Senate Bill sb7088pb

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088

    FOR CONSIDERATION By the Committee on Education





    581-664D-06

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to education; amending s.

  3         11.90, F.S.; requiring that the Legislative

  4         Budget Commission review proposed federal

  5         education plans; amending s. 20.15, F.S.;

  6         establishing the Division of Accountability,

  7         Research, and Measurement in the Department of

  8         Education; amending s. 1000.03, F.S.;

  9         specifying that the mission of the state's K-20

10         education system is to provide high quality,

11         rigorous, and relevant learning opportunities

12         for students; repealing s. 1000.041, F.S., to

13         conform provisions relating to the 2005 repeal

14         of the BEST Florida Teaching salary career

15         ladder program; amending s. 1001.02, F.S.;

16         requiring legislative approval of a revised

17         state plan to implement certain federal

18         requirements; amending s. 1001.03, F.S.;

19         requiring the State Board of Education to

20         facilitate the review of the Sunshine State

21         Standards and provide a report to the Governor

22         and Legislature; requiring the maintenance of a

23         uniform school district personnel

24         classification system; amending s. 1001.10,

25         F.S.; requiring legislative approval of a

26         revised state plan to implement certain federal

27         requirements; creating s. 1001.215, F.S.;

28         creating the Just Read, Florida! Office in the

29         Department of Education; providing duties;

30         amending s. 1001.33, F.S.; conforming

31         provisions relating to the 2005 repeal of the

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         BEST Florida Teaching salary career ladder

 2         program; amending s. 1001.41, F.S.; requiring

 3         district school boards to adopt standards and

 4         policies to provide to each student a complete

 5         education program; amending s. 1001.42, F.S.,

 6         relating to requirements of district plans for

 7         school improvements; requiring alignment with

 8         the Sunshine State Standards; providing certain

 9         limitations of the start of the school year;

10         repealing s. 1001.51(24), F.S., and amending s.

11         1001.54, F.S.; conforming provisions relating

12         to the 2005 repeal of the BEST Florida Teaching

13         salary career ladder program; requiring each

14         secondary school principal to implement a

15         school redesign plan; amending s. 1003.01,

16         F.S.; revising the definition of the terms

17         "special education services" and "career

18         education"; defining the terms "career

19         academies" and "small learning communities" and

20         providing requirements; amending s. 1003.05,

21         F.S.; deleting the requirement that certain

22         children receive preference for admission to

23         special academic programs even if maximum

24         enrollment has been reached; revising programs

25         defined as "special academic programs" for

26         purposes of such preference; amending s.

27         1003.415, F.S.; renaming the Middle Grades

28         Reform Act as the "Florida Secondary Schools

29         Redesign Act"; providing legislative purpose

30         and intent; requiring that school boards adopt

31         policies for individual secondary school

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         redesign plans; providing requirements for the

 2         middle school redesign plans and high school

 3         redesign plans; requiring each middle school to

 4         develop a personalized academic and career plan

 5         for each student; requiring that the plan be

 6         refined each year; providing requirements for

 7         remediation; requiring that the academic and

 8         career plan be incorporated into the individual

 9         student plan; requiring that the Department of

10         Education provide model personalized academic

11         and career plans; requiring public schools and

12         charter schools to provide an academic

13         improvement plan for students who score below a

14         specified level on the FCAT; creating s.

15         1003.4156, F.S.; specifying general

16         requirements for middle school promotion;

17         requiring an intensive reading course under

18         certain circumstances; requiring school

19         district policies for implementation and

20         authorizing alternative methods for

21         progression; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.,

22         relating to required instruction; revising the

23         requirements for studying U.S. history and free

24         enterprise; amending s. 1003.43, F.S., relating

25         to requirements for high school graduation;

26         revising requirements for graduation;

27         conforming cross-references; amending s.

