c. Business management and administration.

890 d. Energy.

891 e. Engineering and technology education.

892 f. Finance.

893 g. Health science.

894 h. Information technology.

895 i. Manufacturing.

896 j. Transportation and distribution logistics.

897 2. Applied algebra courses in the following career clusters

898 must be developed and available for district adoption in the

899 2028-2029 school year:

900 a. Arts, audio-visual technology, and communications.

901 b. Education and training.

902 c. Government and public administration.

903 d. Hospitality and tourism.

904 e. Human services.

905 f. Law, public safety, and security.

906 g. Marketing, sales, and service.

907 (b) In grades 6 through 12, school districts may offer one

908 or more applied algebra courses in lieu of Algebra I, and

909 successful completion of the course will satisfy the Algebra I

910 credit requirement for high school graduation or middle grades

911 promotion.

912 (c) The department shall collaborate with the Board of

913 Governors of the State University System to ensure that each

914 applied algebra course is accepted as a mathematics credit for

915 state university admissions.

916 (d) The department shall provide professional development,

917 instructional resources, and technical assistance to support

918 school district implementation.

919 Section 13. Subsection (5) is added to section 1003.5716,

920 Florida Statutes, to read:

921 1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career

922 opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years of

923 age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate

924 public education. As used in this section, the term “IEP” means

925 individual education plan.

926 (5)

927 (a) If a related service identified in a student’s IEP is

928 not provided as scheduled, the school district must notify the

929 parent or guardian in writing or by electronic means within 10

930 school days, explain the reason the service was not provided,

931 and discuss a plan for make-up services.

932 (b) A parent or guardian has the right to access, upon

933 request, all service provider logs or progress notes within 15

934 school days after such service is provided. The school district

935 shall inform parents of this right at each IEP meeting.

936 Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section

937 1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

938 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—

939 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to

940 this section may offer competency-based certification programs

941 specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate

942 degree holders to enable program participants to meet the

943 educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator

944 preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based

945 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section

946 must implement a program developed by the institute and approved

947 by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be

948 available for use by other approved educator preparation

949 institutes.

950 (b) Each program participant must:

951 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.

952 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility

953 determining the participant is eligible for a certificate in the

954 certification subject area of the educational plan . An educator

955 preparation institute may allow a program participant to enroll

956 in and complete coursework while the participant is working to

957 obtain the statement of status of eligibility indicating

958 eligibility for a certificate in the certification subject area

959 of the educational plan.

960 2. ~~and~~ Meet the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) before

961 participating in field experiences.

962 3. 2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field

963 experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan

964 prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with candidates entering

965 an educator preparation institute in the 2022-2023 school year,

966 a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified

967 pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all

968 competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of

969 the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field

970 experience, in order to graduate from the program.

971 4. 3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate

972 his or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she

973 is seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on

974 student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12

975 setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving

976 a passing score on the professional education competency

977 examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area

978 examination for the subject area certification which is required

979 by state board rule.

980 Section 15. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraph

981 (b) of subsection (4) of section 1004.933, Florida Statutes, are

982 amended to read:

983 1004.933 Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education

984 (GATE) Program.—

985 (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:

986 (b) “Institution” means any a school district career center

987 established under s. 1001.44, a charter technical career center

988 established under s. 1002.34, or a Florida College System

989 institution identified in s. 1000.21. Any such institution may

990 enter into an agreement with an online provider for the adult

991 education or career instruction portion of the program if such

992 provider offers instructional content and services that align

993 with the state career and adult education curriculum frameworks.

994 (4) PAYMENT WAIVER; ELIGIBILITY.—

995 (b) To be eligible for participation in the GATE Program, a

996 student must:

997 1. Not have earned a standard high school diploma pursuant

998 to s. 1003.4282 or a high school equivalency diploma pursuant to

999 s. 1003.435 before enrolling in the GATE Program;

1000 2. Have been withdrawn from high school;

1001 3. Be a resident of this state as defined in s. 1009.21(1);

1002 4. Be at least 16 ~~to 21~~ years of age at the time of initial

1003 enrollment, provided that a student who is 16 or 17 years of age

1004 has withdrawn from school enrollment pursuant to the

1005 requirements and safeguards in s. 1003.21(1)(c);

1006 5. Select the adult secondary education program and career

1007 education program of his or her choice at the time of admission

1008 to the GATE Program, provided that the career education program

1009 is included on the Master Credentials List under s. 445.004(4).

1010 The student is not required to enroll in adult secondary and

1011 career education program coursework simultaneously. The student

1012 may not change the requested pathway after enrollment, except

1013 that, if necessary for the student, the student may enroll in an

1014 adult basic education program prior to enrolling in the adult

1015 secondary education program;

1016 6. Maintain a 2.0 GPA for career and technical education

1017 coursework; and

1018 7. Notwithstanding s. 1003.435(4), complete the programs

1019 under subparagraph 5. within 3 years after his or her initial

1020 enrollment unless the institution determines that an extension

1021 is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.

1022 Section 16. Section 1006.12, Florida Statutes, is amended

1023 to read:

1024 1006.12 Safe-school officers at each public school.—For the

1025 protection and safety of school personnel, property, students,

1026 and visitors, each district school board and school district

1027 superintendent shall partner with law enforcement agencies or

1028 security agencies to establish or assign one or more safe-school

1029 officers at each school facility within the district, including

1030 charter schools. A district school board must collaborate with

1031 charter school governing boards to facilitate charter school

1032 access to all safe-school officer options available under this

1033 section. Notwithstanding any local ordinance or development

1034 order, the school district or charter school may implement any

1035 combination of the options in subsections (1)-(4) to best meet

1036 the needs of the school district and charter schools.

1037 (1) SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.—A school district may

1038 establish school resource officer programs through a cooperative

1039 agreement with law enforcement agencies.

