Bill Text: FL S7070 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: K-12 Education
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-10 - Chapter No. 2019-23 [S7070 Detail]
Download: Florida-2019-S7070-Introduced.html
Bill Title: K-12 Education
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-10 - Chapter No. 2019-23 [S7070 Detail]
Download: Florida-2019-S7070-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2019 SB 7070 By the Committee on Education 581-02756-19 20197070__ 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to K-12 education; amending s. 3 1002.333, F.S.; deleting the authorization for a 4 traditional public school to receive funds from the 5 Schools of Hope Program; deleting a requirement for 6 the State Board of Education to provide awards and 7 annually report certain information; creating s. 8 1002.394, F.S.; establishing the Family Empowerment 9 Scholarship Program; providing the purpose of the 10 program; providing scholarship eligibility 11 requirements; providing for the term of such 12 scholarships; prohibiting certain students from 13 scholarship eligibility; requiring school districts to 14 inform specified households within their respective 15 districts of their eligibility to receive a Family 16 Empowerment Scholarship; requiring the Department of 17 Education to provide the form to be used by school 18 districts for that purpose; requiring school districts 19 to notify certain students of specified information 20 relating to statewide assessments; requiring school 21 districts, upon the request of the department, to 22 provide statewide assessments and related materials to 23 certain private schools; providing requirements for 24 the administration of statewide assessments at certain 25 private schools; requiring school districts to publish 26 information relating to the scholarship program on 27 their respective websites; providing requirements for 28 the published information; requiring the department to 29 publish and update information relating to the program 30 on the department website; requiring the department to 31 cross-check specified information; providing 32 requirements for private school participation in the 33 program; providing requirements for participating 34 students and their parents; providing the maximum 35 number of students who may participate in the 36 scholarship program, beginning with a specified school 37 year; providing for subsequent increases in the 38 authorized number of participating students; providing 39 for the calculation of school district funding 40 entitlement under the program; requiring school 41 districts to report all students who attend a private 42 school under the program; providing that such students 43 must be reported separately for certain purposes; 44 requiring the department to transfer funds from the 45 General Revenue Fund to an account for the program; 46 requiring that program funds for students entering a 47 Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program be 48 transferred from the school district in which the 49 student last attended school before commitment; 50 providing that the department must receive specified 51 information relating to such students; requiring the 52 Chief Financial Officer to make scholarship payments 53 to the department; providing requirements for such 54 payments; requiring the department to request from the 55 Department of Financial Services a sample of certain 56 endorsed warrants for a specified purpose; providing 57 immunity of the state from liability; providing a 58 scope of authority with regard to the regulation of 59 private schools; authorizing the state board to adopt 60 rules; providing an implementation schedule for a 61 specified school year; providing additional 62 eligibility requirements; requiring the Department of 63 Education to expedite the publication of specified 64 information on the department’s website; providing a 65 deadline for a specified payment by the Chief 66 Financial Officer; providing for the expiration of 67 provisions related to a specified school year; 68 amending s. 1002.40, F.S.; authorizing certain funds 69 relating to the Hope Scholarship Program to be used to 70 fund the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, under 71 specified conditions; expanding the language required 72 to be included on the contribution election form 73 relating to the Hope Scholarship Program, as of a 74 specified date; creating part VII of ch. 1003, F.S., 75 entitled “Public School Innovation”; creating s. 76 1003.64, F.S.; providing legislative intent; creating 77 the Community School Grant Program within the 78 department; providing the purpose of the program; 79 defining terms; requiring community schools to 80 designate a community school program director; 81 providing duties of community school program 82 directors; establishing the Center for Community 83 Schools within the University of Central Florida; 84 requiring that the center be headed by a director; 85 providing the duties of the center director; requiring 86 community school program directors to annually submit 87 a report to the center by a specified date; providing 88 requirements for the report; requiring the center 89 director to annually submit, by a specified date, a 90 summary of such report and recommendations to the 91 Commissioner of Education; requiring the commissioner 92 to review the summary and recommendations; requiring 93 the commissioner to annually submit, by a specified 94 date, a report based on such summary and 95 recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature; 96 amending s. 1008.33, F.S.; authorizing a district 97 managed turnaround plan to include a proposal 98 regarding the length and number of planned school 99 days; making a technical change; amending s. 1011.62, 100 F.S.; creating the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher 101 and Principal Allocation; providing the purpose of the 102 allocation; requiring that, subject to the 103 appropriation of funds, each school district receive 104 an allocation based on its proportional share of 105 Florida Education Finance Program base funding; 106 authorizing the Legislature to specify a minimum 107 allocation; requiring school districts to provide 108 specified awards to eligible teachers and principals 109 from allocated funds; requiring school districts to 110 prorate awards under certain circumstances; creating 111 the turnaround school supplemental services 112 allocation; providing a purpose; providing for 113 services that may be funded by the allocation; 114 requiring a school district to submit a plan to its 115 school board before distribution of the allocation; 116 specifying requirements for such plans; requiring each 117 school district to annually submit approved plans to 118 the commissioner by a specified date; specifying the 119 basis for each school district’s funding allocation; 120 providing for a school’s continued eligibility for 121 funding; amending s. 1011.71, F.S.; conforming 122 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 123 1012.56, F.S.; deleting obsolete language; requiring 124 school districts to provide test support information 125 to individuals who do not meet passing scores on any 126 subtest of the general knowledge examination; deleting 127 the requirement that an individual who holds a 128 temporary certificate demonstrate mastery of general 129 knowledge within a specified timeframe; removing the 130 prohibition on employment for an individual who has 131 not met specified requirements; amending s. 1012.59, 132 F.S.; revising requirements for rulemaking by the 133 state board relating to certification fees; deleting a 134 requirement that an examination fee be sufficient to 135 cover the actual cost of developing and administering 136 the examination; amending s. 1012.731, F.S.; renaming 137 the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship 138 Program as the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher 139 Program; revising legislative intent relating to the 140 program; deleting authority for the Department of 141 Education to administer the program; specifying the 142 funding source for the program; providing for 143 recruitment, retention, and bonus awards; providing 144 eligibility requirements; deleting a requirement for 145 school districts to submit certain information to the 146 department; deleting a requirement for the department 147 to disburse scholarship funds to certain school 148 districts; deleting a requirement for school districts 149 to award specified scholarships; deleting a 150 definition; amending s. 1012.732, F.S.; renaming the 151 Florida Best and Brightest Principal Scholarship 152 Program as the Florida Best and Brightest Principal 153 Program; revising legislative intent relating to 154 program; deleting authority for the department to 155 administer the program; specifying the funding source 156 for the program; providing eligibility requirements; 157 deleting a requirement for the department to identify 158 eligible school principals and disburse funds; 159 deleting a requirement for school districts to award 160 scholarships to specified school principals; deleting 161 a requirement for school districts to provide certain 162 principals with additional authority and 163 responsibilities; deleting a definition; amending s. 164 1013.31, F.S.; authorizing a school district, in the 165 absence of a survey recommendation, to use funds from 166 a taxpayer-approved bond referendum to fund 167 construction of educational, auxiliary, or ancillary 168 facilities and to use funds from a specified district 169 school tax for certain capital outlay purposes; 170 authorizing the commissioner to direct specified 171 capital outlay funds to be withheld from school 172 districts until a specified time; amending s. 1013.64, 173 F.S.; prohibiting a district school board from using 174 funds from state sources for certain new construction 175 of educational plant space; providing exceptions; 176 requiring the department, in conjunction with the 177 Office of Economic and Demographic Research, to review 178 and revise the limits on the cost per student station, 179 based on certain factors; requiring the department to 180 use the adjusted cost per student station for a each 181 instructional level; requiring the department to 182 collaborate with the office to select a certain index 183 by a specified date; deleting a requirement for the 184 department to make final determinations on district 185 compliance; removing a prohibition on the use of funds 186 for certain new construction; revising the costs that 187 may not be included in calculating the cost per 188 student station; providing an effective date. 189 190 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 191 192 Section 1. Subsection (10) of section 1002.333, Florida 193 Statutes, is amended to read: 194 1002.333 Persistently low-performing schools.