28         1003.437, F.S.; including middle grades in the

29         uniform grading system; amending s. 1003.491,

30         F.S.; including within career education the

31         academic and career plans and career academies;

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         amending s. 1003.62, F.S.; conforming

 2         provisions relating to the designation of

 3         school grades and differentiated-pay polices;

 4         amending s. 1003.57, F.S.; providing guidelines

 5         for determining the residency of a student who

 6         receives instruction as an exceptional student

 7         with a disability; requiring the student's

 8         placing authority or parent to pay the cost of

 9         such instruction, facilities, and services;

10         providing responsibilities of the Department of

11         Education; providing responsibilities of

12         residential facilities that educate exceptional

13         students with disabilities; providing

14         applicability; amending s. 1003.58, F.S.;

15         correcting a cross-reference; creating s.

16         1003.576, F.S.; requiring the Department of

17         Education to develop an individual education

18         plan form for use in developing and

19         implementing individual education plans for

20         exceptional students; requiring school

21         districts to use the form; creating s. 1004.64,

22         F.S.; establishing the Florida Center for

23         Reading Research; specifying the duties of the

24         center; amending s. 1006.09, F.S.; conforming a

25         cross-reference; amending s. 1007.21, F.S.;

26         revising the readiness requirements for

27         postsecondary education and the workplace;

28         amending s. 1007.271, F.S.; revising the

29         weighting systems for certain high school

30         courses; amending s. 1008.22, F.S.; specifying

31         FCAT grade level and subject area testing

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         requirements; requiring documentation of

 2         procedures that ensure test difficulty under

 3         certain circumstances; requiring the State

 4         Board of Education to conduct concordance

 5         studies to determine FCAT equivalencies for

 6         high school graduation; deleting a limitation

 7         on and specifying requirements for the use of

 8         alternative assessments to the grade 10 FCAT;

 9         requiring an annual report on student

10         performance; amending s. 1008.25, F.S.;

11         revising requirements for assessment and

12         remediation; requiring that students be

13         provided with strategies for intervention and

14         instruction; requiring that the academic

15         improvement plan be incorporated into the

16         personalized academic and career plan;

17         repealing s. 1008.301, F.S., relating to a

18         concordance study of FCAT equivalencies for

19         high school graduation; amending s. 1008.31,

20         F.S.; revising goals and measures of the K-20

21         performance accountability system and requiring

22         data quality improvements; providing for

23         development of reporting or data collection

24         requirements; amending s. 1008.33, F.S.;

25         conforming a cross-reference and provisions

26         relating to the designation of school grades;

27         amending s. 1008.34, F.S.; revising terminology

28         and provisions relating to designation and

29         determination of school grades; providing for

30         the designation of school grades for feeder

31         pattern schools under certain circumstances;

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         specifying use of assessment data with respect

 2         to alternative schools; defining the term "home

 3         school"; requiring an annual school report card

 4         to be published by the department and

 5         distributed by school districts; creating s.

 6         1008.341, F.S.; requiring improvement ratings

 7         for certain alternative schools; providing the

 8         basis for such ratings and requiring annual

 9         performance reports; providing for

10         determination of school improvement ratings,

11         identification of learning gains, and

12         eligibility for school recognition awards;

13         requiring the development and distribution of

14         an annual school report card; amending s.

15         1008.345, F.S.; conforming cross-references and

16         provisions relating to the designation of

17         school grades; amending s. 1011.62, F.S.;

18         providing FTE funding for juveniles enrolled in

19         specified education programs; providing funding

20         for supplemental educational programs;

21         providing funding for supplemental educational

22         services for certain students; conforming

23         cross-references and provisions relating to the

24         designation of school grades; establishing a

25         research-based reading instruction allocation

26         to provide funds for a comprehensive reading

27         instruction system; requiring school district

28         plans for use of the allocation and approval

29         thereof; including the allocation in the total

30         amount allocated to each school district for

31         current operation; amending s. 1011.64, F.S.;

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         conforming terminology and a cross-reference;

 2         amending s. 1011.685, F.S.; conforming

 3         provisions relating to the 2005 repeal of the

 4         BEST Florida Teaching salary career ladder

 5         program and implementation of a

 6         differentiated-pay policy; amending s. 1011.71,

 7         F.S.; correcting a cross-reference; amending s.

 8         1012.21, F.S.; requiring the department to

 9         annually post online school district collective

10         bargaining contracts and the salary and

11         benefits of certain personnel; amending s.