1040 (a) School resource officers shall undergo criminal

1041 background checks, drug testing, and a psychological evaluation

1042 and be certified law enforcement officers, as defined in s.

1043 943.10(1), who are employed by a law enforcement agency as

1044 defined in s. 943.10(4). The powers and duties of a law

1045 enforcement officer shall continue throughout the employee’s

1046 tenure as a school resource officer.

1047 (b) School resource officers shall abide by district school

1048 board policies and shall consult with and coordinate activities

1049 through the school principal, but shall be responsible to the

1050 law enforcement agency in all matters relating to employment,

1051 subject to agreements between a district school board and a law

1052 enforcement agency. The agreements shall identify the entity

1053 responsible for maintaining records relating to training.

1054 Activities conducted by the school resource officer which are

1055 part of the regular instructional program of the school shall be

1056 under the direction of the school principal.

1057 (2) SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER.—A school district may commission

1058 one or more school safety officers for the protection and safety

1059 of school personnel, property, and students within the school

1060 district. The district school superintendent may recommend, and

1061 the district school board may appoint, one or more school safety

1062 officers.

1063 (a) School safety officers shall undergo criminal

1064 background checks, drug testing, and a psychological evaluation

1065 and be law enforcement officers, as defined in s. 943.10(1),

1066 certified under chapter 943 and employed by either a law

1067 enforcement agency or by the district school board. If the

1068 officer is employed by the district school board, the district

1069 school board is the employing agency for purposes of chapter

1070 943, and must comply with that chapter.

1071 (b) A school safety officer has and shall exercise the

1072 power to make arrests for violations of law on district school

1073 board property or on property owned or leased by a charter

1074 school under a charter contract, as applicable, and to arrest

1075 persons, whether on or off such property, who violate any law on

1076 such property under the same conditions that deputy sheriffs are

1077 authorized to make arrests. A school safety officer has the

1078 authority to carry weapons when performing his or her official

1079 duties.

1080 (c) School safety officers must complete mental health

1081 crisis intervention training using a curriculum developed by a

1082 national organization with expertise in mental health crisis

1083 intervention. The training shall improve officers’ knowledge and

1084 skills as first responders to incidents involving students with

1085 emotional disturbance or mental illness, including de-escalation

1086 skills to ensure student and officer safety.

1087 (d) A district school board may enter into mutual aid

1088 agreements with one or more law enforcement agencies as provided

1089 in chapter 23. A school safety officer’s salary may be paid

1090 jointly by the district school board and the law enforcement

1091 agency, as mutually agreed to.

1092 (3) SCHOOL GUARDIAN.—

1093 (a) At the school district’s or the charter school

1094 governing board’s discretion, as applicable, pursuant to s.

1095 30.15, a school district or charter school governing board may

1096 participate in the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach

1097 Scott Beigel Guardian Program to meet the requirement of

1098 establishing a safe-school officer. The following individuals

1099 may serve as a school guardian, in support of school-sanctioned

1100 activities for purposes of s. 790.115, upon satisfactory

1101 completion of the requirements under s. 30.15(1)(k) and

1102 certification by a sheriff:

1103 1. A school district employee or personnel, as defined

1104 under s. 1012.01, or a charter school employee, as provided

1105 under s. 1002.33(12)(a), who volunteers to serve as a school

1106 guardian in addition to his or her official job duties; or

1107 2. An employee of a school district or a charter school who

1108 is hired for the specific purpose of serving as a school

1109 guardian.

1110 (b) Before appointing an individual as a school guardian,

1111 the school district or charter school shall contact the

1112 Department of Law Enforcement and review all information

1113 maintained under s. 30.15(1)(k)3.c. related to the individual.

1114 (c) The department shall provide to the Department of Law

1115 Enforcement any information relating to a school guardian

1116 received pursuant to subsection (5).

1117 (4) SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD.—A school district or charter

1118 school governing board may contract with a security agency as

1119 defined in s. 493.6101(18) to employ as a school security guard

1120 an individual who holds a Class “D” and Class “G” license

1121 pursuant to chapter 493, provided the following training and

1122 contractual conditions are met:

1123 (a) An individual who serves as a school security guard,

1124 for purposes of satisfying the requirements of this section,

1125 must:

1126 1. Demonstrate completion of 144 hours of required training

1127 conducted by a sheriff pursuant to s. 30.15(1)(k)2.

1128 2. Pass a psychological evaluation administered by a

1129 psychologist licensed under chapter 490 and designated by the

1130 Department of Law Enforcement and submit the results of the

1131 evaluation to the sheriff’s office and school district, charter

1132 school governing board, or employing security agency, as

1133 applicable. The Department of Law Enforcement is authorized to

1134 provide the sheriff’s office, school district, charter school

1135 governing board, or employing security agency with mental health

1136 and substance abuse data for compliance with this paragraph.

1137 3. Submit to and pass an initial drug test and subsequent

1138 random drug tests in accordance with the requirements of s.

1139 112.0455 and the sheriff’s office, school district, charter

1140 school governing board, or employing security agency, as

1141 applicable.

1142 4. Be approved to work as a school security guard by the

1143 sheriff of each county in which the school security guard will

1144 be assigned to a school before commencing work at any school in

1145 that county. The sheriff’s approval authorizes the security

1146 agency to assign the school security guard to any school in the

1147 county, and the sheriff’s approval is not limited to any

1148 particular school.

1149 5. Successfully complete ongoing training, weapon

1150 inspection, and firearm qualification conducted by a sheriff

1151 pursuant to s. 30.15(1)(k)2.e. on at least an annual basis and

1152 provide documentation to the sheriff’s office, school district,

1153 charter school governing board, or employing security agency, as

1154 applicable.

1155 (b) The contract between a security agency and a school

1156 district or a charter school governing board regarding

1157 requirements applicable to school security guards serving in the

1158 capacity of a safe-school officer for purposes of satisfying the

1159 requirements of this section shall define the entity or entities

1160 responsible for maintaining records relating to training,

1161 inspection, and firearm qualification.