— 195 (10) SCHOOLS OF HOPE PROGRAM.—The Schools of Hope Program 196 is created within the Department of Education. 197 (a) A school of hope is eligible to receive funds from the 198 Schools of Hope Program for the following expenditures: 199 1. Preparing teachers, school leaders, and specialized 200 instructional support personnel, including costs associated 201 with: 202 a. Providing professional development. 203 b. Hiring and compensating teachers, school leaders, and 204 specialized instructional support personnel for services beyond 205 the school day and year. 206 2. Acquiring supplies, training, equipment, and educational 207 materials, including developing and acquiring instructional 208 materials. 209 3. Providing one-time startup costs associated with 210 providing transportation to students to and from the charter 211 school. 212 4. Carrying out community engagement activities, which may 213 include paying the cost of student and staff recruitment. 214 5. Providing funds to cover the nonvoted ad valorem millage 215 that would otherwise be required for schools and the required 216 local effort funds calculated pursuant to s. 1011.62 when the 217 state board enters into an agreement with a hope operator 218 pursuant to subsection (5). 219 (b)A traditional public school that is required to submit220a plan for implementation pursuant to s. 1008.33(4) is eligible221to receive up to $2,000 per full-time equivalent student from222the Schools of Hope Program based upon the strength of the223school’s plan for implementation and its focus on evidence-based224interventions that lead to student success by providing wrap225around services that leverage community assets, improve school226and community collaboration, and develop family and community227partnerships. Wrap-around services include, but are not limited228to, tutorial and after-school programs, student counseling,229nutrition education, parental counseling, and adult education.230Plans for implementation may also include models that develop a231culture of attending college, high academic expectations,232character development, dress codes, and an extended school day233and school year. At a minimum, a plan for implementation must:2341. Establish wrap-around services that develop family and235community partnerships.2362. Establish clearly defined and measurable high academic237and character standards.2383. Increase parental involvement and engagement in the239child’s education.2404. Describe how the school district will identify, recruit,241retain, and reward instructional personnel. The state board may242waive the requirements of s. 1012.22(1)(c)5., and suspend the243requirements of s. 1012.34, to facilitate implementation of the244plan.2455. Identify a knowledge-rich curriculum that the school246will use that focuses on developing a student’s background247knowledge.2486. Provide professional development that focuses on249academic rigor, direct instruction, and creating high academic250and character standards.251(c)The state board shall:2521. Provide awards for up to 25 schools and prioritize253awards for plans submitted pursuant to paragraph (b) that are254based on whole school transformation and that are developed in255consultation with the school’s principal.2562. Annually report on the implementation of this subsection257in the report required by s. 1008.345(5), and provide summarized258academic performance reports of each traditional public school259receiving funds.260(d)Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, 261 funds allocated for the purpose of this subsection which are not 262 disbursed by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are 263 allocated may be carried forward for up to 5 years after the 264 effective date of the original appropriation. 265 Section 2. Section 1002.394, Florida Statutes, is created 266 to read: 267 1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.— 268 (1) PURPOSE.—The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is 269 established to provide children of families in this state that 270 have limited financial resources with educational options to 271 achieve success in their education. 272 (2) SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—A student is eligible for a 273 Family Empowerment Scholarship under this section if the student 274 meets the following criteria: 275 (a)1. The student is on the direct certification list 276 pursuant to s. 1002.395(2)(c) or the student’s household income 277 level does not exceed 260 percent of the federal poverty level; 278 or 279 2. The student is currently placed, or during the previous 280 state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home 281 care as defined in s. 39.01. 282 283 A student who initially receives a scholarship based on 284 eligibility under subparagraph 2. remains eligible to 285 participate until the student graduates from high school or 286 attains the age of 21 years, whichever occurs first, regardless 287 of the student’s household income level. A sibling of a student 288 who is participating in the scholarship program under this 289 subsection is eligible for a scholarship if the student resides 290 in the same household as the sibling. 291 (b) The student is eligible to enroll in kindergarten or 292 has spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida 293 public school. For purposes of this paragraph, prior school year 294 in attendance means that the student was enrolled and reported 295 by a school district for funding during the preceding October 296 and February Florida Education Finance Program surveys in 297 kindergarten through grade 12, which includes time spent in a 298 Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program if funded 299 under the Florida Education Finance Program. 300 301 However, a dependent child of a member of the United States 302 Armed Forces who transfers to a school in this state from out of 303 state or from a foreign country due to a parent’s permanent 304 change of station orders or a foster child is exempt from the 305 prior public school attendance requirement under this paragraph, 306 but must meet the other eligibility requirements specified under 307 this section to participate in the program. 308 (c) The parent has obtained acceptance for admission of the 309 student to a private school that is eligible for the program 310 under subsection (7) and the parent has requested a scholarship 311 from the Department of Education at least 60 days before the 312 date of the first scholarship payment. The request must be 313 communicated directly to the department in a manner that creates 314 a written or electronic record of the request and the date of 315 receipt of the request. The department must notify the school 316 district of the parent’s intent upon receipt of the parent’s 317 request. 318 (3) TERM OF SCHOLARSHIP.— 319 (a) For purposes of continuity of educational choice, a 320 Family Empowerment Scholarship shall remain in force until the 321 student returns to a public school, graduates from high school, 322 or reaches the age of 21, whichever occurs first. A scholarship 323 student who enrolls in a public school or public school program 324 is considered to have returned to a public school for the 325 purpose of determining the end of the scholarship’s term. 326 However, if a student enters a Department of Juvenile Justice 327 detention center for a period of no more than 21 days, the 328 student is not considered to have returned to a public school 329 for that purpose. 330 (b) Upon reasonable notice to the department and the school 331 district, the student’s parent may remove the student from the 332 private school and place the student in a public school in 333 accordance with this section. 334 (c) Upon reasonable notice to the department, the student’s 335 parent may move the student from one participating private 336 school to another participating private school. 337 (4) SCHOLARSHIP PROHIBITIONS.—A student is not eligible for 338 a Family Empowerment Scholarship while he or she is: 339 (a) Enrolled in a public school, including, but not limited 340 to, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; the College 341 Preparatory Boarding Academy; a developmental research school 342 authorized under s. 1002.32; or a charter school authorized 343 under chapter 1002; 344 (b) Enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of 345 providing educational services to youth in a Department of 346 Juvenile Justice commitment program; 347 (c) Receiving any other educational scholarship pursuant to 348 this chapter; 349 (d) Participating in a home education program as defined in 350 s. 1002.01(1); 351 (e) Participating in a private tutoring program pursuant to 352 s. 1002.43; or 353 (f) Participating in a virtual school, correspondence 354 school, or distance learning program that receives state funding 355 pursuant to the student’s participation. 356 (5) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.— 357 (a) By July 15, 2019, and by April 1 of each year 358 thereafter, a school district shall inform all households within 359 the district receiving free or reduced-priced meals under the 360 National School Lunch Act of their eligibility to apply to the 361 department for a Family Empowerment Scholarship. The form of 362 such notice shall be provided by the department, and the school 363 district shall include the provided form in any normal 364 correspondence with eligible households. Such notice is limited 365 to once a year. 366 (b) The school district in which a participating student 367 resides must notify the student and his or her parent about the 368 locations and times to take all statewide assessments under s. 369 1008.22 if the student chooses to participate in such 370 assessments. Upon the request of the department, a school 371 district shall coordinate with the department to provide to a 372 participating private school the statewide assessments 373 administered under s. 1008.22 and any related materials for 374 administering the assessments. For a student who participates in 375 the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program whose parent requests 376 that the student take the statewide assessments under s. 377 1008.22, the district in which the student attends a private 378 school shall provide locations and times to take all statewide 379 assessments. A school district is responsible for implementing 380 test administrations at a participating private school, 381 including the: 382 1. Provision of training for private school staff on test 383 security and assessment administration procedures; 384 2. Distribution of testing materials to a private school; 385 3. Retrieval of testing materials from a private school; 386 4. Provision of the required format for a private school to 387 submit information to the district for test administration and 388 enrollment purposes; and 389 5. Provision of any required assistance, monitoring, or 390 investigation at a private school. 