12         1012.22, F.S.; deleting a requirement that each

13         district school board adopt a performance-pay

14         policy; requiring each district school board to

15         annually provide to the department its

16         negotiated collective bargaining contract and

17         the salary and benefits of certain personnel;

18         creating s. 1012.2312, F.S.; requiring each

19         district school board to adopt a

20         differentiated-pay policy for instructional

21         personnel; providing factors on which

22         differentiated pay shall be based; authorizing

23         the withholding of funds from school districts

24         under certain circumstances; creating s.

25         1012.2313, F.S.; requiring each district school

26         board to have a differentiated-pay policy for

27         school administrators; providing factors on

28         which differentiated pay shall be based;

29         authorizing the withholding of funds from

30         school districts under certain circumstances;

31         creating s. 1012.2315, F.S.; providing school

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         district requirements for the assignment of

 2         teachers and authorizing incentives; providing

 3         procedures for noncompliance; providing

 4         requirements relating to collective bargaining;

 5         amending s. 1012.27, F.S.; conforming

 6         provisions relating to the 2005 repeal of the

 7         BEST Florida Teaching salary career ladder

 8         program and implementation of a

 9         differentiated-pay policy; amending s. 1012.28,

10         F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.

11         1012.34, F.S.; conforming provisions relating

12         to deletion of a rigorous reading requirement;

13         amending s. 1012.56, F.S., relating to middle

14         grades certification; encouraging school

15         districts to provide for additional

16         certification for teachers; amending s.

17         1012.98, F.S., relating to the School Community

18         Professional Development Act; revising the

19         purpose of the professional development system;

20         providing for additional activities; requiring

21         instructional strategies and methods that

22         support rigorous, relevant, and challenging

23         curriculum; providing requirements for followup

24         support and the master plan for inservice

25         activities; providing requirements for the

26         individual professional development plan for

27         instructional employees; deleting a provision

28         authorizing an organization of private schools

29         to develop a professional development system;

30         requiring the department to disseminate

31         best-practice methods and model professional

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         development programs; amending s. 1012.985,

 2         F.S.; providing for a statewide system for the

 3         professional development of school leaders

 4         consisting of a collaborative network of

 5         professional organizations; providing goals of

 6         the network; repealing s. 1012.987, F.S., which

 7         requires the State Board of Education to adopt

 8         rules through which school principals may earn

 9         a leadership designation; providing an

10         effective date.

11  

12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

13  

14         Section 1.  Subsection (8) is added to section 11.90,

15  Florida Statutes, to read:

16         11.90  Legislative Budget Commission.--

17         (8)  The commission shall review the proposed state

18  plans of the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of

19  Education which are required under federal law before those

20  plans are submitted.

21         Section 2.  Paragraph (f) is added to subsection (3) of

22  section 20.15, Florida Statutes, to read:

23         20.15  Department of Education.--There is created a

24  Department of Education.

25         (3)  DIVISIONS.--The following divisions of the

26  Department of Education are established:

27         (f)  Division of Accountability, Research, and

28  Measurement.

29         Section 3.  Subsection (4) of section 1000.03, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         1000.03  Function, mission, and goals of the Florida

 2  K-20 education system.--

 3         (4)  The mission of Florida's K-20 education system is

 4  to allow its students to increase their proficiency by

 5  allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and

 6  skills through high quality, rigorous, relevant adequate

 7  learning opportunities, in accordance with the mission

 8  statement and accountability requirements of s. 1008.31.

 9         Section 4.  Section 1000.041, Florida Statutes, is

10  repealed.

11         Section 5.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section

12  1001.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

13         1001.02  General powers of State Board of Education.--

14         (2)  The State Board of Education has the following

15  duties:

16         (g)  To approve plans for cooperating with the Federal

17  Government. Upon the 2007 reauthorization of the federal No

18  Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the Commissioner of Education

19  shall seek public input and secure legislative approval of the

20  revised state plan prior to submission.

