High Performing Teacher Bonuses Act

At the request of Gov. Charlie Crist, two pieces of legislation were filed for the 2010 Legislative Session designed to increase bonuses for educators teaching in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced International Certificate of Education programs. Senate Bill 1970, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, and House Bill 1287, sponsored by Rep. Tom Grady, would remove the current $2,000 cap on bonuses for teachers in these three programs. In addition, the legislation requires that 100 percent of the funds generated by each program be returned to the generating program. The bill also limits the use of funds to teacher bonuses, examination fees and professional development within the respective program. If the available funds exceed required bonuses, school districts would be required to reallocate any remaining funds to increase bonuses for the teachers whose students generated the funds. To learn more about this bill and other important bills this legislative session, visit Online Sunshine, Florida’s legislative portal, at http://leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm?CFID=135084721&CFTOKEN=98059725 or contact your local legislators.