391 (c) Each school district must publish information about the 392 Family Empowerment Scholarship Program on the district’s website 393 homepage. At a minimum, the published information must include a 394 website link to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program 395 published on the Department of Education website as well as a 396 telephone number and e-mail that students and parents may use to 397 contact relevant personnel in the school district to obtain 398 information about the scholarship. 399 (6) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OBLIGATIONS.—The department 400 shall: 401 (a) Publish and update, as necessary, information on the 402 department website about the Family Empowerment Scholarship 403 Program, including, but not limited to, student eligibility 404 criteria, parental responsibilities, and relevant data. 405 (b) Cross-check the list of participating scholarship 406 students with the public school enrollment lists before each 407 scholarship payment to avoid duplication. 408 (7) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—To be 409 eligible to participate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship 410 Program, a private school may be sectarian or nonsectarian and 411 must: 412 (a) Comply with all requirements for private schools 413 participating in state school choice scholarship programs 414 pursuant to s. 1002.421. 415 (b) Provide to the department all documentation required 416 for a student’s participation, including the private school’s 417 and student’s fee schedules, at least 30 days before any 418 quarterly scholarship payment is made for the student pursuant 419 to paragraph (9)(f). A student is not eligible to receive a 420 quarterly scholarship payment if the private school fails to 421 meet this deadline. 422 (c)1. Annually administer or make provision for students 423 participating in the program in grades 3 through 10 to take one 424 of the nationally norm-referenced tests identified by the 425 department or to take the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 426 1008.22. Students with disabilities for whom standardized 427 testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. A 428 participating private school shall report a student’s scores to 429 his or her parent. 430 2. Administer the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 431 1008.22 if the private school chooses to offer the statewide 432 assessments. A participating private school may choose to offer 433 and administer the statewide assessments to all students who 434 attend the private school in grades 3 through 10 and must submit 435 a request in writing to the department by March 1 of each year 436 in order to administer the statewide assessments in the 437 subsequent school year. 438 439 If a private school fails to meet the requirements of this 440 subsection or s. 1002.421, the commissioner may determine that 441 the private school is ineligible to participate in the 442 scholarship program. 443 (8) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROGRAM 444 PARTICIPATION.—A parent who applies for a Family Empowerment 445 Scholarship is exercising his or her parental option to place 446 his or her child in a private school. 447 (a) The parent must select the private school and apply for 448 the admission of his or her student. 449 (b) The parent must request the scholarship at least 60 450 days before the date of the first scholarship payment. 451 (c) The parent must inform the applicable school district 452 when the parent withdraws his or her student from a public 453 school to attend an eligible private school. 454 (d) Any student participating in the program must remain in 455 attendance throughout the school year unless excused by the 456 school for illness or other good cause. 457 (e) Each parent and each student has an obligation to the 458 private school to comply with the private school’s published 459 policies. 460 (f) The parent shall ensure that the student participating 461 in the scholarship program takes the norm-referenced assessment 462 offered by the private school. The parent may also choose to 463 have the student participate in the statewide assessments 464 pursuant to paragraph (5)(b). 465 (g) If the parent requests that the student participating 466 in the program take all statewide assessments required pursuant 467 to s. 1008.22, the parent is responsible for transporting the 468 student to the assessment site designated by the school 469 district. 470 (h) Upon receipt of a scholarship warrant, the parent to 471 whom the warrant is issued must restrictively endorse the 472 warrant to the private school for deposit into the private 473 school’s account. The parent may not designate any entity or 474 individual associated with the participating private school as 475 the parent’s attorney in fact to endorse a scholarship warrant. 476 A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph forfeits 477 the scholarship. 478 (9) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING AND PAYMENT.— 479 (a) The scholarship is established for up to 15,000 480 students annually on a first-come, first-served basis beginning 481 with the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning in the 2020-2021 482 school year, the number of students participating in the 483 scholarship program under this section may increase in 484 accordance with the percentage increase in the state’s public 485 school student enrollment. 486 (b) The scholarship amount provided to a student for any 487 single school year shall be for tuition and fees for an eligible 488 private school, not to exceed annual limits, which shall be 489 determined in accordance with this paragraph. The calculated 490 amount for a student to attend an eligible private school shall 491 be 95 percent of the unweighted FTE funding amount at the 492 district level for that state fiscal year and shall be adjusted 493 with each FEFP calculation through the calculation based on the 494 October survey. 495 (c) The amount of the Family Empowerment Scholarship shall 496 be the calculated amount or the amount of the private school’s 497 tuition and fees, whichever is less. The amount of any 498 assessment fee required by the participating private school may 499 be paid from the total amount of the scholarship. 500 (d) The school district shall report all students who are 501 attending a private school under this program. The students 502 attending private schools on Family Empowerment Scholarships 503 shall be reported separately from other students reported for 504 purposes of the Florida Education Finance Program. 505 (e) Following notification on July 1, September 1, December 506 1, or February 1 of the number of program participants, the 507 department shall transfer, from general revenue funds only, the 508 amount calculated under paragraph (c) from the school district’s 509 total funding entitlement under the Florida Education Finance 510 Program to a separate account for the scholarship program for 511 quarterly disbursement to parents of participating students. For 512 a student exiting a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment 513 program who chooses to participate in the scholarship program, 514 the amount of the Family Empowerment Scholarship calculated 515 pursuant to paragraph (c) must be transferred from the school 516 district in which the student last attended a public school 517 before commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice. When a 518 student enters the scholarship program, the department must 519 receive all documentation required for the student’s 520 participation, including the private school’s and the student’s 521 fee schedules, at least 30 days before the first quarterly 522 scholarship payment is made for the student. 523 (f) Upon notification by the department that it has 524 received the documentation required under paragraph (e), the 525 Chief Financial Officer shall make scholarship payments in four 526 equal amounts no later than September 1, November 1, February 1, 527 and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in 528 force. The initial payment shall be made after department 529 verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments 530 shall be made upon verification of continued enrollment and 531 attendance at the private school. Payment must be by individual 532 warrant made payable to the student’s parent and mailed by the 533 department to the private school of the parent’s choice, and the 534 parent shall restrictively endorse the warrant to the private 535 school for deposit into the account of the private school. 536 (g) Subsequent to each scholarship payment, the department 537 shall request from the Department of Financial Services a sample 538 of endorsed warrants to review and confirm compliance with 539 endorsement requirements. 540 (10) LIABILITY.—No liability shall arise on the part of the 541 state based on the award or use of a Family Empowerment 542 Scholarship. 543 (11) SCOPE OF AUTHORITY.—The inclusion of eligible private 544 schools within the options available to Florida public school 545 students does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, 546 its officers, or any school district to impose any additional 547 regulation of private schools beyond those reasonably necessary 548 to enforce requirements expressly set forth in this section. 549 (12) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules 550 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this 551 section. 552 (13) IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL 553 YEAR.—Notwithstanding the provisions of this section related to 554 notification requirements and eligibility timelines, for the 555 2019-2020 school year: 556 (a) A student is eligible for a Family Empowerment 557 Scholarship under this section if the student’s parent has 558 obtained acceptance of the student’s admission to a private 559 school that is eligible for the program under subsection (7) and 560 the parent has requested a scholarship from the Department of 561 Education no later than August 15, 2019. The request must be 562 communicated directly to the department in a manner that creates 563 a written or electronic record of the request and the date of 564 receipt of the request. 565 (b) The department shall expedite the publication of 566 information relevant to the Family Empowerment Scholarship 567 Program on the department’s website, including, but not limited 568 to, the eligibility criteria for students to qualify for the 569 scholarship under this section and how parents may request the 570 scholarship. The department must immediately notify the school 571 district of the parent’s intent upon receipt of the parent’s 572 request. 