21         Section 6.  Subsections (1) and (14) of section

22  1001.03, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

23         1001.03  Specific powers of State Board of Education.--

24         (1)  PUBLIC K-12 STUDENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.--The

25  State Board of Education shall approve the student performance

26  standards known as the Sunshine State Standards in key

27  academic subject areas and grade levels. The state board shall

28  facilitate the review and refinement of the standards to

29  ensure adequate rigor, relevance, and appropriate student

30  progression. The process for review and proposed revisions

31  must include leadership and input from the state's classroom

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1  teachers, school administrators, community colleges and

 2  universities, and representatives from business and industry

 3  identified by local education foundations. Proposed revisions

 4  must be completed by December 1, 2006, and a report submitted

 5  to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker

 6  of the House of Representatives by January 1, 2007.

 7         (14)  UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT

 8  ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.--The State Board of

 9  Education shall maintain recommend to the Legislature by

10  February 1, 2003, a uniform classification system for school

11  district administrative and management personnel that will

12  facilitate the uniform coding of administrative and management

13  personnel to total district employees.

14         Section 7.  Subsection (8) of section 1001.10, Florida

15  Statutes, is amended to read:

16         1001.10  Commissioner of Education; general powers and

17  duties.--The Commissioner of Education is the chief

18  educational officer of the state, and is responsible for

19  giving full assistance to the State Board of Education in

20  enforcing compliance with the mission and goals of the

21  seamless K-20 education system. To facilitate innovative

22  practices and to allow local selection of educational methods,

23  the State Board of Education may authorize the commissioner to

24  waive, upon the request of a district school board, State

25  Board of Education rules that relate to district school

26  instruction and school operations, except those rules

27  pertaining to civil rights, and student health, safety, and

28  welfare. The Commissioner of Education is not authorized to

29  grant waivers for any provisions in rule pertaining to the

30  allocation and appropriation of state and local funds for

31  public education; the election, compensation, and organization

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1  of school board members and superintendents; graduation and

 2  state accountability standards; financial reporting

 3  requirements; reporting of out-of-field teaching assignments

 4  under s. 1012.42; public meetings; public records; or due

 5  process hearings governed by chapter 120. No later than

 6  January 1 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the

 7  Legislature and the State Board of Education all approved

 8  waiver requests in the preceding year. Additionally, the

 9  commissioner has the following general powers and duties:

10         (8)  To develop and implement a plan for cooperating

11  with the Federal Government in carrying out any or all phases

12  of the educational program and to recommend policies for

13  administering funds that are appropriated by Congress and

14  apportioned to the state for any or all educational purposes.

15  Upon the 2007 reauthorization of the federal No Child Left

16  Behind Act of 2001, the Commissioner of Education shall seek

17  public input and secure legislative approval of the revised

18  state plan prior to submission.

19  

20  The commissioner's office shall operate all statewide

21  functions necessary to support the State Board of Education

22  and the K-20 education system, including strategic planning

23  and budget development, general administration, and assessment

24  and accountability.

25         Section 8.  Section 1001.215, Florida Statutes, is

26  created to read:

27         1001.215  Just Read, Florida! Office.--There is created

28  in the Department of Education the Just Read, Florida! office.

29  The office shall be fully accountable to the Commissioner of

30  Education and shall:

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         (1)  Train professionally certified teachers to become

 2  reading coaches.

 3         (2)  Create multiple designations of effective reading

 4  instruction, with accompanying credentials, which encourage

 5  all teachers to integrate reading instruction into their

 6  content areas.

 7         (3)  Train K-12 teachers, school principals, and

 8  parents on research-based reading instructional strategies and

 9  secondary teachers on effective reading in the content area

10  strategies.

11         (4)  Provide technical assistance to school districts

12  in the development and implementation of district plans for

13  use of the research-based reading instruction allocation

14  provided in s. 1011.62(8) and annually review and approve such

15  plans.

