NOTE: This is a legislative update from Emergent Design and Development, a Tallahassee consulting firm that advises clients about education matters.

From Bob and Mary Bedford

The session is progressing with the release of the Senate Budget – and the House budget is expected to be released this week.  In somewhat of a surprise, both Houses have included the stimulus money for Education.  The budgets will not be identical and most educators will probably favor the Senate Position.

COMMISSIONER NOTES

After having an opportunity to hear Education Commissioner Eric Smith make several presentations last week, I believe that the following bullets represent actions that we can expect as a result of this Session.

 

•        Florida will be granted a waiver and receive stimulus money.  (Possibly as early as next week.)
•        Stimulus dollars will come with strict accountability guidelines, including fiscal audits and educational audits to assure that the money will result in improved student outcomes.
•        The Florida Legislature will pass legislation increasing graduation requirements.
•       Florida will proceed toward end of the year examinations, which will count for a significant portion of a student’s grade. (Possibly as much as 30%)
•        The High School FCAT will eventually be replaced by end-of-year exams.
•       The financial problems facing Florida will require several years to correct, before we regain the levels of funding that have existed in 2006 and 2007.
•        The DOE is actively involved in the legislation that we see progressing through the committees.
•        Florida is fortunate to have a commissioner with connections to Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education. As a result, we are going to be in a better position to receive and spend stimulus dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. LEGISLATION WITH MAJOR CURRICULUM IMPLICATIONS

SB  2654 has  requirements for graduation for students entering high school in 2010-2011.  Among the items in this bill, are a new College Preparatory Diploma with 20 core curriculum credits. Changes include 4 credits in Math. (One credit in Alg. I, one credit in Geometry, one credit in Alg. II and one credit in a course higher than Alg. ll.) 4 credits in science (one credit in Biology, one credit in physical science, one credit in earth science, Space science, or environmental science.)  The bill also establishes requirements for a career diploma and an alternative diploma.  Students would be required to have a college preparatory diploma to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

 

HB 1293 has requirements for students entering grade 9 in 2010-2011.  4 credits in Math (one credit in Alg. I, one credit in Geometry) beginning with students entering grade 9 in 2012-2013, Alg. II would be added.  Three credits in science (one credit in Biology I, one credit of physical, and one higher level course.) beginning with the students entering grade 9 in 2012-2013, one credit in chemistry would be added in place of the physical science requirement.  This bill also has an alternate diploma option.

HB 1503, which is identical to SB 346, adds ½ credit to the core curriculum by requiring ½ credit in health education.

HB 13 requires that students entering grade 6 in 2011-2012, must be required to take one credit of civics.  In the 2012-2013 school year, a statewide, standardized, end of the year exam must be given in civics.  This exam will count for 30% of the grade and must be passed in order to receive credit.

HB 543 would replace the FCAT science exam with an end of the year exam.  This end of the year exam would count for 30% of a student’s grade and would have to be passed in order to pass the course and receive credit.

There are several bills relating to retirement, which we will follow closely and report on the ones most likely to pass.  We believe that there will be significant changes in the ability to retire, draw retirement, and return to work. Legislators have very strong feelings against this practice.

Florida Legislators are considering reducing the funds provided for AP, IB, and AICE that are distributed to each school district passed on the number of students who passed tests for the advanced courses.  The proposal would cut the funding by 50%.

BUDGET

 

The Senate Educations Chair has released a proposed budget along with a Conforming Bill and implementation language. 

You will note that transportation, instructional materials, teachers lead, and stabilization funds are included in the FEFP which will artificially improve the per student expense.  Class size reduction funds are included in the budget.  You will also note that the Senate budget proposes to have a zero percentage difference from the current year

The budget Conforming bill addresses many issues.  Ruth Melton from the Florida School Boards association has provided an outline of the proposed changes.  (see attachment for summaries of  SB 1676 and SB 1678)

You will find that class size reporting remains at the current level for one more year.  The DOE will be reporting at the classroom level for informational purposes.

STIMULUS PACKAGE.

The Commissioner has announced that the DOE is developing documents for School District use as they prepare to begin spending Stimulus Money.  Included in the package will be the forms where districts will outline the focused strategies that will be used to meet the overall goals of the Recovery Act.  There will be a high level of accountability connected with the use of these funds.  Accountability on the expenditure side as well as on the student results side.  This money must improve the education of our students.