Lawmakers discussed a wide range of education issues during Florida's 2024 legislative session.
The bills on the governor's desk touch on issues such as regulating the recently expanded voucher program, limiting teacher training topics and loosening regulations for public schools.
Public education advocates said they will keep an eye on bills they believe will be a flashpoint next school year.
“The next step is to wait and see what rules the State Board of Education comes up with,” said Damaris Allen, president of the education advocacy group Families for Strong Public Schools. “How the board interprets the law has the most impact and direct impact on students.”
Allen said she and her group plan to monitor upcoming board meetings and speak during public comment sessions.
Highlights of the 2024 Congress include:
Educator Preparation Program (HB 1291)
This bill restricts the teaching of certain topics in teacher education programs.
The report found that program courses “distort important historical events,” teach “identity politics,” violate the Florida Educational Equity Act, and demonstrate “systemic racism, sexism, and oppression.” , states that it must not include a curriculum that is “based on the theory that privilege is inherent in the state of Florida.” An American institution created to maintain social, political, and economic inequality. ”
Opponents are comparing the bill to the Stop WOKE Act of 2022, which has been blocked by higher education and workplace courts.
Book Challenge Restrictions (HB 1285)
Excessive library challenges are causing chaos in some Florida school districts. HB 1285 seeks to ease that burden by limiting challenges to one per month for childless people in the district.
The final version does not include the House provision that would have imposed a $100 “processing” fee on unsuccessful book challenges by certain individuals.
The bill comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis said widespread book bans were being used to create a political narrative and that steps were needed to curb “frivolous” book challenges. It was submitted in response to this.
School Chaplains (HB 931)
In response to a shortage of school counselors, lawmakers in conservative states such as Florida have proposed allowing volunteer chaplains in public schools.
HB 931 would allow chaplains, who do not have the same licenses and training as school counselors, to provide “assistances, services, and programs to students” with parental consent.
According to the bill, chaplains would have to pass a background check like other non-teaching employees.
In addition to concerns about violating the separation of church and state, Allen also questioned the thoroughness of background checks.
“These chaplains will have access to students in ways that require at least a Level 2 background check,” Allen said, adding that would include fingerprinting.
Patriotic organizations in schools (HB 1317)
Representatives from eight “patriotic groups'' will be allowed to visit schools during and after school hours to speak to students and distribute materials encouraging participation in those groups.
The organizations are Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Civil Air Patrol, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts of the United States, League of Marines, and Navy Sea. Corps of cadets.
The bill defines a “patriotic organization'' as a “youth membership organization for young people under the age of 21 with an educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic participation.''
Communism History Lesson (SB 1264/HB 1349)
K-12 students could begin receiving instruction on communist history by the 2026-2027 school year. The bill also includes the establishment of a state museum on the history of communism.
Instruction must be “age-appropriate and development-appropriate,” and should be used to describe the domestic communist movement, the atrocities committed abroad under communist leadership, and “transform communism and totalitarianism into freedom and democracy.” Includes teachings on “principles and comparative arguments.''
Senate bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, and other supporters warned that young people are increasingly viewing communism in a positive light.
Before final passage, Democrats tried to include lessons about “McCarthyism” and how the Jan. 6 Capitol riot could lead to communism. The fix did not make it into the final version.
Deregulation bill (SB 7002, SB 7004)
The bills, dubbed “Learn Local,” are a comprehensive package of education bills aimed at reducing “onerous” regulations for public schools, according to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
Passidomo, a Naples Republican, has made school deregulation a priority to help public schools remain competitive with other education options, especially after the state expanded private school vouchers last year.
SB 7002 (combined with SB 7000) focuses on reducing regulations regarding school management and finances.
Among other things, it would simplify financial requirements and give school districts more authority over teacher certification and training, teacher contracts and pay (including the use of advanced degrees in pay adjustments), performance evaluations, and collective bargaining.
SB 7004 revised student-side requirements for school districts. For example, revising plans to identify students who are weak in reading or math in kindergarten through second grade.
The age at which a person can take the high school equivalency exam will also be lowered from 18 to 16.
An earlier version would have removed requirements for high school students to pass the state's 10th grade English language arts exam and the Algebra I final exam to earn a diploma, but those provisions did not pass.
Universal Voucher Amendment (HB 1403)
HB 1403 aims to clarify the universal voucher program that was expanded last year. The bill establishes several guidelines for distributing voucher funds to families in a timely manner, following public outcry over delayed payments.
It also outlines plans by voucher companies Step Up for Students and AAA to publish clearer rules about what homeschoolers can buy with voucher funds. The proposal comes amid reports that some voucher recipients are buying kayaks, big-screen TVs and amusement park tickets, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
But lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have placed limits on such purchases, limiting them to materials related only to core subjects such as reading, math, social studies and science.
The bill still requires funding agencies to work with the Florida Center for Uniquely Abilities Students to develop a purchasing guide by August 1, 2024.
Additional information from Florida News Service was used in this article.