16         (5)  Review, evaluate, and provide technical assistance

17  to school districts' implementation of the K-12 comprehensive

18  reading plan required in s. 1011.62(8).

19         (6)  Work with the Florida Center for Reading Research

20  to provide information on research-based reading programs and

21  effective reading in the content area strategies.

22         (7)  Periodically review the Sunshine State Standards

23  for reading at all grade levels.

24         (8)  Periodically review teacher certification

25  examinations, including alternative certification exams, to

26  ascertain whether the examinations measure the skills needed

27  for research-based reading instructional and reading in the

28  content area strategies.

29         (9)  Work with teacher preparation programs approved

30  pursuant to s. 1004.04 to integrate research-based reading

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1  instructional strategies and reading in the content area into

 2  teacher preparation programs.

 3         (10)  Administer grants and perform other functions as

 4  necessary to meet the goal that all students read at grade

 5  level.

 6         Section 9.  Section 1001.33, Florida Statutes, is

 7  amended to read:

 8         1001.33  Schools under control of district school board

 9  and district school superintendent.--

10         (1)  Except as otherwise provided by law, all public

11  schools conducted within the district shall be under the

12  direction and control of the district school board with the

13  district school superintendent as executive officer.

14         (2)  Each district school board, each district school

15  superintendent, and each district and school-based

16  administrator shall cooperate to apply the following guiding

17  principles of Better Educated Students and Teachers (BEST)

18  Florida Teaching:

19         (a)  Teachers lead, students learn.

20         (b)  Teachers maintain orderly, disciplined classrooms

21  conducive to student learning.

22         (c)  Teachers are trained, recruited, well compensated,

23  and retained for quality.

24         (d)  Teachers are well rewarded for their students'

25  high performance.

26         (e)  Teachers are most effective when served by

27  exemplary school administrators.

28         Section 10.  Subsection (3) of section 1001.41, Florida

29  Statutes, is amended to read:

30         1001.41  General powers of district school board.--The

31  district school board, after considering recommendations

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1  submitted by the district school superintendent, shall

 2  exercise the following general powers:

 3         (3)  Prescribe and adopt standards and policies to

 4  provide each student the opportunity to receive a complete

 5  education program, including language arts, mathematics,

 6  science, social studies, health, physical education, foreign

 7  languages, and the arts, as defined by the Sunshine State

 8  Standards. The standards and policies must emphasize

 9  integration and reinforcement of reading, writing, and

10  mathematics skills, including career awareness, exploration,

11  and planning, across all subjects. as are considered desirable

12  by it for improving the district school system.

13         Section 11.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (4) of section

14  1001.42, Florida Statutes, is amended, paragraph (c) of

15  subsection (5) of that section is repealed, and subsection

16  (16) of that section is amended, to read:

17         1001.42  Powers and duties of district school

18  board.--The district school board, acting as a board, shall

19  exercise all powers and perform all duties listed below:

20         (4)  ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION OF

21  SCHOOLS.--Adopt and provide for the execution of plans for the

22  establishment, organization, and operation of the schools of

23  the district, including, but not limited to, the following:

24         (f)  Opening and closing of schools; fixing uniform

25  date.--Adopt policies for the opening and closing of schools

26  and fix uniform dates. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school

27  year, the opening date of the school year may not be earlier

28  than 7 days before Labor Day each year.

29         (5)  PERSONNEL.--

30  

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1         (c)  Fully support and cooperate in the application of

 2  the guiding principles of Better Educated Students and

 3  Teachers (BEST) Florida Teaching, pursuant to s. 1000.041.

 4         (16)  IMPLEMENT SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND

 5  ACCOUNTABILITY.--Maintain a system of school improvement and

 6  education accountability as provided by statute and State

 7  Board of Education rule. This system of school improvement and

 8  education accountability shall be consistent with, and

 9  implemented through, the district's continuing system of

10  planning and budgeting required by this section and ss.