1162 (c) School security guards serving in the capacity of a

1163 safe-school officer pursuant to this subsection are in support

1164 of school-sanctioned activities for purposes of s. 790.115, and

1165 must aid in the prevention or abatement of active assailant

1166 incidents on school premises.

1167 (d) The Office of Safe Schools shall provide the Department

1168 of Law Enforcement any information related to a school security

1169 guard that the office receives pursuant to subsection (5).

1170 (5) NOTIFICATION.—The district school superintendent or

1171 charter school administrator, or a respective designee shall

1172 notify the county sheriff and the Office of Safe Schools

1173 immediately after, but no later than 72 hours after:

1174 (a) A safe-school officer is dismissed for misconduct or is

1175 otherwise disciplined.

1176 (b) A safe-school officer discharges his or her firearm in

1177 the exercise of the safe-school officer’s duties, other than for

1178 training purposes.

1179 (6) CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING.—Each safe-school officer

1180 who is also a sworn law enforcement officer shall complete

1181 mental health crisis intervention training using a curriculum

1182 developed by a national organization with expertise in mental

1183 health crisis intervention. The training must improve the

1184 officer’s knowledge and skills as a first responder to incidents

1185 involving students with emotional disturbance or mental illness,

1186 including de-escalation skills to ensure student and officer

1187 safety.

1188 (7) LIMITATIONS.—An individual must satisfy the background

1189 screening, psychological evaluation, and drug test requirements

1190 and be approved by the sheriff before participating in any

1191 training required by s. 30.15(1)(k), which may be conducted only

1192 by a sheriff.

1193 (8) EXEMPTION.—Any information that would identify whether

1194 a particular individual has been appointed as a safe-school

1195 officer pursuant to this section held by a law enforcement

1196 agency, school district, or charter school is exempt from s.

1197 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

1199 If a district school board, through its adopted policies,

1200 procedures, or actions, denies a charter school access to any

1201 safe-school officer options pursuant to this section, the school

1202 district must assign a school resource officer or school safety

1203 officer to the charter school. Under such circumstances, the

1204 charter school’s share of the costs of the school resource

1205 officer or school safety officer may not exceed the safe school

1206 allocation funds provided to the charter school pursuant to s.

1207 1011.62(12) and shall be retained by the school district.

1208 Section 17. Present subsection (8) of section 1007.2616,

1209 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (9), and a new

1210 subsection (8) is added to that section, to read:

1211 1007.2616 Computer science and technology instruction.—

1212 (8)(a) To align educator credentials with instructional

1213 practice across grade levels, the State Board of Education shall

1214 establish by rule or maintain the following computer science

1215 subject area coverages:

1216 1. Computer science, grades K–5;

1217 2. Computer science, grades 6–12; and

1218 3. Computer science, grades K–12.

1219 (b) For the coverages in paragraph (a), the State Board of

1220 Education shall adopt competencies and skills and designate

1221 corresponding examinations by rule. The comprehensive computer

1222 science coverage for grades K-12 and its examination shall

1223 remain available unless amended by rule of the state board.

1224 (c)1. The Department of Education shall present recommended

1225 competencies and skills for the coverages of grades K–5 and

1226 grades 6–12 to the State Board of Education for approval by

1227 September 1, 2026.

1228 2. Following approval under subparagraph 1., the department

1229 shall coordinate development, piloting, and standard-setting for

1230 the examinations. The examinations for both grade-band coverages

1231 must be available for administration no later than January 1,

1232 2028.

1233 Section 18. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4), paragraphs (b)

1234 and (d) of subsection (5), and paragraph (a) of subsection (9)

1235 of section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraph

1236 (d) is added to subsection (4) of that section, to read:

1237 1008.25 Public school student progression; student support;

1238 coordinated screening and progress monitoring; reporting

1239 requirements.—

1240 (4) ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT.—

1241 (c) A student who has a substantial reading deficiency as

1242 determined in paragraph (5)(a) or a substantial mathematics

1243 deficiency as determined in paragraph (6)(a) must be covered by

1244 a federally required student plan, such as an individual

1245 education plan or an individualized progress monitoring plan, or

1246 both, as necessary. The individualized progress monitoring plan

1247 must be developed within 45 days after the results of the

1248 coordinated screening and progress monitoring system become

1249 available. The plan must, at a minimum, include:

1250 1. The student’s specific, identified reading or

1251 mathematics skill deficiency.

1252 2. Goals and benchmarks for student growth in reading or

1253 mathematics.

1254 3. A description of the specific measures that will be used

1255 to evaluate and monitor the student’s reading or mathematics

1256 progress.

1257 4. For a substantial reading deficiency, the specific

1258 evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the science of

1259 reading which the student will receive.

1260 5. Strategies, resources, and materials that will be

1261 provided to the student’s parent to support the student to make

1262 reading or mathematics progress. For a student with a

1263 substantial reading deficiency, resources must include

1264 information about the student’s eligibility for the New Worlds

1265 Reading Initiative under s. 1003.485.

1266 6. Any additional services the student’s teacher deems

1267 available and appropriate to accelerate the student’s reading or

1268 mathematics skill development.

1269 (d) If the coordinated screening and progress monitoring

1270 system under subsection (9), or any district-approved screening

1271 instrument, identifies a student as exhibiting characteristics

1272 of dyslexia or dyscalculia, the school district must:

1273 1. Ensure that the student is covered by a plan under

1274 paragraph (b) which includes evidence-based interventions that

1275 are specific to the identified characteristics of dyslexia or

1276 dyscalculia and that are aligned, as appropriate, with the

1277 interventions required under subsections (5) and (6).

1278 2. Treat the screening result as reasonable suspicion that

1279 the student may be a student with a disability for purposes of

1280 s. 1003.57 and promptly seek parental consent to conduct an

1281 initial evaluation consistent with State Board of Education rule

1282 and applicable federal law.

