While other bills have received little attention this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed two bills Thursday that he touts as eliminating “bureaucracy” and red tape from public education.
The measures (SB 7002 and SB 7004) eliminated some reporting requirements for school districts, but did not go as far as some advocates had hoped. For example, a provision cutting back on high-stakes testing was removed from the bill before it reached the governor's desk.
Still, the proposal's intent to ease state regulation of schools permeated other education-related initiatives that passed the session.
“I would say that overall the deregulatory spirit has really shaped the tone and direction of K-12 education policy,” said Megan Fay, a lobbyist at Capital City Consulting. , what didn't pass,'' he told the Pinellas County Board of Education. recently.
Compared to the past five Congresses, “I think the number of bills impacting K-12 education is probably the lowest in history. The number of new mandates is certainly higher. Other than school safety. …I think it's almost zero.”
DeSantis on Tuesday signed a school safety bill (HB 1473) aimed at, among other things, increasing protection from intruders. The measure drew attention for its requirement that all school doors, gates, and entrances must be locked whenever the school is not staffed.
The provision infuriated many school leaders, who expressed concerns about the logistics of allowing outside groups to use the campus for non-school activities. Lawmakers added language that would exempt the time the building is being used by others.
Another bill (SB 1264) that adds new mandates would require schools to teach the history of communism. Mr. DeSantis signed the bill to great fanfare in April.
Daniel Thomas, chief lobbyist for the Florida School Boards Association, said that aside from those two items, the meeting's impact on school districts was “very light.”
As an example, she pointed out that a bill allowing religious chaplains to provide counseling in public schools is voluntary. Thomas said the school board “can choose to do nothing about this,” and so far, only Miami-Dade County school officials have indicated they will take action on the matter. added.
But other new bills have some impact on schools.
Thomas said the measure signed by the governor in April (HB 1285) has received praise from school officials for placing limits on textbook challenges by non-parents.
The teacher training measure approved by DeSantis a week ago (HB 1291) prohibits prep programs from incorporating “identity politics” into their classes. Another bill DeSantis signed Thursday, HB 1361, provides grants and assistance to schools seeking to use artificial intelligence appropriately.
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Citrus County School Board Chairman Thomas Kennedy, immediate past president of the Florida School Boards Association, said the legislation has the potential to transform public education in Florida. There are also increasing opportunities for pre-kindergarten students to earn scholarships in early literacy and math programs.
School choice further accelerated when DeSantis signed legislation Thursday (HB 1403) expanding eligibility for state vouchers and education savings accounts. The new law also sets revised deadlines for families and schools to receive vouchers after complaints of late payments in the fall.
The bill originally included limits on how families could use the funds, but lawmakers removed those limits after homeschooling families balked.
DeSantis also signed a bill (SB 7032) Thursday that creates a new program for high school dropouts to earn a diploma and workforce qualifications.
The only important education-related bill still awaiting action from the governor is the budget. District officials said they are putting many spending decisions on hold for next year while a veto remains possible.
Others, however, are looking ahead to the next meeting, hoping that the idea of deregulation will be maintained.
“We're being told this is not a one-and-done thing,” said Thomas, the school board lobbyist. She expressed hope that provisions reducing testing would be reinstated in 2025.