Florida Statutes:
Florida Administrative Rules:
June 27, 2013
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You can help advance school counseling in Florida right now (Yes, this summer). FSCA is now launching Year 3 of our three-year advocacy plan. In Year 1, FSCA hired a consultant to help us develop and deliver a proposed Bill that included provisions for (a) lowering ratios, (b) protecting appropriate counseling duties, (c) moving from "guidance counselor" to "school counselor," and (d) ensuring that all schools have at least one full time school counselor. The bill was did well in the Senate although not so well in the House. It was never heard. In year 2, a bit of language was changed to further the likelihood of the bill passing although all four areas of change from Year 1 stayed the same. FSCA worked to partner with other organizations, especially including parents, and increased it's communications with private school counselors as well as public school counselors. In year 2, FSCA also increased it's efforts in Tallahassee by meeting with several legislators and representatives from the Governor's office. The Bill received much greater attention and traction as it was referred to several different committees and was discussed/debated on both the House and Senate floors. Unfortunately, the bill was amended in a way that resulted in only one of the four goals -- changing our title to Certified School Counselor. Although FSCA was disappointed that more of the bill was not passed, we still consider this a success. Thousands of bills are introduced in the Florida legislature every year and only a relative handful are heard. Still fewer arrive on the Governor's desk. Although not as comprehensive as we would like, our bill (CS/CS/SB 1664) was approved by Governor Scott on 06/14/2013. Year 3 (NOW). FSCA continues to work diligently on a bill that would help school counselors do their work by having more reasonable ratios. How You can Help. The time is now to contact your Representatives and Senators and let them know that, as their elected officials, you expect them to look out for the new bill when it is introduced and that they should support it. Let them know about how important school counseling is to student success, graduation rates, school safety, and Florida's economic future. You can use this handout when you meet with them and also include these as talking points for emails and letters. Advocacy is very expensive. If you are currently a FSCA member, we thank you for your support, this work could not happen without you. However, we can do more. If you are receiving this and are not a current member, please enroll now. One hundred percent (100%) of member dues funds our mission and goals, a large part of which is advocacy. Click here to renew a membership or here to enroll as a new member. Also, we hope to see you at the 2013 Convention (see below) where we will have presentations about advocacy and, of course, much more. |
Updated FSCA Advocacy Platform. FSCA has just published its updated Advocacy platform, take a few minutes to have a look. |
FSCA started a new partnership and collaboration this year with FCAN (Florida College Access Network) to collect data and develop policies about helping kids become more college and career ready. The policy brief has just been published:Is Florida (College & Career) Ready? Putting Common Core in Context. Read this important policy brief from the Florida College Access Network. Here is an excerpt:Schools need added supports to help students be prepared for college and careers because their capacity to assist students with each component of college and career readiness can be limited. Within schools, the responsibility to coordinate college and career readiness activities (beyond instruction) for students lies with the school counselors. In Florida, these professionals are responsible for academic advising, career development, college counseling, financial aid counseling and much more.42 According to the Florida Department of Education handbook for school counselors, they “are a key resource for providing appropriate advice related to secondary courses selection and postsecondary planning.” The Education Trust and the College Board have also emerged since states began adopting Common Core to assert the importance school counselors have on efforts to improve students’ college and career readiness. |
2013 Annual Convention: The most focused program in school counseling in Florida, the 2013 FSCA Convention will be delivered by thoughtful leaders from Florida and throughout the United States. The hottest and most relevant topics will be explored by leading industry advocates, state officials, counselor educators and, most importantly, professional school counselors! |
Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Keep Floridians Safe
Dear Friends,
We made great progress this week in keeping Floridians safe on the road
and in their communities. As a father and grandfather, texting while
driving is a concern I share with many Floridians whose loved ones
travel the roads. The “Texting While Driving” bill that I signed into
law this week will encourage drivers to practice responsible driving
habits and keep our streets safe. In addition, I signed two bills that
will protect victims of human trafficking. These bills will support the
victims of this heartbreaking abuse as they set out on the journey of
recovery.
Also this week, we visited south Florida to highlight a plan to invest $880 million for supporting the restoration of the Everglades. This historic legislation begins a long-term commitment to protecting Florida’s most delicate natural treasure. I would like to thank all state, local and federal officials who played a role in passing these bills and improving the lives of Florida families.
Read the press releases:
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GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Today, Governor Rick Scott signed
the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott’s
letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
To view the full veto letter, click HERE.
