Monday, February 28, 2011

Legislative Action Alert

News from ASCA

ACTION ALERT


Issue: The House Majority recently passed H.R. 1, which would cut $10.6 billion, or 15.3 percent of the education budget for fiscal year 2011. This cut would eliminate the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), which is currently funded at $55 million. Other catastrophic cuts and eliminations would affect the following programs: Tech Prep State Grants, GEAR UP, TRIO, IDEA state grants, federal Pell Grants and many more.

ACTION NEEDED: We are asking you to call or e-mail your House and Senate members today with the following message:

"As a constituent of Representative/Senator ___________, I am calling/writing because I strongly oppose H. R. 1. I would like to request you, as my elected official, refuse to pass further cuts to education. Programs such as the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program are vital for our students, especially in time of economic hardship. These cuts will have a negative impact on our students."

Feel free to list any of the programs that are meaningful to you, such as:
· Elementary and Secondary School Program (eliminated)
· Integration of Mental Health Systems (eliminated)
· Safe Schools/Healthy Students (severely cut)
· Federal TRIO programs (cut)
· GEAR UP (cut)

Steps for Reaching Members of Congress:
If you don't know who your members of Congress are, go to http://www.contactingthecongress.org/, enter your ZIP code, and the names of your elected representatives with phone numbers and hyperlinks will appear.

If you know your members of Congress you can call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121 and ask for your member's office.

When you call, make sure to give your name and identify yourself as a constituent; you may need to give your home address (city/town). If you are unable to get through via phone, please go to your member's Web site (which can be found at http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ ) and opt to send an e-mail. Be sure to let them know that you are an educator, and these cuts will have a negative impact on your work and the education of children in his/her district. Personal stories are the most meaningful.

Please widely circulate this message and encourage all educators in your building to call/e-mail their elected officials. This is timely matter; please act today! If you have any questions or have difficulty finding your elected official please contact Amanda Fitzgerald.


 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

SB 736 Scheduled for Full Senate Floor Vote

Source: FEA Newsletter
Urgent Legislative Alert
February 25, 2011
SB 736 Scheduled for Full Senate Floor Vote
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Senate Bill 736, the so-called Teacher Quality legislation, is on the fast track. Florida legislators have scheduled a senate floor vote on the bill for Wednesday, March 9 (the 2nd day of the regular legislative session).

This is the bill that will tie all teacher pay to student test scores, even though the state still does not have a tested and proven evaluation system in place.

It will dramatically increase the number of FCAT-style tests, costing the state and local school districts hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars, without a way to pay for them.

It will label teachers, highly-effective, effective, needs improvement and unsatisfactory, but it doesn't not address remediation or any support for teachers who need assistance.

It prohibits local school boards from considering advanced degrees and special training when determining a teacher's salary.

And, it will subject all new teachers to be fired without explanation or just cause.

Tallahassee politicians tried to takeover our schools last year. Working together we stopped them. Now, we need to stand up against this repeat assault on Florida teachers and our schools.

Contact your legislator NOW, and tell them this bill is flawed. It needs to be fixed and funded!  

We must get their attention. It is important to continue contacting your senator next week (February 28 - March 7) when they return home prior to the start of the Legislative session.  

Email or call to make an appointment to meet with your senator face-to-face.  Urge them to Stop the Attack on Florida Teachers!

If you don't know your senator's name or how to contact them, go to http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find. Fill in your address and city to locate your senator's name and contact information.  

Florida Legislative Session overview

Today’s Education Policy & Program Development Update may be found in PDF form at http://grants.leeschools.net/update/pdf/FY2011/EPPDU_2011_02_22.pdf

This update includes coverage of:

· -- Federal budget deadlock
-- Governor's budget proposal
-- Draft Race to the Top procedures
-- New education accountability dashboard

Note that the bills in the legislative overview includes bills pertaining to education, child safety, governance, and public employee retirement plans. This list will be updated throughout the session.

SB 736

On February 15, the Budget Subcommittee on Education prek-12 Appropriations voted 8 to 1 to submit a committee substitute to SB 736. The PDF is online at:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/0736/Amendment/248470/HTML

Take Action (PUTV Sign up) | FEA

Take Action (PUTV Sign up) | FEA

ALERT: SB 736 is Schedule for Floor Vote
Stop the Attack on Teachers
Senate Bill 736, the so-called Teacher Quality legislation, is on the fast track. Florida legislators have scheduled a senate floor vote on the bill for Wednesday, March 9 (the 2nd day of the regular legislative session).