11  1008.385, 1010.01, and 1011.01. This system of school

12  improvement and education accountability shall include, but is

13  not limited to, the following:

14         (a)  School improvement plans.--Annually approve and

15  require implementation of a new, amended, or continuation

16  school improvement plan for each school in the district,

17  except that a district school board may establish a district

18  school improvement plan that includes all schools in the

19  district operating for the purpose of providing educational

20  services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs.

21  Such plan shall be designed to achieve the state education

22  priorities pursuant to s. 1000.03(5) and student performance

23  standards. In addition, any school required to implement a

24  rigorous reading requirement pursuant to s. 1003.415 must

25  include such component in its school improvement plan. Each

26  plan shall also address issues relative to budget, training,

27  instructional materials, technology, staffing, student support

28  services, specific school safety and discipline strategies,

29  student health and fitness, including physical fitness,

30  parental information on student health and fitness, and indoor

31  environmental air quality, and other matters of resource

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    Florida Senate - 2006   (PROPOSED COMMITTEE BILL)     SPB 7088
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 1  allocation, as determined by district school board policy, and

 2  shall be based on an analysis of student achievement and other

 3  school performance data.

 4         (b)  Alignment with Sunshine State Standards.--Design

 5  the school district's system of school improvement and student

 6  progression to provide frequent and accurate information to

 7  the teacher and student regarding each student's progress

 8  toward mastering the Sunshine State Standards. The system must

 9  support the alignment of the Sunshine State Standards,

10  monitoring of individual student progress, and enhanced

11  instructional strategies, assessment, and professional

12  development. Each school improvement plan must include:

13         1.  Professional development that supports enhanced

14  instructional strategies, improves teaching and learning, and

15  addresses skill gaps.

16         2.  Evidence of continuous use of disaggregated student

17  achievement data to determine effectiveness of instructional

18  strategies.

19         3.  Ongoing assessment to monitor individual student

20  progress and to redesign instruction, if needed.

21         4.  Alternative instructional delivery methods to

22  support remediation and enrichment strategies.

23         (c)(b)  Approval process.--Develop a process for

24  approval of a school improvement plan presented by an

25  individual school and its advisory council. In the event a

26  district school board does not approve a school improvement

27  plan after exhausting this process, the Department of

28  Education shall be notified of the need for assistance.

29         (d)(c)  Assistance and intervention.--

30         1.  Develop a 2-year plan of increasing individualized

31  assistance and intervention for each school in danger of not

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 1  meeting state standards or making adequate progress, as

 2  defined pursuant to statute and State Board of Education rule,

 3  toward meeting the goals and standards of its approved school

 4  improvement plan.

 5         2.  Provide assistance and intervention to a school

 6  that is identified as being in performance grade category "D"

 7  pursuant to s. 1008.34 and is in danger of failing.

 8         3.  Develop a plan to encourage teachers with

 9  demonstrated mastery in improving student performance to

10  remain at or transfer to a school designated as performance

11  grade category "D" or "F" or to an alternative school that

12  serves disruptive or violent youths. If a classroom teacher,

13  as defined by s. 1012.01(2)(a), who meets the definition of

14  teaching mastery developed according to the provisions of this

15  paragraph, requests assignment to a school designated as

16  performance grade category "D" or "F" or to an alternative

17  school that serves disruptive or violent youths, the district

18  school board shall make every practical effort to grant the

19  request.

20         4.  Prioritize, to the extent possible, the

21  expenditures of funds received from the supplemental academic

22  instruction categorical fund under s. 1011.62(1)(f) to improve

23  student performance in schools that receive a performance

24  grade category designation of "D" or "F."

25         (e)(d)  After 2 years.--Notify the Commissioner of

26  Education and the State Board of Education in the event any

27  school does not make adequate progress toward meeting the

28  goals and standards of a school improvement plan by the end of

29  2 years of failing to make adequate progress and proceed

30  according to guidelines developed pursuant to statute and

31  State Board of Education rule. School districts shall provide

                                  18

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 1  intervention and assistance to schools in danger of being

 2  designated as performance grade category "F," failing to make

 3  adequate progress.