573 (c) Upon notification by the department that it has 574 received the documentation required under paragraph (9)(e), the 575 Chief Financial Officer shall make the first quarter payment of 576 scholarships no later than October 1, 2019. 577 578 This subsection shall expire June 30, 2020. 579 Section 3. Paragraph (i) is added to subsection (11) of 580 section 1002.40, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (a) of 581 subsection (13) of that section is amended, to read: 582 1002.40 The Hope Scholarship Program.— 583 (11) FUNDING AND PAYMENT.— 584 (i)1. Beginning in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, up to 50 585 percent of available prior fiscal year contributions received by 586 a scholarship-funding organization under s. 212.1832 which have 587 not been allocated for a scholarship under this section may be 588 used to fund the program established under s. 1002.395. 589 2. The available prior year contributions may be used to 590 fund scholarships for students eligible pursuant to s. 591 1002.395(3)(b)1. or 2. if the eligible contributions received 592 for that program in a state fiscal year are insufficient to fund 593 the students eligible for that program. 594 3. The eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization 595 shall separately account for each eligible student who receives 596 the scholarship under s. 1002.395, which is funded pursuant to 597 this paragraph and s. 1002.395. 598 (13) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING TAX CREDITS.— 599 (a) A tax credit is available under s. 212.1832(1) for use 600 by a person that makes an eligible contribution. Each eligible 601 contribution is limited to a single payment of $105 per motor 602 vehicle purchased at the time of purchase of a motor vehicle or 603 a single payment of $105 per motor vehicle purchased at the time 604 of registration of a motor vehicle that was not purchased from a 605 dealer, except that a contribution may not exceed the state tax 606 imposed under chapter 212 that would otherwise be collected from 607 the purchaser by a dealer, designated agent, or private tag 608 agent. Payments of contributions shall be made to a dealer at 609 the time of purchase of a motor vehicle or to a designated agent 610 or private tag agent at the time of registration of a motor 611 vehicle that was not purchased from a dealer. An eligible 612 contribution shall be accompanied by a contribution election 613 form provided by the Department of Revenue. The form shall 614 include, at a minimum, the following brief description of the 615 Hope Scholarship Program: “THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES 616 A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS SUBJECTED TO AN INCIDENT OF 617 VIOLENCE OR BULLYING AT SCHOOL THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR A 618 SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND AN ELIGIBLE PRIVATE SCHOOL RATHER THAN 619 REMAIN IN AN UNSAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.” No later than July 1, 620 2019, the form shall also include the following statement: “IN 621 THE EVENT THAT THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS SURPLUS 622 CONTRIBUTIONS AFTER FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL ELIGIBLE 623 STUDENTS, THE SURPLUS CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE USED FOR FLORIDA TAX 624 CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS.” The form shall also include, at a minimum, 625 a section allowing the consumer to designate, from all 626 participating scholarship funding organizations, which 627 organization will receive his or her donation. For purposes of 628 this subsection, the term “purchase” does not include the lease 629 or rental of a motor vehicle. 630 Section 4. Part VII of chapter 1003, Florida Statutes, 631 consisting of s. 1003.64, Florida Statutes, is created and 632 entitled “Public School Innovation.” 633 1003.64 Community School Grant Program.—It is the intent of 634 the Legislature to improve student success and well-being by 635 engaging and supporting parents and community organizations in 636 their efforts to positively impact student learning and 637 development. 638 (1) PURPOSE.—The Community School Grant Program is 639 established within the Department of Education to fund and 640 support the planning and implementation of community school 641 programs, subject to legislative appropriation. 642 (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 643 (a) “Center for Community Schools” means the center 644 established within the University of Central Florida. 645 (b) “Community organization” means a nonprofit organization 646 that has been in existence for at least 3 years and serves 647 individuals within the county in which a community school is 648 located. 649 (3) COMMUNITY SCHOOL.— 650 (a) A community school is a public school that receives a 651 grant under this section and partners with a community 652 organization, a university or college, and a health care 653 provider to implement programs beyond the standard hours of 654 instruction which may include, but are not limited to, student 655 enrichment activities such as job training, internship 656 opportunities, and career counseling services; wellness 657 services; and family engagement programs. 658 (b) Each community school must designate a person of its 659 choosing as the community school program director. A community 660 school program director shall coordinate with the partners 661 specified under paragraph (a) to: 662 1. Facilitate the implementation of a community school 663 program. 664 2. Comply with the reporting requirements under paragraph 665 (5)(a). 666 (4) CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.—The Center for Community 667 Schools is established within the University of Central Florida. 668 A center director shall head the Center for Community Schools. 669 At a minimum, the center director shall: 670 (a) Disseminate information about community schools to 671 community organizations; district school boards; state 672 universities and Florida College System institutions; and 673 independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities located 674 and chartered in this state which are accredited by the 675 Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges 676 and Schools and are eligible to participate in the William L. 677 Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program. 678 (b) Coordinate, facilitate, and oversee the implementation 679 of community schools that receive a grant under this section, 680 and submit an annual report to the commissioner pursuant to 681 paragraph (5)(b). 682 (c) Publish on the center’s website the application form 683 for: 684 1. Implementing a community school program. 685 2. Certification by the center as a community school. 686 (d) Publish on the center’s website the process and 687 criteria for: 688 1. Approving the application for implementing a community 689 school program under subparagraph (c)1. 690 2. Awarding the certification under subparagraph (c)2. 691 (e) Establish a process to administer grant funds awarded 692 under this section. 693 (f) Promote best practices and provide technical assistance 694 about community schools to community school program directors. 695 (5) REPORTS.— 696 (a) By July 1 of each year, each community school program 697 director shall submit to the center a report that includes, at a 698 minimum, the following information: 699 1. An assessment of the effectiveness of the community 700 school program in improving student success outcomes; 701 2. Any issues encountered in the design and execution of 702 the community school program; 703 3. Recommendations for improving the delivery of services 704 to students, families, and community members under the program; 705 4. The number of students, families, and community members 706 served under the program; and 707 5. Any other information requested by the center director. 708 (b) The center director shall review the reports submitted 709 under paragraph (a) and, by August 15 of each year, shall 710 provide to the commissioner: 711 1. A summary of the information reported by each community 712 school that receives a grant under this section; and 713 2. Recommendations for policy and funding investments to 714 improve the implementation and oversight of community school 715 programs and to remove any barriers to the expansion of 716 community schools. 717 (c) The commissioner shall review the summary and 718 recommendations submitted by the center director under paragraph 719 (b) and, by September 30 of each year, shall submit a report to 720 the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of 721 the House of Representatives. The annual report submitted by the 722 commissioner must, at a minimum, include information on the 723 status of community schools and his or her recommendations for 724 policy and funding investments to improve and expand community 725 schools. 726 Section 5. Subsection (4) of section 1008.33, Florida 727 Statutes, is amended to read: 728 1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.— 729 (4)(a) The state board shall apply intensive intervention 730 and support strategies tailored to the needs of schools earning 731 two consecutive grades of “D” or a grade of “F.” In the first 732 full school year after a school initially earns two consecutive 733 grades of “D” or a grade of “F,” the school district must 734 immediately implement intervention and support strategies 735 prescribed in rule under paragraph (3)(c) and, by September 1, 736 provide the department with the memorandum of understanding 737 negotiated pursuant to s. 1001.42(21) and, by October 1, a 738 district-managed turnaround plan for approval by the state 739 board. The district-managed turnaround plan may include a 740 proposal for the district to implement an extended school day, a 741 summer program, or a combination of an extended school day and a 742 summer program. Upon approval by the state board, the school 743 district must implement the plan for the remainder of the school 744 year and continue the plan for 1 full school year. The state 745 board may allow a school an additional year of implementation 746 before the school must implement a turnaround option required 747 under paragraph (b) if it determines that the school is likely 748 to improve to a grade of “C” or higher after the first full 749 school year of implementation. 750 (b) Unless an additional year of implementation is provided 751 pursuant to paragraph (a), a school that earns three consecutive 752 grades below a “C” must implement one of the following: 753 1. Reassign students to another school and monitor the 754 progress of each reassigned student; 755 2. Close the school and reopen the school as one or more 756 charter schools, each with a governing board that has a 757 demonstrated record of effectiveness; or 758 3. Contract with an outside entity that has a demonstrated 759 record of effectiveness to operate the school. An outside entity 760 may include a district-managed charter school in which all 761 instructional personnel are not employees of the school 762 district, but are employees of an independent governing board 763 composed of members who did not participate in the review or 764 approval of the charter. 