This is the bill that will tie all teacher pay to student test scores, even though the state still does not have a tested and proven evaluation system in place.

It will dramatically increase the number of FCAT-style tests, costing the state and local school districts hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars, without a way to pay for them.

It will label teachers, highly-effective, effective, needs improvement and unsatisfactory, but it doesn't not address remediation or any support for teachers who need assistance.

It prohibits local school boards from considering advanced degrees and special training when determining a teacher's salary.

And, it will subject all new teachers to be fired without explanation or just cause.

Tallahassee politicians tried to takeover our schools last year. Working together we stopped them. Now, we need to stand up against this repeat assault on Florida teachers and our schools.

Contact your legislator NOW, and tell them this bill is flawed. It needs to be fixed and funded!

We must get their attention. It is important to continue contacting your senator next week (February 28 - March 7) when they return home prior to the start of the Legislative session.

Email or call to make an appointment to meet with your senator face-to-face. Urge them to Stop the Attack on Florida Teachers!

If you don't know your senator's name or how to contact them, go to http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find. Fill in your address and city to locate your senator's name and contact information.



Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Subcommittee proposed changes to SB 736

On February 15, the Budget Subcommittee on Education prek-12 Appropriations vote 8 to 1 to submit  a committee substitute to SB 736. 

 


http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/0736/Amendment/248470/HTML

 



 

SB 736 and House PCB KCOS 11: Teacher Quality

Source: Florida Education Association 

Legislative Alert
February 2011 

 

Dear SELETA,

 

SB 736 and House PCB KCOS 11: Teacher Quality

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This Wednesday (February 23), Florida legislators in the House and Senate are voting on two anti-teacher education reform bills.

 

Teachers must show their opposition to proposed legislation that will increase student testing and eliminate due process if approved by the legislature.

 

Please join us this Wednesday at the State Capitol for the public hearings on Senate Bill 736 and its House version PCB KCOS 11.

 

The Senate Budget Committee hearing begins at 9 AM. The House hearing for the K20 Competitiveness Committee begins at 10:15 AM.   

 

If you can't make it to Tallahassee, please call or email your legislator and the members of both committees TODAY to express opposition to SB 736 and its House companion.  

 

Senate Budget Committee members Click the members tab.

House K20 Competitiveness Subcommittee members

If you prefer to call:

 

Erik Fresen, chair of the House Competitiveness committee (850) 488-4092, or 
JD Alexander, Chair of the Budget committee 
(850) 487-5044  

 

Click here to find your local legislator. Look for the   

 

Florida State Legislative Directory link on the lower right side of the page.

 

Anti-public education groups have started to mobilize in support of these flawed bills.  It is important that all teachers have a voice in the hearings.

 

Contact Information

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

phone: 850-201-2800 or toll-free 1-888-807-8007

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

More To Do, But Less Capacity To Do It

More To Do, But Less Capacity To Do It: States' Progress In Implementing the Recovery Act Education Reforms

Today, the Center on Education Policy released a report based on an October 2010 survey of state education officials, which discusses state education budgets, implementation of initiatives to support the four American Recovery and Reinvestment Act reform assurances, state education agency capacity, and Race to the Top. The full report, More To Do, But Less Capacity To Do It: States' Progress In Implementing the Recovery Act Education Reforms, is posted on CEP’s Web site (www.cep-dc.org) and can be downloaded free-of-charge.

http://www.cep-dc.org/cfcontent_file.cfm?Attachment=KoberRentner%5FFullReport%5FMoreToDoButLessCapacityToDoIt%5F021711%2Epdf

 

 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

FSCA Membership is Advocacy

Advocacy is a theme that runs throughout the vision, mission, work plan, and organizational structure of the Florida School Counselor Association.  For instance, the FSCA mission guides us in all that we do and continually reminds us of our purpose:

The Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA) expands the image and influence of professional school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change at the state level. FSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world.

The five FSCA goals also include advocacy throughout, both for students and for the profession, as a central theme:

Timely, relevant information exists that supports professional school counselors and student advocacy.

Legislative policy exists that supports professional school counselors and child advocacy.

Leaders at local and state levels champion and lead change initiatives.

The advocacy committee, one of a few standing FSCA committees (see http://www.fla-schoolcounselor.org/legislation.htm) continues to provide the leadership and platform that is clear in it’s purpose:

The goal of the FSCA advocacy platform is to address the needs of all students, to promote professional excellence for school counselors, and to advocate for closing the achievement gap between groups of students in our state.