1283 3. Ensure that screening activities and intervention

1284 procedures, including interventions required under this

1285 subsection and subsections (5) and (6), occur concurrently with

1286 the evaluation process and are not used to delay or deny an

1287 appropriate evaluation.

1288 (5) READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.—

1289 (b) A Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program student

1290 who exhibits a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills

1291 based upon the results of the administration of the midyear or

1292 final coordinated screening and progress monitoring under

1293 subsection (9) shall be referred to the local school district

1294 and may be eligible to receive instruction in early literacy

1295 skills before participating in kindergarten. A Voluntary

1296 Prekindergarten Education Program student who scores below the

1297 25th ~~10th~~ percentile on the final administration of the

1298 coordinated screening and progress monitoring under subsection

1299 (9) shall be referred to the local school district and is

1300 eligible to receive early literacy skill instructional support

1301 through a summer bridge program the summer before participating

1302 in kindergarten. The summer bridge program must meet

1303 requirements adopted by the department and shall consist of 4

1304 hours of instruction per day for a minimum of 100 total hours. A

1305 student with an individual education plan who has been retained

1306 pursuant to paragraph (2)(g) and has demonstrated a substantial

1307 deficiency in early literacy skills must receive instruction in

1308 early literacy skills.

1309 (d) The parent of any student who exhibits a substantial

1310 deficiency in reading, as described in paragraph (a), must be

1311 immediately notified in writing of the following:

1312 1. That his or her child has been identified as having a

1313 substantial deficiency in reading, including a description and

1314 explanation, in terms understandable to the parent, of the exact

1315 nature of the student’s difficulty in learning and lack of

1316 achievement in reading.

1317 2. A description of the current services that are provided

1318 to the child.

1319 3. A description of the proposed intensive interventions

1320 and supports that will be provided to the child that are

1321 designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency.

1322 4. The student progression requirements under paragraph

1323 (2)(h) and that if the child’s reading deficiency is not

1324 remediated by the end of grade 3, the child must be retained

1325 unless he or she is exempt from mandatory retention for good

1326 cause.

1327 5. Strategies, including multisensory strategies and

1328 programming, through a read-at-home plan the parent can use in

1329 helping his or her child succeed in reading. The read-at-home

1330 plan must provide access to the resources identified in

1331 paragraph (e).

1332 6. That the statewide, standardized English Language Arts

1333 assessment is not the sole determiner of promotion and that

1334 additional evaluations, portfolio reviews, and assessments are

1335 available to the child to assist parents and the school district

1336 in knowing when a child is reading at or above grade level and

1337 ready for grade promotion.

1338 7. The district’s specific criteria and policies for a

1339 portfolio as provided in subparagraph (7)(b)4. and the evidence

1340 required for a student to demonstrate mastery of Florida’s

1341 academic standards for English Language Arts. A school must

1342 immediately begin collecting evidence for a portfolio when a

1343 student in grade 3 is identified as being at risk of retention

1344 or upon the request of the parent, whichever occurs first.

1345 8. The district’s specific criteria and policies for

1346 midyear promotion. Midyear promotion means promotion of a

1347 retained student at any time during the year of retention once

1348 the student has demonstrated ability to read at grade level.

1349 9. Information about the student’s eligibility for the New

1350 Worlds Reading Initiative under s. 1003.485 and the New Worlds

1351 Scholarship Accounts under s. 1002.411 and information on parent

1352 training modules and other reading engagement resources

1353 available through the initiative.

1355 After initial notification, the school shall apprise the parent

1356 at least monthly of the student’s progress in response to the

1357 intensive interventions and supports and the student’s

1358 eligibility for the New Worlds Reading Initiative under s.

1359 1003.485 . Such communications must be in writing and must

1360 explain any additional interventions or supports that will be

1361 implemented to accelerate the student’s progress if the

1362 interventions and supports already being implemented have not

1363 resulted in improvement. Upon the request of the parent, the

1364 teacher or school administrator shall meet to discuss the

1365 student’s progress. The parent may request more frequent

1366 notification of the student’s progress, more frequent

1367 interventions or supports, and earlier implementation of the

1368 additional interventions or supports described in the initial

1369 notification.

1370 (9) COORDINATED SCREENING AND PROGRESS MONITORING SYSTEM.—

1371 (a) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the

1372 Office of Early Learning, shall procure and require the use of a

1373 statewide, standardized coordinated screening and progress

1374 monitoring system for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education

1375 Program and public schools. The system must:

1376 1. Measure student progress in meeting the appropriate

1377 expectations in early literacy and mathematics skills and in

1378 English Language Arts and mathematics standards as required by

1379 ss. 1002.67(1)(a) and 1003.41 and identify the educational

1380 strengths and needs of students.

1381 2. For students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education

1382 Program through grade 3, measure student performance in oral

1383 language development, phonological and phonemic awareness,

1384 knowledge of print and letters, decoding, fluency, vocabulary,

1385 and comprehension, as applicable by grade level, and, at a

1386 minimum, provide interval level and norm-referenced data that

1387 measures equivalent levels of growth.

1388 3. Be a valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate

1389 computer-based direct instrument that provides screening and

1390 diagnostic capabilities for monitoring student progress;

1391 identifies students who have a substantial deficiency in reading

1392 or mathematics, including identifying students with

1393 characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning

1394 disorders; and informs instruction. Any student identified by

1395 the system as having characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia

1396 shall undergo further screening. Any student whose performance

1397 in the system meets thresholds established by State Board of

1398 Education rule in circumstances in which the system is not

1399 capable of identifying characteristics of dyslexia or

1400 dyscalculia must undergo further screening. The further

1401 screening required under this subparagraph is used to refine

1402 instructional planning and parental communication and is not a

1403 prerequisite for the interventions or evaluation obligations

1404 described in subsection (4). The State Board of Education shall

1405 adopt rules establishing timelines, performance thresholds, and

1406 parental notification requirements for further screening under

1407 this subparagraph. Screening activities under this subsection

1408 must occur concurrently with the interventions and evaluation

1409 obligations described in subsection (4) and may not be used to

1410 delay or deny an appropriate evaluation. Beginning with the

1411 2023-2024 school year, the coordinated screening and progress

1412 monitoring system must be computer-adaptive.