765 (c) Implementation of the turnaround option is no longer 766 required if the school improves to a grade of “C” or higher. 767 (d) If a school earning two consecutive grades of “D” or a 768 grade of “F” does not improve to a grade of “C” or higher after 769 2fullschool years of implementing the turnaround option 770 selected by the school district under paragraph (b), the school 771 district must implement another turnaround option. 772 Implementation of the turnaround option must begin the school 773 year following the implementation period of the existing 774 turnaround option, unless the state board determines that the 775 school is likely to improve to a grade of “C” or higher if 776 additional time is provided to implement the existing turnaround 777 option. 778 Section 6. Present subsections (18) and (19) of section 779 1011.62, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (19) 780 and (20), respectively, a new subsection (18) and subsection 781 (21) are added to that section, and paragraph (a) of subsection 782 (4) and subsection (14) of that section are amended, to read: 783 1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual 784 allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each 785 district for operation of schools is not determined in the 786 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing 787 the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as 788 follows: 789 (4) COMPUTATION OF DISTRICT REQUIRED LOCAL EFFORT.—The 790 Legislature shall prescribe the aggregate required local effort 791 for all school districts collectively as an item in the General 792 Appropriations Act for each fiscal year. The amount that each 793 district shall provide annually toward the cost of the Florida 794 Education Finance Program for kindergarten through grade 12 795 programs shall be calculated as follows: 796 (a) Estimated taxable value calculations.— 797 1.a. Not later than 2 working days before July 19, the 798 Department of Revenue shall certify to the Commissioner of 799 Education its most recent estimate of the taxable value for 800 school purposes in each school district and the total for all 801 school districts in the state for the current calendar year 802 based on the latest available data obtained from the local 803 property appraisers. The value certified shall be the taxable 804 value for school purposes for that year, and no further 805 adjustments shall be made, except those made pursuant to 806 paragraphs (c) and (d), or an assessment roll change required by 807 final judicial decisions as specified in paragraph (19)(b) 808(18)(b). Not later than July 19, the Commissioner of Education 809 shall compute a millage rate, rounded to the next highest one 810 one-thousandth of a mill, which, when applied to 96 percent of 811 the estimated state total taxable value for school purposes, 812 would generate the prescribed aggregate required local effort 813 for that year for all districts. The Commissioner of Education 814 shall certify to each district school board the millage rate, 815 computed as prescribed in this subparagraph, as the minimum 816 millage rate necessary to provide the district required local 817 effort for that year. 818 b. The General Appropriations Act shall direct the 819 computation of the statewide adjusted aggregate amount for 820 required local effort for all school districts collectively from 821 ad valorem taxes to ensure that no school district’s revenue 822 from required local effort millage will produce more than 90 823 percent of the district’s total Florida Education Finance 824 Program calculation as calculated and adopted by the 825 Legislature, and the adjustment of the required local effort 826 millage rate of each district that produces more than 90 percent 827 of its total Florida Education Finance Program entitlement to a 828 level that will produce only 90 percent of its total Florida 829 Education Finance Program entitlement in the July calculation. 830 2. On the same date as the certification in sub 831 subparagraph 1.a., the Department of Revenue shall certify to 832 the Commissioner of Education for each district: 833 a. Each year for which the property appraiser has certified 834 the taxable value pursuant to s. 193.122(2) or (3), if 835 applicable, since the prior certification under sub-subparagraph 836 1.a. 837 b. For each year identified in sub-subparagraph a., the 838 taxable value certified by the appraiser pursuant to s. 839 193.122(2) or (3), if applicable, since the prior certification 840 under sub-subparagraph 1.a. This is the certification that 841 reflects all final administrative actions of the value 842 adjustment board. 843 (14) QUALITY ASSURANCE GUARANTEE.—The Legislature may 844 annually in the General Appropriations Act determine a 845 percentage increase in funds per K-12 unweighted FTE as a 846 minimum guarantee to each school district. The guarantee shall 847 be calculated from prior year base funding per unweighted FTE 848 student which shall include the adjusted FTE dollars as provided 849 in subsection (19)(18), quality guarantee funds, and actual 850 nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. From the base 851 funding per unweighted FTE, the increase shall be calculated for 852 the current year. The current year funds from which the 853 guarantee shall be determined shall include the adjusted FTE 854 dollars as provided in subsection (19)(18)and potential 855 nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. A comparison of 856 current year funds per unweighted FTE to prior year funds per 857 unweighted FTE shall be computed. For those school districts 858 which have less than the legislatively assigned percentage 859 increase, funds shall be provided to guarantee the assigned 860 percentage increase in funds per unweighted FTE student. Should 861 appropriated funds be less than the sum of this calculated 862 amount for all districts, the commissioner shall prorate each 863 district’s allocation. This provision shall be implemented to 864 the extent specifically funded. 865 (18) THE FLORIDA BEST AND BRIGHTEST TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL 866 ALLOCATION.— 867 (a) The Florida Best and Brightest Teacher and Principal 868 Allocation is created to recruit, retain, and recognize 869 classroom teachers who meet the criteria established in s. 870 1012.731 and reward principals who meet the criteria established 871 in s. 1012.732. Subject to annual appropriation, each school 872 district shall receive an allocation based on the district’s 873 proportionate share of FEFP base funding. The Legislature may 874 specify a minimum allocation for all districts in the General 875 Appropriations Act. 876 (b) From the allocation, each district shall provide the 877 following for eligible classroom teachers: 878 1. A one-time recruitment award, as provided in s. 879 1012.731(3)(a); 880 2. A retention award, as provided in s. 1012.731(3)(b); and 881 3. A recognition award, as provided in s. 1012.731(3)(c) 882 from the remaining balance of the appropriation after the 883 payment of all other awards authorized under ss. 1012.731 and 884 1012.732. 885 (c) From the allocation, each district shall provide 886 eligible principals an award as provided in s. 1012.732(3). 887 888 If a district’s calculated awards exceed the allocation, the 889 district may prorate the awards. 890 (21) TURNAROUND SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES ALLOCATION. 891 The turnaround school supplemental services allocation is 892 created to provide district-managed turnaround schools, as 893 identified in s. 1008.33(4)(a), schools that earn three 894 consecutive grades below a “C”, as identified in s. 895 1008.33(4)(b)3., and schools that have improved to a “C” and are 896 no longer in turnaround status, as identified in s. 897 1008.33(4)(c), with funds to offer services designed to improve 898 the overall academic and community welfare of the schools’ 899 students and their families. 900 (a) Services funded by the allocation may include, but are 901 not limited to, tutorial and after-school programs, student 902 counseling, nutrition education, parental counseling, and an 903 extended school day and school year. In addition, services may 904 include models that develop a culture that encourages students 905 to complete high school and to attend college or career 906 training, set high academic expectations, and inspire character 907 development. 908 (b) Before distribution of the allocation, the school 909 district shall develop and submit a plan for implementation to 910 its school board for approval no later than August 1 of each 911 fiscal year. 912 (c) At a minimum, the plans required under paragraph (b) 913 must: 914 1. Establish comprehensive support services that develop 915 family and community partnerships; 916 2. Establish clearly defined and measurable high academic 917 and character standards; 918 3. Increase parental involvement and engagement in the 919 child’s education; 920 4. Describe how instructional personnel will be identified, 921 recruited, retained, and rewarded; 922 5. Provide professional development that focuses on 923 academic rigor, direct instruction, and creating high academic 924 and character standards; 925 6. Provide focused instruction to improve student academic 926 proficiency, which may include additional instruction time 927 beyond the normal school day or school year; and 928 7. Include a strategy for continuing to provide services 929 after the school is no longer in turnaround status by virtue of 930 achieving a grade of “C” or higher. 931 (d) Each school district shall submit its approved plans to 932 the commissioner by September 1 of each fiscal year. 933 (e) Subject to legislative appropriation, each school 934 district’s allocation must be based on the unweighted FTE 935 student enrollment at the eligible schools and a per-FTE funding 936 amount of $500 or as provided in the General Appropriations Act. 937 The supplement provided in the General Appropriations Act shall 938 be based on the most recent school grades and shall serve as a 939 proxy for the official calculation. Once school grades are 940 available for the school year immediately preceding the fiscal 941 year coinciding with the appropriation, the supplement shall be 942 recalculated for the official participating schools as part of 943 the subsequent FEFP calculation. The commissioner may prepare a 944 preliminary calculation so that districts may proceed with 945 timely planning and use of the funds. If the calculated funds 946 for the statewide allocation exceed the funds appropriated, the 947 allocation of funds to each school district must be prorated 948 based on each school district’s share of the total unweighted 949 FTE student enrollment for the eligible schools. 