This is no coincidence because advocacy is a core and central component for any professional association. You should know that the Florida School Counselor Association is uniquely positioned to advocate for school counselors in our state. First, FSCA is the only professional association/organization that has its sole focus on school counseling. It’s all we think about and it’s all we do. This acute focus has helped FSCA to stay on track to becoming a more effective and influential advocate in our state. It also turns out that being highly focused has resulted in FSCA being able to provide school counselors with more highly relevant and useful professional development, networking opportunities, information, resources, and tools.

Also, FSCA is unique in that we are the official division of the American School Counselor Association. Such an association with ASCA means that FSCA benefits from the combined strengths of both organizations. Over the years, FSCA has benefitted by attending the national Delegate Assembly, collaborated on the development of important position statements and documents affecting Florida school counselors, attended the national leadership development institute, attended national advocacy and public policy training, and received timely resources and guidance. This is important because when ASCA helps us do our job better, FSCA helps you do your job better.

However, FSCA cannot do it alone. We continue to seek out other organizations with common purpose in which to collaborate and partner. And of course, we need members to stand behind and stand up for each other and for the profession. One way to do this is to get the word out about the importance of advocacy and especially about membership. When you join FSCA, you provide the support and confidence we need to more strongly advocate in Tallahassee, among all the school districts, and among all our stake holders. You can advocate in a big way by recruiting just one more school counselor to become a FSCA member. The FSCA membership has grown over 100% per year over the last three years (almost at 1000 now) although we need even greater participation to help meet some very rigorous professional goals.

Another way to advocate is to use the resources and tools available on the FSCA web site to help advocate by writing, calling, and presenting to school Board Members and our law makers in both Florida and in Washington, D.C.

As president of the Florida School Counselor Association, I am very proud of our progress although not satisfied. Until every child can effectively participate in a comprehensive school counseling program, FSCA will not rest. We will continue to advocate and follow the important vision and mission, especially advocating for the difference we make in the lives of children. With your help, we can do this in an even bigger and better way.


Chris Smith, M.Ed..
President


Friday, February 11, 2011

FSCA Advocacy Alert

CEES
Bill Tracking List
February 7, 2011
HB 0033
Relating to Allocation and Expenditure of State Lottery Revenues
Clarke-Reed

Allocation and Expenditure of State Lottery Revenues: Requires portion of Powerball net revenues to be allocated to voluntary prekindergarten education programs; provides for use of funds. Effective Date: October 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee


HB 0061
Relating to Code of Student Conduct
Rogers

Code of Student Conduct: Requires each district school board code of student conduct to include explanation of student responsibilities with regard to appropriate student dress; requires each district school board to adopt dress code policy that prohibits student from wearing clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in specified manner; provides disciplinary actions for violation of dress code; requires adherence to code of student conduct for participation in extracurricular activities. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Innovation Subcommittee


Similar

Relating to Code Of Student Conduct (Siplin)





HB 0067
Relating to Career and Education Planning
Bullard (D)

Career and Education Planning: Revises general requirements for middle grades promotion to require that course in career & education planning explore National Career Clusters; deletes DOE requirement relating to course. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Innovation Subcommittee


Identical

Relating to Career and Education Planning (Smith (C))





HB 0069
Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools
Bullard (D)

Student Assessment in the Public Schools: Terminates administration of FCAT to students in grades 9 through 12; requires PSAT/NMSQT or ACT's EXPLORE & PLAN tests to replace grade 10 FCAT for purposes of measuring student's knowledge & skills; requires students to take PSAT/NMSQT in grade 10 or ACT's EXPLORE & PLAN tests in grades 9 & 10, respectively, & earn passing scores to qualify for standard high school diploma; requires State Board of Education to designate passing scores; requires use of student performance on tests for school grading purposes; provides for application beginning with students entering grade 9 in 2012-2013 school year. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Innovation Subcommittee


Compare

Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools (Campbell)





Relating to Student Assessment In Public Schools (Bullard (L))





HB 0071
Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools
Campbell

Student Assessment in the Public Schools: Provides that FCAT shall be discontinued & shall not be administered to public school students; requires High School Competency Test (HSCT) to replace grade 10 FCAT; requires student to earn passing scores on HSCT to qualify for standard high school diploma; requires State Board of Education to designate passing scores; provides for implementation beginning with 2013-2014 school year. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee


Compare

Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools (Bullard (D))