1413 4. Provide data for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education

1414 Program accountability as required under s. 1002.68.

1415 5. Provide Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

1416 providers, school districts, schools, teachers, and parents with

1417 data and resources that enhance differentiated instruction and

1418 parent communication.

1419 6. Provide baseline data to the department of each

1420 student’s readiness for kindergarten. The determination of

1421 kindergarten readiness must be based on the results of each

1422 student’s initial progress monitoring assessment in

1423 kindergarten. The methodology for determining a student’s

1424 readiness for kindergarten must be developed by the department

1425 and aligned to the methodology adopted pursuant to s. 1002.68(3)

1426 ~~s. 1002.68(4)~~ .

1427 7. Assess how well educational goals and curricular

1428 standards are met at the provider, school, district, and state

1429 levels and provide information to the department to aid in the

1430 development of educational programs, policies, and supports for

1431 providers, districts, and schools.

1432 Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

1433 1008.2125, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1434 1008.2125 The Council for Early Grade Success.—

1435 (1) The Council for Early Grade Success, a council as

1436 defined in s. 20.03(7), is created within the Department of

1437 Education to oversee the coordinated screening and progress

1438 monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9) for students in the

1439 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3 and,

1440 except as otherwise provided in this section, shall operate

1441 consistent with s. 20.052.

1442 (a) The council shall be responsible for reviewing the

1443 implementation of, training for, and outcomes from the

1444 coordinated screening and progress monitoring program to provide

1445 recommendations to the department that support grade 3 students

1446 reading at or above grade level. The council, at a minimum,

1447 shall:

1448 1. Provide recommendations on the implementation of the

1449 coordinated screening and progress monitoring program, including

1450 reviewing any procurement solicitation documents and criteria

1451 before being published.

1452 2. Develop training plans and timelines for such training.

1453 3. Identify appropriate personnel, processes, and

1454 procedures required for the administration of the coordinated

1455 screening and progress monitoring program.

1456 4. Provide input on the methodology for calculating a

1457 provider’s or school’s performance metric and designations under

1458 s. 1002.68(3) ~~s. 1002.68(4)~~ .

1459 5. Work with the department to review the methodology for

1460 determining a child’s kindergarten readiness.

1461 6. Review data on age-appropriate learning gains by grade

1462 level that a student would need to attain in order to

1463 demonstrate proficiency in reading by grade 3.

1464 7. Continually review anonymized data from the results of

1465 the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program for

1466 students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

1467 through grade 3 to help inform recommendations to the department

1468 that support practices that will enable grade 3 students to read

1469 at or above grade level.

1470 Section 20. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) and subsection

1471 (5) of section 1008.33, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1472 1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.—

1473 (3)

1474 (c) The state board shall adopt by rule a differentiated

1475 matrix of intervention and support strategies for assisting

1476 traditional public schools identified under this section and

1477 rules for implementing s. 1002.33(9)(n), relating to charter

1478 schools. The intervention and support strategies must address

1479 student performance and may include improvement planning;

1480 leadership quality improvement; educator quality improvement;

1481 professional learning; curriculum review, pacing, and alignment

1482 across grade levels to improve background knowledge in social

1483 studies, science, and the arts; and the use of continuous

1484 improvement and monitoring plans and processes. In addition, the

1485 state board may prescribe reporting requirements to review and

1486 monitor the progress of the schools. The rule must define the

1487 intervention and support strategies for school improvement for

1488 schools earning a grade of “D” or “F” and the roles for the

1489 district and department. A school may not be required to use the

1490 measure of student learning growth in s. 1012.34(7) as the sole

1491 determinant to recruit instructional personnel. The rule must

1492 create a timeline for a school district’s school improvement

1493 plan or district-managed turnaround plan to be approved and for

1494 the school improvement funds under Title I to be released to the

1495 school district. The timeline established by rule for the

1496 release of school improvement funding under Title I may not

1497 exceed 20 calendar days after the approval of the school

1498 improvement plan or district-managed turnaround plan.

1499 (5) The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.

1500 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. The rules

1501 shall include timelines for submission of implementation plans,

1502 approval criteria for implementation plans, timelines for

1503 releasing Title I funding, timelines for implementing

1504 intervention and support strategies, a standard charter school

1505 turnaround contract, a standard facility lease, and a mutual

1506 management agreement. The state board shall consult with

1507 education stakeholders in developing the rules.

1508 Section 21. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (2) of

1509 section 1010.20, Florida Statutes, to read:

1510 1010.20 Cost accounting and reporting for school

1511 districts.—

1512 (2) COST REPORTING.—

1513 (e) Each charter school shall receive and respond to

1514 monitoring questions from the department.