950 (f) Subject to legislative appropriation, each school shall 951 remain eligible for the allocation for a maximum of 4 continuous 952 fiscal years while implementing a turnaround option pursuant to 953 s. 1008.33(4). In addition, a school that improves to a grade of 954 “C” or higher shall remain eligible to receive the allocation 955 for a maximum of 2 continuous fiscal years after exiting 956 turnaround status. 957 Section 7. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of subsection 958 (2) of section 1011.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 959 1011.71 District school tax.— 960 (1) If the district school tax is not provided in the 961 General Appropriations Act or the substantive bill implementing 962 the General Appropriations Act, each district school board 963 desiring to participate in the state allocation of funds for 964 current operation as prescribed by s. 1011.62(19)s. 1011.62(18)965 shall levy on the taxable value for school purposes of the 966 district, exclusive of millage voted under s. 9(b) or s. 12, 967 Art. VII of the State Constitution, a millage rate not to exceed 968 the amount certified by the commissioner as the minimum millage 969 rate necessary to provide the district required local effort for 970 the current year, pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1. In addition to 971 the required local effort millage levy, each district school 972 board may levy a nonvoted current operating discretionary 973 millage. The Legislature shall prescribe annually in the 974 appropriations act the maximum amount of millage a district may 975 levy. 976 (2) In addition to the maximum millage levy as provided in 977 subsection (1), each school board may levy not more than 1.5 978 mills against the taxable value for school purposes for charter 979 schools pursuant to s. 1013.62(1) and (3) and for district 980 schools to fund: 981 (a) New construction,andremodeling projects,as set forth982in s. 1013.64(6)(b) and included in the district’s educational983plant survey pursuant to s. 1013.31, without regard to984prioritization,sites and site improvement or expansion to new 985 sites, existing sites, auxiliary facilities, athletic 986 facilities, or ancillary facilities. 987 Section 8. Subsections (3) and (7) of section 1012.56, 988 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 989 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.— 990 (3) MASTERY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of 991 demonstrating mastery of general knowledge are: 992 (a) Achievement of passing scores on the general knowledge 993 examination required by state board rule; 994 (b) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching 995 certificate issued by another state; 996 (c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the 997 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national 998 educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of 999 Education; 1000 (d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time 1001 or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution, 1002 state university, or private college or university that awards 1003 an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution 1004 or an institution of higher education identified by the 1005 Department of Education as having a quality program; or 1006 (e)Effective July 1, 2015,Achievement of passing scores, 1007 identified in state board rule, on national or international 1008 examinations that test comparable content and relevant standards 1009 in verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning 1010 skills, including, but not limited to, the verbal, analytical 1011 writing, and quantitative reasoning portions of the Graduate 1012 Record Examination. Passing scores identified in state board 1013 rule must be at approximately the same level of rigor as is 1014 required to pass the general knowledge examinations. 1015 1016 A school district that employs an individual who does not 1017 achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge 1018 examination must provide information regarding the availability 1019 of state-level and district-level supports and instruction to 1020 assist him or her in achieving a passing score. Such information 1021 must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test 1022 information guides, school district test preparation resources, 1023 and preparation courses offered by state universities and 1024 Florida College System institutions. 1025 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.— 1026 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional 1027 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant 1028 who fulfills one of the following: 1029 1. Meets all the requirements outlined in subsection (2). 1030 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through 1031 12: 1032 a. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h). 1033 b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of 1034 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 1035 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the 1036 advanced degree. 1037 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s 1038 performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on 1039 student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized 1040 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International 1041 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate 1042 examination. 1043 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional 1044 education competency examination required by state board rule. 1045 3. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h) and 1046 completes a professional preparation and education competence 1047 program approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(c). 1048 An applicant who completes the program and is rated highly 1049 effective as determined by his or her performance evaluation 1050 under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a passing 1051 score on the professional education competency examination in 1052 order to be awarded a professional certificate. 1053 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 1054 any applicant who completes the requirements outlined in 1055 paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content 1056 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates 1057 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and 1058 holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the 1059 Department of Education at the level required for the subject 1060 area specialization in state board rule. 1061 (c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year 1062 temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional 1063 certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s 1064 degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for 1065 completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language 1066 impairment. 1067 1068 Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years 1069 and is nonrenewable.However, the requirement in paragraph1070(2)(g) must be met within 1 calendar year of the date of1071employment under the temporary certificate. Individuals who are1072employed under contract at the end of the 1 calendar year time1073period may continue to be employed through the end of the school1074year in which they have been contracted. A school district shall1075not employ, or continue the employment of, an individual in a1076position for which a temporary certificate is required beyond1077this time period if the individual has not met the requirement1078of paragraph (2)(g).At least 1 year before an individual’s 1079 temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall 1080 electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or 1081 her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by 1082 which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be 1083 completed. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to 1084 allow the department to extend the validity period of a 1085 temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the 1086 professional certificate, not including the requirement in1087paragraph (2)(g),were not completed due to the serious illness 1088 or injury of the applicant, the military service of an 1089 applicant’s spouse, or other extraordinary extenuating 1090 circumstances. The rules must authorize the department to extend 1091 the validity period of a temporary certificate for 1 year if the 1092 certificateholder is rated effective or highly effective based 1093 solely on a student learning growth formula approved by the 1094 Commissioner of Education pursuant to s. 1012.34(8). The 1095 department shall reissue the temporary certificate for 2 1096 additional years upon approval by the Commissioner of Education. 1097 A written request for reissuance of the certificate shall be 1098 submitted by the district school superintendent, the governing 1099 authority of a university lab school, the governing authority of 1100 a state-supported school, or the governing authority of a 1101 private school. 1102 Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 1012.59, Florida 1103 Statutes, is amended to read: 1104 1012.59 Certification fees.— 1105 (1) The State Board of Education, by rule,shall establish 1106 by rule separate fees for applications, examinations, 1107 certification, certification renewal, late renewal, 1108 recordmaking, and recordkeeping, and may establish procedures 1109 for scheduling and administering an examination upon an 1110 applicant’s request. Unless otherwise specified in this 1111 subsection, each fee shall be based on department estimates of 1112 the revenue required to implement theprovisions oflaw with 1113 respect to certification of school personnel. The application 1114 fee isshall benonrefundable. The rule must specify anEach1115 examination fee for the following: 1116 (a) Initial registration for first-time test takers. 1117 (b) Retake of the full battery of subtests of an 1118 examination, if applicable. The retake fee for the full battery 1119 of subtests may not exceed the fee for the initial registration. 1120 (c) Retake for each subtest of an examination. The retake 1121 fee for each subtest must be prorated based on the number of 1122 subtests within the examinationshall be sufficient to cover the1123actual cost of developing and administering the examination. 1124 Section 10. Section 1012.731, Florida Statutes, is amended 1125 to read: 1126 1012.731 The Florida Best and Brightest TeacherScholarship1127 Program.— 1128 (1) The Legislature recognizes that, second only to 1129 parents, teachers play the most critical role within schools in 1130 preparing students to achieve a high level of academic 1131 performance.The Legislature further recognizes that research1132has linked student outcomes to a teacher’s own academic1133achievement.Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to 1134 recruit, retain, and recognizedesignateteachers who meet the 1135 needs of this state and have achieved success in the classroom 1136high academic standards during their own education as Florida’s1137best and brightest teacher scholars. 1138 (2)There is createdThe Florida Best and Brightest Teacher 1139ScholarshipProgram is created tobe administered by the1140Department of Education. The scholarship program shallprovide 1141categorical fundingfor scholarshipstorecruitment, retention, 1142 and recognition awardsbe awardedto classroom teachers, as 1143 defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), to be funded as provided in s. 1144 1011.62(18)who have demonstrated a high level of academic1145achievement. 1146 (3)(a) To be eligible for a one-time recruitment award as 1147 specified in the General Appropriations Act, a newly hired 1148 teacher must be a content expert, based on criteria established 1149 by the department, in mathematics, science, computer science, 1150 reading, or civicsscholarshipin the amount of $6,000, a1151classroom teacher must:11521. Have achieved a composite score at or above the 80th1153percentile on either the SAT or the ACT based on the National1154Percentile Ranks in effect when the classroom teacher took the1155assessment and have been evaluated as highly effective pursuant1156to s. 1012.34 in the school year immediately preceding the year1157in which the scholarship will be awarded, unless the classroom1158teacher is newly hired by the district school board and has not1159been evaluated pursuant to s. 1012.34. 11602. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, have achieved1161a composite score at or above the 77th percentile or, if the1162classroom teacher graduated cum laude or higher with a1163baccalaureate degree, the 71st percentile on either the SAT,1164ACT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or MCAT based on the National Percentile1165Ranks in effect when the classroom teacher took the assessment;1166and have been evaluated as highly effective pursuant to s.11671012.34, or have been evaluated as highly effective based on a1168commissioner-approved student learning growth formula pursuant1169to s. 1012.34(8), in the school year immediately preceding the1170year in which the scholarship will be awarded, unless the1171classroom teacher is newly hired by the district school board1172and has not been evaluated pursuant to s. 1012.34.1173 (b) To be eligible for a retention award as specified in 1174 the General Appropriations Act, a teacher must have been rated 1175 as highly effective or effective the preceding year pursuant to 1176 s. 1012.34, and teach in a school for 2 consecutive school 1177 years, including the current year, that has improved an average 1178 of 3 percentage points or more in the percentage of total 1179 possible points achieved for determining school grades over the 1180 prior 3 years 11811.In orderto demonstrate eligibility for an award, an1182eligible classroom teacher must submit to the school district,1183no later than November 1, an official record of his or her1184qualifying assessment score and, beginning with the 2020-20211185school year, an official transcript demonstrating that he or she1186graduated cum laude or higher with a baccalaureate degree, if1187applicable.Once a classroom teacher is deemed eligible by the1188school district, the teacher shall remain eligible as long as he1189or she remains employed by the school district as a classroom1190teacher at the time of the award and receives an annual1191performance evaluation rating of highly effective pursuant to s.11921012.34 or is evaluated as highly effective based on a1193commissioner-approved student learning growth formula pursuant1194to s. 1012.34(8) for the 2019-2020 school year or thereafter.11952.A school district employee who is no longer a classroom1196teacher may receive an award if the employee was a classroom1197teacher in the prior school year, was rated highly effective,1198and met the requirements of this section as a classroom teacher.1199 (c) To be eligible for a recognition award, a teacher must 1200 be rated as highly effective and be selected by his or her 1201 school principal, based on performance criteria and policies 1202 adopted by the district school board. Recognition awards must be 1203 provided from funds remaining under the allocation provided in 1204 s. 1011.62(18) after the payment of all teacher recruitment and 1205 retention awards and principal awards authorized under this 1206 section and the General Appropriations ActNotwithstanding the1207requirements of this subsection, for the 2017-2018, 2018-2019,1208and 2019-2020 school years, any classroom teacher who:12091. Was evaluated as highly effective pursuant to s. 1012.341210in the school year immediately preceding the year in which the1211scholarship will be awarded shall receive a scholarship of1212$1200, including a classroom teacher who received an award1213pursuant to paragraph (a). 12142. Was evaluated as effective pursuant to s. 1012.34 in the1215school year immediately preceding the year in which the1216scholarship will be awarded a scholarship of up to $800. If the1217number of eligible classroom teachers under this subparagraph1218exceeds the total allocation, the department shall prorate the1219per-teacher scholarship amount.1220 1221This paragraph expires July 1, 2020.1222(4) Annually, by December 1, each school district shall1223submit to the department:1224(a) The number of eligible classroom teachers who qualify1225for the scholarship.1226(b) The name and master school identification number (MSID)1227of each school in the district to which an eligible classroom1228teacher is assigned.1229(c) The name of the school principal of each eligible1230classroom teacher’s school if he or she has served as the1231school’s principal for at least 2 consecutive school years1232including the current school year.1233(5) Annually, by February 1, the department shall disburse1234scholarship funds to each school district for each eligible1235classroom teacher to receive a scholarship in accordance with1236this section.1237(6) Annually, by April 1, each school district shall award1238the scholarship to each eligible classroom teacher.1239(7) For purposes of this section, the term “school1240district” includes the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind1241and charter school governing boards.1242 Section 11. Section 1012.732, Florida Statutes, is amended 1243 to read: 1244 1012.732 The Florida Best and Brightest Principal 1245ScholarshipProgram.— 1246 (1) The Legislature recognizes that the most effective 1247 school principals establish a safe and supportive school 1248 environment for students and faculty. Research shows that these 1249 principals increase student learning by providing opportunities 1250 for the professional growth, collaboration, and autonomy that 1251 classroom teachers need to become and remain highly effective 1252 educational professionals.As a result, these principals are1253able to recruit and retain more of the best classroom teachers1254and improve student outcomes at their schools, including schools1255serving low-income and high-need student populations.Therefore, 1256 it is the intent of the Legislature to designate school 1257 principals whose schools make noticeable academic improvement 1258school faculty has a high percentage of classroom teachers who1259are designated as Florida’s best and brightest teacher scholars1260pursuant to s. 1012.731as Florida’s best and brightest 1261 principals. 1262 (2)There is createdThe Florida Best and Brightest 1263 PrincipalScholarshipProgram is created tobe administered by1264the Department of Education. The program shallprovide awards to 1265categorical fundingfor scholarshipstobe awardedtoschool 1266 principals, as defined in s. 1012.01(3)(c)1., to be funded as 1267 provided in s. 1011.62(18)who have recruited and retained a1268high percentage of best and brightest teachers. 1269 (3) A school principalidentified pursuant to s.12701012.731(4)(c)is eligible to receive an award, as specified in 1271 the General Appropriations Act,a scholarshipunder this section 1272 if he or she has served as school principal at his or her school 1273 for at least 42consecutive school years including the current 1274 school year and the school has improved an average of 3 1275 percentage points or more in the percentage of total possible 1276 points achieved for determining school grades over the prior 3 1277 yearshis or her school has a ratio of best and brightest1278teachers to other classroom teachersthat is at the 80th1279percentile or higherfor schools within the same grade group,1280statewide, including elementary schools, middle schools, high1281schools, and schools with a combination of grade levels. 1282(4)Annually, by February 1, the department shall identify1283eligible school principals and disburse funds to each school1284district for each eligible school principal to receive a1285scholarship. A scholarship of $5,000 must be awarded to every1286eligible school principal assigned to a Title I school and a1287scholarship of $4,000 to every eligible school principal who is1288not assigned to a Title I school.1289(5) Annually, by April 1, each school district must award a1290scholarship to each eligible school principal.1291(6)A school district must provide a best and brightest1292principal with the additional authority and responsibilities1293provided in s. 1012.28(8) for a minimum of 2 years.1294(7) For purposes of this section, the term “school1295district” includes the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind1296and charter school governing boards.1297 Section 12. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1) of 1298 section 1013.31, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1299 1013.31 Educational plant survey; localized need 1300 assessment; PECO project funding.— 1301 (1) At least every 5 years, each board shall arrange for an 1302 educational plant survey, to aid in formulating plans for 1303 housing the educational program and student population, faculty, 1304 administrators, staff, and auxiliary and ancillary services of 1305 the district or campus, including consideration of the local 1306 comprehensive plan. The Department of Education shall document 1307 the need for additional career and adult education programs and 1308 the continuation of existing programs before facility 1309 construction or renovation related to career or adult education 1310 may be included in the educational plant survey of a school 1311 district or Florida College System institution that delivers 1312 career or adult education programs. Information used by the 1313 Department of Education to establish facility needs must 1314 include, but need not be limited to, labor market data, needs 1315 analysis, and information submitted by the school district or 1316 Florida College System institution. 