Relating to Student Assessment In Public Schools (Bullard (L))





HB 0075
Relating to Sexting
Abruzzo

Sexting: Provides that minor commits offense of sexting if he or she knowingly uses computer or other device to transmit or distribute photograph or video of himself or herself which depicts nudity & is harmful to minors, or knowingly possesses such photograph or video that was transmitted or distributed to minor from another minor; provides that transmission or distribution of multiple photographs or videos is single offense if such photographs & videos were transmitted or distributed in same 24-hour period; provides that possession of multiple photographs or videos that were transmitted or distributed by minor is single offense if such photographs & videos were transmitted or distributed by minor in same 24-hour period; provides that act does not prohibit prosecution of minor for conduct relating to material that includes depiction of sexual conduct or sexual excitement or for stalking. Effective Date: October 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Criminal Justice Subcommittee


SB 0092
Relating to Group Insurance for Public Employees
Gaetz (D)

Group Insurance for Public Employees; Requires that school districts procure certain types of insurance through interlocal agreements. Requires that each school district in this state enter into a specified type of interlocal agreement and establish the School District Insurance Consortium. Requires the consortium to advertise for competitive bids for health, accident, or hospitalization insurance, as well as certain insurance plans, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


SB 0108
Relating to Public K-12 Health Education
Ring

Public K-12 Health Education; Deletes the requirement that schools teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school-age students as part of instruction in human sexuality. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


HB 0109
Relating to Public School Buses
Nelson

Public School Buses: Provides for district school board policies that authorize commercial advertisements on school buses; provides policy requirements relating to reimbursement to school district, prohibited advertisements, & signage & equipment standards; requires school bus to be withdrawn from use under certain circumstances; provides indemnification from liability; provides for remittance & allocation of revenue. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Innovation Subcommittee


HB 0133
Relating to Children of Incarcerated Parents
Reed

Children of Incarcerated Parents: Provides legislative findings & purpose; provides guiding principles to be used by state agency personnel when dealing with children of incarcerated parents; provides for applicability. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Government Operations Subcommittee


Similar

Relating to Children of Incarcerated Parents (Joyner)





SB 0150
Relating to Career and Education Planning
Smith (C)

Career and Education Planning; Revises the general requirements for middle grades promotion to require that a course in career and education planning explore the National Career Clusters. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


Identical

Relating to Career and Education Planning (Bullard (D))





SB 0154
Relating to Juvenile Justice Education Programs
Bullard (L)

Juvenile Justice Education Programs; Requires that the Department of Education submit to the Legislature an annual report that includes student learning gains and student progression in juvenile justice education programs and details the methodology that the department uses to ensure that the student performance data is complete and reliable. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


HB 0213
Relating to Bullying of School Children
Bullard (D)

Bullying of School Children: Revises provisions relating to prohibited bullying or harassment with respect to computer-related incidents; redefines term "bullying" to include emotional hurt; revises components of school district policy on bullying & harassment; requires investigation of complaint of computer-related incident. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Innovation Subcommittee


Identical

Relating to Bullying of School Children (Bogdanoff)





SB 0228
Relating to Code Of Student Conduct
Siplin

Code of Student Conduct; Requires the district school board to include in the code of student conduct adopted by the board an explanation of the responsibilities of each student with regard to appropriate dress and respect for self and others and the role that appropriate dress and respect for self and others has on an orderly learning environment, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


Similar

Relating to Code of Student Conduct (Rogers )





HB 0245
Relating to Florida Kidcare Program
Logan

Florida Kidcare Program: Requires that application form for school breakfast & lunch programs also allow application for Kidcare program or provide information about applying for program; requires Florida Health Kids Corporation to include use of school breakfast & lunch application form in corporation's plan for publicizing program. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee


Identical

Relating to Florida Kidcare Program (Sobel)





HB 0255
Relating to Parental Involvement and Accountability in the Public Schools
Stargel

Parental Involvement and Accountability in the Public Schools: Specifies purpose to provide information & tools to parents of preK-12 students & to set standards for parental accountability; specifies causes for student underachievement; provides principles on which parental involvement is based & strategies to improve student achievement; requires shared information between teachers, schools, & parents; requires preK-3 teachers to assign parental involvement grade on student report cards; requires appeals process. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee


SB 0258
Relating to Student Assessment In Public Schools
Bullard (L)