1515 Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 1011.14, Florida

1516 Statutes, is amended to read:

1517 1011.14 Obligations for a period of 1 year.—District school

1518 boards are authorized only under the following conditions to

1519 create obligations by way of anticipation of budgeted revenues

1520 accruing on a current basis without pledging the credit of the

1521 district or requiring future levy of taxes for certain purposes

1522 for a period of 1 year; however, such obligations may be

1523 extended from year to year with the consent of the lender for a

1524 period not to exceed 4 years, or for a total of 5 years

1525 including the initial year of the loan:

1526 (1) PURPOSES.—The purposes for which such obligations may

1527 be incurred within the intent of this section shall include only

1528 the purchase of school buses, land, and equipment for

1529 educational purposes; the erection of, alteration to, or

1530 addition to educational plants, ancillary plants, and auxiliary

1531 facilities; and the adjustment of insurance on educational

1532 property on a 5-year plan, as provided by rules of the State

1533 Board of Education.

1534 Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section

1535 1011.69, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1536 1011.69 Equity in School-Level Funding Act.—

1537 (4) After providing Title I, Part A, Basic funds to schools

1538 above the 75 percent poverty threshold, which may include high

1539 schools above the 50 percent threshold as permitted by federal

1540 law, school districts shall provide any remaining Title I, Part

1541 A, Basic funds directly to all eligible schools as provided in

1542 this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, an eligible

1543 school is a school that is eligible to receive Title I funds,

1544 including a charter school. The threshold for identifying

1545 eligible schools may not exceed the threshold established by a

1546 school district for the 2016-2017 school year or the statewide

1547 percentage of economically disadvantaged students, as determined

1548 annually.

1549 (a) Prior to the allocation of Title I funds to eligible

1550 schools, a school district may withhold funds only as follows:

1551 1. One percent for parent involvement, in addition to the

1552 one percent the district must reserve under federal law for

1553 allocations to eligible schools for parent involvement;

1554 2. A necessary and reasonable amount for administration

1555 which includes the district’s indirect cost rate, not to exceed

1556 a total of 10 percent;

1557 3. A reasonable and necessary amount to provide:

1558 a. Homeless programs;

1559 b. Delinquent and neglected programs;

1560 c. Prekindergarten programs and activities;

1561 d. Private school equitable services; and

1562 e. Transportation for foster care children to their school

1563 of origin or choice programs; and

1564 4. A necessary and reasonable amount, not to exceed 1

1565 percent, for eligible schools to provide educational services in

1566 accordance with the approved Title I plan. Such educational

1567 services may include the provision of STEM curricula,

1568 instructional materials, and related learning technologies that

1569 support academic achievement in science, technology,

1570 engineering, and mathematics in Title I schools, including, but

1571 not limited to, technologies related to drones, coding,

1572 animation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science,

1573 the engineering design process, mobile development, and

1574 robotics. Funds may be reserved under this subparagraph only to

1575 the extent that all required reservations under federal law have

1576 been met and that such reservation does not reduce school-level

1577 allocations below the levels required under federal law.

1578 Section 24. Subsections (2) through (6) of section 1011.71,

1579 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1580 1011.71 District school tax.—

1581 (2) In addition to the maximum millage levy as provided in

1582 subsection (1), each school board may levy not more than 1.5

1583 mills against the taxable value for school purposes for charter

1584 schools pursuant to s. 1013.62(1) and (3) and for district

1585 schools for operational or capital purposes ~~to fund:~~

1586 ~~(a) New construction, remodeling projects, sites and site~~

1587 ~~improvement or expansion to new sites, existing sites, auxiliary~~

1588 ~~facilities, athletic facilities, or ancillary facilities.~~

1589 ~~(b) Maintenance, renovation, and repair of existing school~~

1590 ~~plants or of leased facilities to correct deficiencies pursuant~~

1591 ~~to s. 1013.15(2).~~

1592 ~~(c) The purchase, lease-purchase, or lease of school buses.~~

1593 ~~(d) The purchase, lease-purchase, or lease of new and~~

1594 ~~replacement equipment; computer and device hardware and~~

1595 ~~operating system software necessary for gaining access to or~~

1596 ~~enhancing the use of electronic and digital instructional~~

1597 ~~content and resources; and enterprise resource software~~

1598 ~~applications that are classified as capital assets in accordance~~

1599 ~~with definitions of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board,~~

1600 ~~have a useful life of at least 5 years, and are used to support~~

1601 ~~districtwide administration or state-mandated reporting~~

1602 ~~requirements. Enterprise resource software may be acquired by~~

1603 ~~annual license fees, maintenance fees, or lease agreements.~~

1604 ~~(e) Payments for educational facilities and sites due under~~

1605 ~~a lease-purchase agreement entered into by a district school~~

1606 ~~board pursuant to s. 1003.02(1)(f) or s. 1013.15(2), not~~

1607 ~~exceeding, in the aggregate, an amount equal to three-fourths of~~

1608 ~~the proceeds from the millage levied by a district school board~~

1609 ~~pursuant to this subsection. The three-fourths limit is waived~~

1610 ~~for lease-purchase agreements entered into before June 30, 2009,~~

1611 ~~by a district school board pursuant to this paragraph. If~~

1612 ~~payments under lease-purchase agreements in the aggregate,~~

1613 ~~including lease-purchase agreements entered into before June 30,~~

1614 ~~2009, exceed three-fourths of the proceeds from the millage~~

1615 ~~levied pursuant to this subsection, the district school board~~

1616 ~~may not withhold the administrative fees authorized by s.~~

1617 ~~1002.33(20) from any charter school operating in the school~~

1618 ~~district.~~

1619 ~~(f) Payment of loans approved pursuant to ss. 1011.14 and~~

1620 ~~1011.15.~~

1621 ~~(g) Payment of costs directly related to complying with~~

1622 ~~state and federal environmental statutes, rules, and regulations~~

1623 ~~governing school facilities.~~

1624 ~~(h) Payment of costs of leasing relocatable educational~~

1625 ~~facilities, of renting or leasing educational facilities and~~

1626 ~~sites pursuant to s. 1013.15(2), or of renting or leasing~~

1627 ~~buildings or space within existing buildings pursuant to s.~~

1628 ~~1013.15(4).~~

1629 ~~(i) Payment of the cost of school buses when a school~~

1630 ~~district contracts with a private entity to provide student~~

1631 ~~transportation services if the district meets the requirements~~

1632 ~~of this paragraph.~~

1633 ~~1. The district’s contract must require that the private~~

1634 ~~entity purchase, lease-purchase, or lease, and operate and~~

1635 ~~maintain, one or more school buses of a specific type and size~~

1636 ~~that meet the requirements of s. 1006.25.~~

1637 ~~2. Each such school bus must be used for the daily~~

1638 ~~transportation of public school students in the manner required~~

1639 ~~by the school district.~~

1640 ~~3. Annual payment for each such school bus may not exceed~~

1641 ~~10 percent of the purchase price of the state pool bid.~~

1642 ~~4. The proposed expenditure of the funds for this purpose~~

1643 ~~must have been included in the district school board’s notice of~~

1644 ~~proposed tax for school capital outlay as provided in s.~~

1645 ~~200.065(10).~~

1646 ~~(j) Payment of the cost of the opening day collection for~~

1647 ~~the library media center of a new school.~~

1648 ~~(k) Payment of salaries and benefits for employees whose~~

1649 ~~job duties support activities funded by this subsection~~ .