Additionally, Governor Scott today signed 16 bills to implement the budget. For a list of the bills signed today, click HERE.
Dear Secretary Detzner:
By the authority vested in me as Governor of Florida, under the
provisions of Article III, Section 8, of the Constitution of Florida, I
do hereby withhold my approval of portions of Senate Bill 1500, enacted
during the 45th Session of the Legislature convened under the
Constitution of 1968, and entitled:
An act making appropriations; providing monies for the annual
period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014, to pay
salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other
improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies
of State government; providing an effective date.
We first recommended the Florida Families First budget for Fiscal
Year 2013-2014 to make strategic investments in support of continued
economic growth and job creation. This final budget, as passed by the
Florida Legislature and signed into law today, does in fact put Florida
Families First by investing in economic development initiatives and
making a record investment in our K-12 schools, including the $480
million we requested to give Florida teachers a well-deserved pay raise.
We made strategic investments in this budget, while holding the
line on spending that does not give Florida taxpayers a positive return
on investment. In order to ensure all taxpayer funds are well spent, I
have vetoed special legislative projects totaling $368 million.
Therefore, the Florida Families First budget now totals $74.1 billion.
The Florida Families First budget includes $1.2 billion in taxpayer
savings. This budget also reflects the smallest state government
workforce per 1,000 residents in Florida in this century. The Florida
Families First budget is one of our state’s smallest budgets this
century, when adjusted for population growth and inflation.
We are also holding the line on tuition by vetoing the
Legislature’s recommended 3 percent tuition increase on our college and
university students. Higher education is one of the best ways we can
prepare Floridians to get a great job. It is also one of the best ways
we can provide every family the opportunity to pursue their dreams,
regardless of where they start in life. I believe that I would not have
had the opportunity to start a business, or even serve this great state,
if I had not had the benefit of a higher education experience.
Therefore, I believe it is incumbent upon state leaders to ensure the
cost of higher education remains accessible to as many Floridians as
possible. Florida should be proud that we have one of the most
affordable high-quality college and university systems in the country –
now also offering $10,000 baccalaureate degree programs. Just as we are
proud to be one of only a few states without a state income tax, and one
of only a few states that have cut taxes and paid down state debt, even
in tough budget years, we should also be proud to keep tuition low in
Florida.
The Florida Families First budget is about helping the majority of
Florida families, most of which are making $50,000 or less a year,
struggling to make ends meet, and working hard to achieve their version
of the American dream. We know that investing in economic development
and our K-12 education system is working to create more jobs and
opportunity in our state. Our unemployment rate has now dropped to 7.2
percent – well below the national average, and we are already almost
half way to our 2010 goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years.
Other press releases:
Florida Families First Budget Includes Historic K-12 Education Funding: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Business Development and Job Growth: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Keeping Florida Families and Visitors Safe: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Supports Florida Seniors: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Makes Strategic Transportation Investments: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Priorities for Disability Community and Vulnerable Populations: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests to Protect Florida’s Natural Resources: click HERE
For Governor Scott’s 2013 Veto List: click HERE
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Advocacy Update |
Counselors--- SB 154 and HB 801 Last year, FSCA embarked on a three year plan to move Florida's Guidance Counselors into the 21st century. Here is our score card so far: Year One's plan was to create awareness of school counseling among legislators in Florida. Instead, our issues and goals resonated with a champion in each chamber and legislation was filed in both Senate and House to change our name, align assignments to training and student needs for access, and increase access by ensuring counselors in all schools with ratios closer to the national standard. The legislation was heard in at least one committee and had a highly positive reception. While we had hoped to file legislation in Year 2 with plans for hearings in later years, we capitalized on our momentum, improved our legislative goals, and filed our legislation again. This time, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, once again filed the Senate Bill in January and newly elected Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, filed the companion bill in February. By the end of April our efforts were rewarded by having our bills heard in committee and passed in a revised form. This is a major accomplishment when you consider that usually only about 10 percent of filed bills are passed each year. And that number may even be less this year. This bill represents a victory on the way to achieving our full legislative agenda for Florida's students. In this first phase we achieved our name change from Guidance Counselor to School Counselor. During the session, each of the bills were referenced to three legislative committees in their respective chambers. In these meetings, there were discussions about the fiscal impact of the proposed ratios (and they were thus removed) and discussions about whether assignments should remain in local control. After much discussion and