Student Assessment in Public Schools; Terminates the administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to students in grades 9 through 12. Requires that the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) replace the grade 10 FCAT for purposes of measuring a student's knowledge and skills. Requires that students earn passing scores on the PSAT/NMSQT to qualify for a standard high school diploma. . Provides for application beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2012-2012 school year, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


Compare

Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools (Bullard (D))





Relating to Student Assessment in the Public Schools (Campbell)





HB 0289
Relating to Public School Student Participation in Fine Arts Courses
McBurney

Public School Student Participation in Fine Arts Courses: Revises basis for designation of school grades to include participation rates of students in K-12 who are enrolled in fine arts courses. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee


HB 0309
Relating to Education
Van Zant

Education: Authorizes district school boards to adopt resolutions that allow prayers of invocation or benediction at secondary school events. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee


Similar

Relating to Education (Siplin)





HB 0341
Relating to Public School Education
Stafford

Public School Education: Requires FCAT in reading for grade 3 students to be administered as diagnostic tool; provides that performance on grade 3 FCAT Reading must not be sole determining factor for retention of grade 3 students. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Similar

Relating to Public School Education (Bullard (L))





HB 0349
Relating to Physical Education in Public Schools
Kiar

Physical Education in Public Schools: Revise requirements for waiver of student participation in physical education; authorizes waiver through submission of doctor's note specifying health reasons for nonparticipation. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Physical Education In Public Schools (Sobel)





HB 0417
Relating to Public School Educational Instruction
Bileca

Public School Educational Instruction: Requires district school boards to designate one month of school year to celebrate Founding Fathers of United States of America & principles inherent in country's founding documents; specifies focus of instruction during designated month; provides that instruction may be integrated into existing school curriculum. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Public School Educational Instruction (Diaz de la Portilla)





HB 0419
Relating to Required Instruction in the Public Schools
Bileca

Required Instruction in the Public Schools: Revises curriculum of character-development program required in kindergarten through grade 12. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0424
Relating to Physical Education In Public Schools
Sobel

Physical Education In Public Schools; Revises the requirements for waiver of student participation in physical education. Authorizes a waiver through submission of a doctor's note specifying health reasons for nonparticipation. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


Identical

Relating to Physical Education in Public Schools (Kiar)





HB 0429
Relating to Health Education
Jones (M)

Health Education: Provides for mandatory one-half credit in health education, independent of physical education credit requirement, for high school students; provides waiver for students who request to take & successfully complete health education assessment developed by DOE; reduces number of credits in elective courses. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0448
Relating to Bullying of School Children
Bogdanoff

Bullying of School Children; Prohibits bullying or harassment of a student or school employee by use of any computer, computer system, or computer network that is physically located on school property, regardless of ownership. Requires that each school district include in its districtwide policy instruction to students, parents, teachers, school administrators, counseling staff, and school volunteers on how to recognize behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and how to take appropriate preventative action based on each of those individual's observations, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


Identical

Relating to Bullying of School Children (Bullard (D))





SB 0508
Relating to Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions
Bogdanoff

Tax on Sales, Use, and Other Transactions; Establishes an annual 3-day sales tax holiday within which sales taxes are not collected on certain clothing, computers, and school supplies. Provides for the adoption of rules. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


HB 0517
Relating to Firearms
Dorworth

Firearms: Provides that person in compliance with terms of concealed carry license may carry openly notwithstanding specified provisions; allows Division of Licensing of DACS to take fingerprints from concealed carry license applicants; limits prohibition on concealed carry licensees carrying concealed weapon or firearm into elementary or secondary school facilities to public elementary or secondary school facilities or administration buildings; deletes provisions relating to prohibitions on concealed carry into career centers & college or university facilities; provides that concealed carry licensees shall not be prohibited from carrying or storing firearm in vehicle for lawful purposes; provides that provision limiting scope of license to carry concealed weapon or firearm does not modify certain exceptions to prohibited acts with respect to person's right to keep & bear arms in motor vehicles; repeals provisions relating to purchase of rifles & shotguns in contiguous states; provides that specified provisions do not apply to certain firearms transactions by resident of this state that take place in another state; provides applicable law; provides that specified background check would be necessary for such transactions. Effective Date: upon becoming a law


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Compare

Relating to Firearms Purchases (Diaz)





Similar

Relating to Firearms (Evers)





HB 0519
Relating to Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
Jenne

Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program: Provides that prekindergarten instructors in school-year prekindergarten programs delivered by private providers & public schools must meet new professional credentialing requirements beginning July 1, 2014; deletes provisions relating to alternate educational credentials; repeals aspirational goals for professional credentials of prekindergarten instructors. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (Rich)