1650 (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), if the revenue from 1.5

1651 mills is insufficient to meet the payments due under a lease

1652 purchase agreement entered into before June 30, 2009, by a

1653 district school board ~~pursuant to paragraph (2)(e)~~ , or to meet

1654 other critical district fixed capital outlay needs, the board,

1655 in addition to the 1.5 mills, may levy up to 0.25 mills for

1656 fixed capital outlay in lieu of levying an equivalent amount of

1657 the discretionary mills for operations as provided in the

1658 General Appropriations Act. Millage levied pursuant to this

1659 subsection is subject to the provisions of s. 200.065 and,

1660 combined with the 1.5 mills authorized in subsection (2), may

1661 not exceed 1.75 mills. If the district chooses to use up to 0.25

1662 mills for fixed capital outlay, the compression adjustment

1663 pursuant to s. 1011.62(5) shall be calculated for the standard

1664 discretionary millage that is not eligible for transfer to

1665 capital outlay.

1666 (4) If the revenue from the millage authorized in

1667 subsection (2) is insufficient to make payments due under a

1668 lease-purchase agreement entered into prior to June 30, 2008, by

1669 a district school board ~~pursuant to paragraph (2)(e~~ ), an amount

1670 up to 0.5 mills of the taxable value for school purposes within

1671 the school district shall be legally available for such

1672 payments, notwithstanding other restrictions on the use of such

1673 revenues imposed by law.

1674 ~~(5) A school district may expend, subject to s. 200.065, up~~

1675 ~~to $200 per unweighted full-time equivalent student from the~~

1676 ~~revenue generated by the millage levy authorized by subsection~~

1677 ~~(2) to fund, in addition to expenditures authorized in~~

1678 ~~paragraphs (2)(a)-(j), expenses for the following:~~

1679 ~~(a) The purchase, lease-purchase, or lease of driver’s~~

1680 ~~education vehicles; motor vehicles used for the maintenance or~~

1681 ~~operation of plants and equipment; security vehicles; or~~

1682 ~~vehicles used in storing or distributing materials and~~

1683 ~~equipment.~~

1684 ~~(b) Payment of the cost of premiums, as defined in s.~~

1685 ~~627.403, for property and casualty insurance necessary to insure~~

1686 ~~school district educational and ancillary plants. As used in~~

1687 ~~this paragraph, casualty insurance has the same meaning as in s.~~

1688 ~~624.605(1)(b), (d), (f), (g), (h), and (m). Operating revenues~~

1689 ~~that are made available through the payment of property and~~

1690 ~~casualty insurance premiums from revenues generated under this~~

1691 ~~subsection may be expended only for nonrecurring operational~~

1692 ~~expenditures of the school district.~~

1693 ~~(6) Violations of the expenditure provisions in subsection~~

1694 ~~(2) or subsection (5) shall result in an equal dollar reduction~~

1695 ~~in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) funds for the~~

1696 ~~violating district in the fiscal year following the audit~~

1697 ~~citation.~~

1698 Section 25. Subsection (2) of section 1011.73, Florida

1699 Statutes, is amended to read:

1700 1011.73 District millage elections.—

1701 (2) MILLAGE AUTHORIZED NOT TO EXCEED 4 YEARS.—The district

1702 school board, pursuant to resolution adopted at a regular

1703 meeting, shall direct the county commissioners to call an

1704 election at which the electors within the school district may

1705 approve an ad valorem tax millage as authorized under s.

1706 1011.71(7) ~~s. 1011.71(9)~~ . Such election may be held at any time,

1707 except that not more than one such election shall be held during

1708 any 12-month period. Any millage so authorized shall be levied

1709 for a period not in excess of 4 years or until changed by

1710 another millage election, whichever is earlier. If any such

1711 election is invalidated by a court of competent jurisdiction,

1712 such invalidated election shall be considered not to have been

1713 held.

1714 Section 26. Section 1011.804, Florida Statutes, is amended

1715 to read:

1716 1011.804 GATE Startup Grant Program.—

1717 (1) The GATE Startup Grant Program is established within

1718 the Department of Education to fund and support the startup and

1719 implementation of the GATE Program, subject to legislative

1720 appropriation. The purpose of the grant program is to increase

1721 access to programs that support adult learners earning a high

1722 school credential, either a high school diploma or its

1723 equivalent, and a workforce credential aligned to statewide or

1724 regional demand. The department shall administer the grants,

1725 determine eligibility, and distribute grant awards.

1726 (2) As used in this section, the term “institution” means a

1727 school district career center established under s. 1001.44, a

1728 charter technical career center established under s. 1002.34, or

1729 a Florida College System institution identified in s. 1000.21

1730 which offers the GATE Program pursuant to s. 1004.933.

1731 (3) The department may solicit proposals from institutions

1732 ~~without programs that meet the requirements of s. 1004.933~~ . Such

1733 institutions must be located in or serve a rural area of

1734 opportunity , as defined in s. 288.0656(2)(d) ~~as designated by~~

1735 ~~the Governor~~ . For purposes of this subsection, an institution

1736 serves a rural area of opportunity if the institution’s service

1737 area includes one or more counties or municipalities included

1738 within a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.