1317 (a) Educational plant survey and localized need assessment 1318 for capital outlay purposes.—A survey recommendation is not 1319 required when a district usesmay only usefunds from the 1320 following sources for educational, auxiliary, and ancillary 1321 plant capital outlay purposeswithout needing a survey1322recommendation: 1323 1. The local capital outlay improvement fund, consisting of 1324 funds that come from and are a part of the district’s basic 1325 operating budget; 1326 2. A taxpayer-approved bond referendum, to fund 1327 construction ofIf a board decides to buildan educational, 1328 auxiliary, or ancillary plant facilitywithout a survey1329recommendation and the taxpayers approve a bond referendum, the1330voted bond referendum; 1331 3. One-half cent sales surtax revenue; 1332 4. One cent local governmental surtax revenue; 1333 5. Impact fees;and1334 6. Private gifts or donations; and 1335 7. The district school tax levied pursuant to s. 1336 1011.71(2). 1337 (d) Review and validation.—The Department of Education 1338 shall review and validate the surveys of school districts and 1339 Florida College System institutions, and the Chancellor of the 1340 State University System shall review and validate the surveys of 1341 universities, and any amendments thereto for compliance with the 1342 requirements of this chapter and shall recommend those in 1343 compliance for approval by the State Board of Education or the 1344 Board of Governors, as appropriate. Annually, the department 1345 shall perform an in-depth analysis of a representative sample of 1346 each survey of recommended needs for five districts selected by 1347 the commissioner from among districts with the largest need-to 1348 revenue ratio. For the purpose of this subsection, the need-to 1349 revenue ratio is determined by dividing the total 5-year cost of 1350 projects listed on the district survey by the total 5-year fixed 1351 capital outlay revenue projections from state and local sources 1352 as determined by the department. The commissioner may direct 1353 fixed capital outlay funds provided from general revenue or from 1354 state trust funds to be withheld from districts until such time 1355 as the survey accurately projects facilities needs. 1356 Section 13. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (6) 1357 of section 1013.64, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1358 1013.64 Funds for comprehensive educational plant needs; 1359 construction cost maximums for school district capital 1360 projects.—Allocations from the Public Education Capital Outlay 1361 and Debt Service Trust Fund to the various boards for capital 1362 outlay projects shall be determined as follows: 1363 (6) 1364 (b)1. A district school board may not use funds from state 1365 sourcesthe following sources: Public Education Capital Outlay1366and Debt Service Trust Fund; School District and Community1367College District Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund;1368Classrooms First Program funds provided in s. 1013.68; nonvoted13691.5-mill levy of ad valorem property taxes provided in s.13701011.71(2); Classrooms for Kids Program funds provided in s.13711013.735; District Effort Recognition Program funds provided in1372s. 1013.736; or High Growth District Capital Outlay Assistance1373Grant Program funds provided in s. 1013.738for any new 1374 construction of educational plant space with a total cost per 1375 student station, including change orders, which exceedsthat1376equals more than: 1377 a. $17,952 for an elementary school, 1378 b. $19,386 for a middle school, or 1379 c. $25,181 for a high school, 1380 1381 (January 2006) as adjusted annually to reflect increases or 1382 decreases in the Consumer Price Index. These restrictions do not 1383 apply to local funds as specified in s. 1013.31(1)(a). The 1384 department, in conjunction with the Office of Economic and 1385 Demographic Research, shall review and revise the cost per 1386 student station limits to reflect actual construction costs by 1387 December 1, 2019, and every 3 years thereafter. The adjusted 1388 cost per student station shall be used by the department for 1389 computation of the statewide average costs per student station 1390 for each instructional level pursuant to paragraph (d). The 1391 department shall also collaborate with the Office of Economic 1392 and Demographic Research to select an industry-recognized 1393 construction index to replace the Consumer Price Index by 1394 December 1, 2019, adjusted annually to reflect changes in the 1395 construction index. 1396 2. School districts shall maintain accurate documentation 1397 related to the costs of all new construction of educational 1398 plant space reported to the Department of Education pursuant to 1399 paragraph (d). The Auditor General shall review the 1400 documentation maintained by the school districts and verify 1401 compliance with the limits under this paragraph during its 1402 scheduled operational audits of the school district.The1403department shall make the final determination on district1404compliance based on the recommendation of the Auditor General.1405 3.Effective July 1, 2017, in addition to the funding1406sources listed in subparagraph 1., a district school board may1407not use funds from any sources for new construction of1408educational plant space with a total cost per student station,1409including change orders, which equals more than the current1410adjusted amounts provided in sub-subparagraphs 1.a.-c. which1411shall subsequently be adjusted annually to reflect increases or1412decreases in the Consumer Price Index. However, if a contract1413has been executed for architectural and design services or for1414construction management services before July 1, 2017, a district1415school board may use funds from any source for the new1416construction of educational plant space and such funds are1417exempt from the total cost per student station requirements.14184.A district school board must not use funds from the 1419 Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund or 1420 the School District and Community College District Capital 1421 Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund for any new construction of 1422 an ancillary plant that exceeds 70 percent of the average cost 1423 per square foot of new construction for all schools. 1424 (c) Except as otherwise provided, new construction for 1425 which a contract has been executed for architectural and design 1426 services or for construction management services by a district 1427 school board on or after July 1, 2017, may not exceed the cost 1428 per student station as provided in paragraph (b).A school1429district that exceeds the cost per student station provided in1430paragraph (b), as determined by the Auditor General, shall be1431subject to sanctions. If the Auditor General determines that the1432cost per student station overage is de minimus or due to1433extraordinary circumstances outside the control of the district,1434the sanctions shall not apply. The sanctions are as follows:14351. The school district shall be ineligible for allocations1436from the Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust1437Fund for the next 3 years in which the school district would1438have received allocations had the violation not occurred.14392. The school district shall be subject to the supervision1440of a district capital outlay oversight committee. The oversight1441committee is authorized to approve all capital outlay1442expenditures of the school district, including new construction,1443renovations, and remodeling, for 3 fiscal years following the1444violation.1445a. Each oversight committee shall be composed of the1446following:1447(I) One appointee of the Commissioner of Education who has1448significant financial management, school facilities1449construction, or related experience.1450(II) One appointee of the office of the state attorney with1451jurisdiction over the district.1452(III) One appointee of the Chief Financial Officer who is a1453licensed certified public accountant.1454b. An appointee to the oversight committee may not be1455employed by the school district; be a relative, as defined in s.14561002.33(24)(a)2., of any school district employee; or be an1457elected official. Each appointee must sign an affidavit1458attesting to these conditions and affirming that no conflict of1459interest exists in his or her oversight role.1460 (d) The department shall: 1461 1. Compute for each calendar year the statewide average 1462 construction costs for facilities serving each instructional 1463 level, for relocatable educational facilities, for 1464 administrative facilities, and for other ancillary and auxiliary 1465 facilities. The department shall compute the statewide average 1466 costs per student station for each instructional level. 1467 2. Annually review the actual completed construction costs 1468 of educational facilities in each school district. For any 1469 school district in which the total actual cost per student 1470 station, including change orders, exceeds the statewide limits 1471 established in paragraph (b), the school district shall report 1472 to the department the actual cost per student station and the 1473 reason for the school district’s inability to adhere to the 1474 limits established in paragraph (b). The department shall 1475 collect all such reports and shall provide these reports to the 1476 Auditor General for verification purposes. 1477 1478 Cost per student station includes contract costs, legal and1479administrative costs, fees of architects and engineers,1480furniture and equipment, and site improvement costs. Cost per 1481 student station does not include legal and administrative costs, 1482 architect and engineer fees, furniture and equipment costs, the 1483 cost of purchasing or leasing the site, the cost of constructing 1484 covered walkways, the costs of complying with public shelter and 1485 hurricane hardening requirements,for the constructionor the 1486 cost of offsite and relatedoffsiteimprovements. Cost per 1487 student station also does not include the cost of any security 1488 enhancements, including, but not limited to, the cost for 1489 securing entries, checkpoint construction, lighting specifically 1490 designed for entry point security, security cameras, automatic 1491 locks and locking devices, electronic security systems, fencing 1492 designed to prevent intruder entry into a building, bullet-proof 1493 glass, or other capital construction items approved by the 1494 school safety specialist to ensure building security for new 1495 educational, auxiliary, or ancillary facilities; costs for these1496items must be below 2 percent per student station. 1497 Section 14. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.