strategizing, it was determined to defer job assignments and ratios to year three. This was validated by two things, first, the bills were heard in a combined six committees with much discussion on the value of certified school counselors, and the fact the bill needs to now move forward with looking at ratios. Legislators were actually raising the issue a need for ratios! The second is the emergence of a partnership with the PTA. They actually had a representative in the committee room, who on at least three occasions, filed a committee form to wave in support of our bill. They are interested in continuing to help us move this initiative forward next year. Year three (next year), capitalizing on this momentum, we need the membership of FSCA to set up meetings with their local legislators. As we prepare for our biggest effort next year, please go and talk to them, and explain what you do and what they can do to help you do a better job to support your school, the student and their families. Legislators will be back in their district offices over the summer and will have more time to spend talking to you. As you plan for next year, plan to go to Tallahassee with FSCA to meet with legislators. We believe that the ones who did found it to be enlightening and it sent a powerful message. Finally, during our “Day on the Hill", FSCA representatives and their advocate, Carole Green arranged an appointment in the Governor’s Office with two members of his staff. Along with discussing our legislation, they also discussed the Governor’s proposal for the across the board $2,500 pay increase for just classroom teachers. We believe these discussions and our awareness campaign contributed to ensuring that school counselors will now receive the same pay increase as other instructional employees. Thanks to Carole Green and our legislative champions this year, Sen. Detert, Dane Eagle and other who cosponsored and helped our efforts behind the scenes, get ready for action this summer and next year. Get active! |
SENATE -On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 04/23/13, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
SENATE -Now in Appropriations http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/154
S 154 (2013) Certified School Counselors SENATE -On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, 04/17/13, 8:30 am, 412 Knott Building http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/154
President Signs Appropriations Package
Including ESSCP for Fiscal Year 2013
The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), the only federal program dedicated to creating and expanding school counseling services in America's public schools, remains funded in FY13. Although the House of Representatives attempted to eliminate the program, the Senate and House ultimately agreed to fund ESSCP at approximately $49.665 million. The FY13 funding amount is a cut of more than 5 percent from FY12 levels due to the federal sequester that took place on March 1. The continued funding of ESSCP, despite numerous proposals to eliminate, is a testament to your grassroots efforts. Thank you to everyone who took time out of your busy day to make a phone call, send an e-mail or visit your elected official to discuss the important work school counselors are doing every day. The Senate stood behind this program, countering the House's request to eliminate the program and saving it from catastrophic cuts. ASCA will formally thank both the House and Senate for preserving this program for another year. What Happens Next? School districts that were awarded grants in either FY11 or FY12 will receive continued funding for 2013. Historically, a grant competition has not occurred in years ending in an odd number; instead, the next number of qualifying grants from the FY12 competition would be awarded. If, in fact, a FY13 grant competition does take place, ASCA will send out an alert to all members when the U.S. Department of Education releases the request for proposals and will also post the application process on the ASCA website, the ASCA SCENE, Twitter and Facebook pages. We Continue the Effort for FY14 ASCA has already initiated advocacy efforts for FY14 (which begins Oct. 1, 2013) funding. In addition to advocacy visits with congressional staff, ASCA member Kristen Sands from Jacksonville Heights Elementary School testified before the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee in an appropriations hearing on the importance of the ESSCP. Read her testimony here. For further information regarding ASCA's legislative affairs efforts contact Amanda Fitzgerald. Amanda Fitzgerald ASCA Director of Public Policy afitzgerald@schoolcounselor.org
phone: 703-683-ASCA
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March 13, 2013 The Florida School Counselor Association Day on the Hill was quite successful. The FSCA delegation was able to hold meetings with Senators Detert and Richter as well as Representatives Eagle, Hudson, Caldwell, Fitzenhagen, Roberson, and Rodrigues. The main focus of our meetings was to advance understanding and solicit support of the Student Failure Prevention Act which you can access online here. Remember, the bill addresses several actions:
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We Need Your Help Now! The time is now as our legislators are currently in session. Locate your Representatives and Senators and let them know that you support the bill as a school counselor and/or a constituent. The bill numbers are SB 154 and HB 801. You can use the various documents linked in this update (see below). NOTE: You should not use your school computer, fax machines, or email address when you correspond with your legislators. Use your personal computer and email address. |
Salary Increases The FSCA Day on the Hill also included a productive meeting with Governor Scotts Policy Analysts about including counselors in the proposed $2500 salary increase. We believe we made a very compelling and stern case for why this would be appropriate, fair, and equitable. FSCA has also partnered with the FASP and FASSW to write a joint letter which you can access here. |
Summary of Important Links |
Photos Check out a few photos of our meetings here. |