1739 288.0656(2)(d). An institution’s principal place of business,

1740 main campus, or administrative offices are not required to be

1741 located within a rural area of opportunity in order to satisfy

1742 the service requirement.

1743 (a) The department may award a grant to an institution

1744 that, at the time of application, does not offer programs that

1745 meet the requirements of s. 1004.933 to support startup and

1746 implementation activities.

1747 (b) The department may award a grant to an institution

1748 that, at the time of application, offers programs that meet the

1749 requirements of s. 1004.933 only for costs authorized in

1750 subsection (6), excluding new construction, structural

1751 expansion, and major renovation.

1752 (4) The department shall prioritize grant proposals that

1753 combine adult basic education, adult secondary education, and

1754 career education programs at one location or allow students to

1755 complete programs through distance learning. An applicant may

1756 not receive more than 10 percent of the total amount

1757 appropriated for the program.

1758 (5) The department shall make the grant application

1759 available to potential applicants no later than August 15 of

1760 each year in which funds are appropriated for the program ~~, 2024~~ .

1761 A grant proposal must include:

1762 (a) The institution or institutions that will provide the

1763 adult basic education, adult secondary education, and career

1764 education programs;

1765 (b) The proposed adult basic education and adult secondary

1766 education program or programs the institution or institutions

1767 will provide, and the projected enrollment for such program or

1768 programs;

1769 (c) The proposed career education program or programs the

1770 institution or institutions will provide and the projected

1771 enrollment for such program or programs;

1772 (d) The credential or credentials associated with the

1773 career education program or programs. Such credential or

1774 credentials must be included on the Master Credentials List

1775 under s. 445.004(4);

1776 (e) The cost of instruction for all programs contemplated

1777 in the proposal, including costs for tuition, fees,

1778 registration, and laboratory, examination, and instructional

1779 materials costs;

1780 (f) Outreach strategies, including collaboration with local

1781 workforce development boards; ~~and~~

1782 (g) A plan or timeline for implementing s. 1004.933 and

1783 enrolling students ; and

1784 (h) Documentation identifying the counties or

1785 municipalities within the institution’s service area which are

1786 included in a rural area of opportunity as defined in s.

1787 288.0656(2)(d) .

1788 (6) Grant funds may be used for planning activities and

1789 other expenses associated with the creation and implementation

1790 of the GATE Program, such as expenses related to program

1791 instruction, instructional equipment, supplies, instructional

1792 personnel, and student services , minor facility modifications

1793 necessary to install or operate instructional equipment used for

1794 the GATE Program, and marketing and outreach activities to

1795 recruit and enroll eligible students. Marketing and outreach

1796 activities and minor facility modifications authorized under

1797 this subsection are allowable direct costs of program

1798 implementation . Grant funds may not be used for indirect costs.

1799 Grant recipients must submit an annual report in a format

1800 prescribed by the department. The department shall consolidate

1801 such annual reports and include the reports in the report

1802 required by s. 1004.933(6).

1803 (7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to

1804 administer this section.

1805 Section 27. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

1806 1012.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1807 1012.22 Public school personnel; powers and duties of the

1808 district school board.—The district school board shall:

1809 (3)(a) Collective bargaining.—Notwithstanding provisions of

1810 chapter 447 related to district school board collective

1811 bargaining, collective bargaining may not preclude a district

1812 school board from carrying out its constitutional and statutory

1813 duties related to the following:

1814 1. Providing incentives to effective and highly effective

1815 teachers.

1816 2. Implementing intervention and support strategies under

1817 s. 1008.33 to address the causes of low student performance and

1818 improve student academic performance and attendance.

1819 3. Implementing student discipline provisions required by

1820 law, including a review of a student’s abilities, past

1821 performance, behavior, and needs.

1822 4. Implementing school safety plans and requirements.

1823 5. Implementing staff and student recognition programs.

1824 6. Distributing correspondence to parents, teachers, and

1825 community members related to the daily operation of schools and

1826 the district.

1827 7. Providing any required notice or copies of information

1828 related to the district school board or district operations

1829 which is readily available on the school district’s website.

1830 8. The school district’s calendar.

1831 9. Providing salary supplements pursuant to sub

1832 subparagraph (1)(c)5.c.(III).

1833 10. Implementing the salary increases and salary

1834 distribution plan required under s. 1011.62(14).

1835 Section 28. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section

1836 1012.555, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1837 1012.555 Teacher Apprenticeship Program.—

1838 (2)

1839 (d) An apprentice teacher must be appointed by the district

1840 school board or work in the district as an education

1841 paraprofessional and must be paid in accordance with s. 446.032

1842 and rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

1843 Section 29. (1) The Department of Education shall

1844 collaborate with the Lastinger Center for Learning at the

1845 University of Florida to recommend to the Legislature

1846 individualized, adaptive artificial intelligence tools to

1847 support mathematics instruction in grades K-12. The

1848 recommendations must:

1849 (a) Ensure that recommended tools align to the Florida

1850 academic standards and prepare students for state assessments.

1851 (b) Consider alternate mathematics sequencing and grade

1852 level progression, and alternate funding models to support

1853 individualized progression through content.

1854 (c) Evaluate the extent to which the tools provide real

1855 time diagnostic assessments, individualized learning pathways,

1856 adaptive sequencing of content, and immediate, personalized

1857 feedback to students.

1858 (d) Evaluate the applicability of the tools to progress

1859 monitoring tools, district learning management systems,

1860 suggested interventions, small-group instructional supports, and

1861 professional development that enables teachers to integrate the

1862 tools into classroom instruction.

1863 (e) Provide for student data privacy and transparency in

1864 data collection and retention.

1865 (f) Consider statewide and district-level costs.

1866 (2) The department shall submit its recommendations to the

1867 Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

1868 House of Representatives by December 1, 2026.

1869 Section 30. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.