SB 0564
Relating to Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
Rich

Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; Provides that prekindergarten instructors in school-year prekindergarten programs delivered by private providers and public schools must meet new professional credentialing requirements beginning July 1, 2014. Deletes provisions relating to alternate educational credentials, to conform. Repeals provisions relating to aspirational goals for the professional credentials of prekindergarten instructors, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (Jenne)





HB 0565
Relating to Public School Funding
Weinstein

Public School Funding: Requires OPPAGA to conduct study to determine minimum per-student funding to meet constitutional requirements; requires report to Legislature. Effective Date: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0578
Relating to Disability Awareness
Ring

Disability Awareness; Requires district school boards to provide disability history and awareness instruction in all K-12 public schools during the first week in October. Requires certified individuals in disability awareness or teachers who specialize in exceptional student education to provide such instruction. Requires the Governor's Commission on Disabilities to initiate a study on training in disability awareness to be conducted by a private nonprofit entity. Requires the commission to promote such training in all public entities in the state. Requires the commission to adopt rules, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: upon becoming a law


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0588
Relating to Student Safety
Flores

Student Safety; Requires district school board policies that specify emergency procedures to identity the agency that is responsible for notifying the school district of an occurrence that threatens the safety of students. Requires the agency to notify private schools in the school district. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Student Safety (Kiar)





SB 0590
Relating to Public Employment Practices
Wise

Public Employment Practices; Prohibits a public employer from inquiring into or considering the criminal history record of an applicant for public employment until the applicant has been selected for an interview by the public employer. Provides that the restriction does not prohibit a public employer from notifying an applicant that a law or the employer’s policy may disqualify the applicant from employment in a particular position with the public employer, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Similar

Relating to Public Employment (Jones (M))





SB 0642
Relating to Public School Education
Bullard (L)

Public School Education; Requires the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) in reading for grade 3 students to be administered as a diagnostic tool. Provides that performance on grade 3 FCAT Reading must not be the sole determining factor for retention of grade 3 students. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Public School Education (Stafford)





SB 0700
Relating to Education
Siplin

Education; Authorizes district school boards to adopt resolutions that allow prayers of invocation or benediction at secondary school events. Provides legislative intent. Provides for severability. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Similar

Relating to Education (Van Zant)





SB 0724
Relating to Cellular Telephone Use
Bullard (L)

Cellular Telephone Use; Prohibits the use of a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone. Provides an enhanced penalty. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Compare

Relating to Use of Cellular Telephones (Rich)





SB 0730
Relating to Youth and Student Athletes
Flores

Youth and Student Athletes; Requires independent sanctioning authorities to adopt policies to inform youth athletes and their parents of the nature and risk of certain head injuries. Requires that a signed consent form be obtained before the youth participates in athletic practices or competitions. Requires that a youth athlete be immediately removed from an athletic activity following a suspected head injury. Requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt policies to inform student athletes and their parents of the nature and risk of certain head injuries, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Compare

Relating to Young Athletes (Renuart)





SB 0736
Relating to Education Personnel
Wise

Education Personnel; Cites this act as the "Race to the Top for Student Success Act." Revises provisions related to the evaluation of instructional personnel and school administrators. Requires that the Department of Education approve school district evaluation systems. Requires the Department of Education to collect evaluation information from school districts and to report such information to the Governor and Legislature. Provides requirements for the evaluation systems, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: upon becoming a law, except as otherwise provided


Current Committee of Reference: Education Pre-K - 12


SB 0758
Relating to Driver Improvement Schools And Education Programs For Driver's License Applicants
Sobel

Driver Improvement Schools and Education Programs ; Requires the curricula of driver improvement schools and education programs for driver's license applicants to include instruction on the risks associated with using a handheld electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0776
Relating to Public School Class Size Maximums
Diaz de la Portilla

Public School Class Size Maximums; Deletes provisions which impose financial penalties, and provide calculations therefor, on school districts that do not meet maximum class size requirements. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


SB 0788
Relating to Public School Educational Instruction
Diaz de la Portilla

Public School Educational Instruction; Requires district school boards to designate one month of the school year to celebrate the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and the principles inherent in the country's founding documents. Specifies the focus of instruction during the designated month. Provides that instruction may be integrated into the existing school curriculum. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2011


Current Committee of Reference: No Current Committee


Identical

Relating to Public School Educational Instruction (Bileca)