 4         (f)(e)  Public disclosure.--Provide information

 5  regarding performance of students and educational programs as

 6  required pursuant to ss. 1008.22 and 1008.385 and implement a

 7  system of school reports as required by statute and State

 8  Board of Education rule that shall include schools operating

 9  for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in

10  Department of Juvenile Justice programs, and for those

11  schools, report on the elements specified in s. 1003.52(19).

12  Annual public disclosure reports shall be in an easy-to-read

13  report card format and shall include the school's student and

14  school performance grade category designation and performance

15  data as specified in state board rule.

16         (g)(f)  School improvement funds.--Provide funds to

17  schools for developing and implementing school improvement

18  plans. Such funds shall include those funds appropriated for

19  the purpose of school improvement pursuant to s. 24.121(5)(c).

20         Section 12.  Subsection (24) of section 1001.51,

21  Florida Statutes, is repealed.

22         Section 13.  Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1)

23  and subsection (2) of section 1001.54, Florida Statutes, are

24  amended to read:

25         1001.54  Duties of school principals.--

26         (1)

27         (c)  The school principal shall encourage school

28  personnel to implement the guiding principles for Better

29  Educated Students and Teachers (BEST) Florida Teaching,

30  pursuant to s. 1000.041.

31  

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 1         (c)(d)  The school principal shall fully support the

 2  authority of each teacher and school bus driver to remove

 3  disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable,

 4  or disruptive students from the classroom and the school bus

 5  and, when appropriate and available, place such students in an

 6  alternative educational setting.

 7         (2)  Each school principal shall provide instructional

 8  leadership in the development, or revision, and implementation

 9  of a school improvement plan, pursuant to s. 1001.42(16), and,

10  for secondary school principals, an integrated school redesign

11  plan pursuant to s. 1003.415(4).

12         Section 14.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and

13  subsection (4) of section 1003.01, Florida Statutes, are

14  amended to read:

15         1003.01  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the

16  term:

17         (3)

18         (b)  "Special education services" means specially

19  designed instruction and such related services as are

20  necessary for an exceptional student to benefit from

21  education. Such services may include: transportation;

22  diagnostic and evaluation services; social services; physical

23  and occupational therapy; speech and language pathology

24  services; job placement; orientation and mobility training;

25  braillists, typists, and readers for the blind; interpreters

26  and auditory amplification; rehabilitation counseling;

27  transition services; mental health services; guidance and

28  career counseling; specified materials, assistive technology

29  devices, and other specialized equipment; and other such

30  services as approved by rules of the state board.

31  

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 1         (4)(a)  "Career education" means education that

 2  provides instruction for the following purposes:

 3         1.(a)  At the elementary, middle, and high secondary

 4  school levels, exploratory courses designed to give students

 5  initial exposure to a broad range of occupations to assist

 6  them in preparing their academic and occupational plans, and

 7  practical arts courses that provide generic skills that may

 8  apply to many occupations but are not designed to prepare

 9  students for entry into a specific occupation. Career

10  education provided before high school completion must be

11  designed to strengthen enhance both occupational awareness and

12  academic skills integrated throughout all through integration

13  with academic instruction.

14         2.(b)  At the secondary school level, job-preparatory

15  instruction in the competencies that prepare students for

16  effective entry into an occupation, including diversified

17  cooperative education, work experience, and job-entry programs

18  that coordinate directed study and on-the-job training.

19         3.(c)  At the postsecondary education level, courses of

20  study that provide competencies needed for entry into specific

21  occupations or for advancement within an occupation.

22         (b)  "Career academies" are defined as strategic

23  educational training opportunities provided in small learning

24  communities to ensure outcomes and skills based on viable

25  careers, occupations, and industry needs.  The academic focus

26  of individual career academies must be determined

27  cooperatively among school districts, postsecondary

28  institutions, local workforce boards, and chambers of

29  commerce. Career academies shall use existing infrastructure

30  whenever possible and include, at a minimum:

31  

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 1         1.  Rigorous coursework based on industry performance

 2  standards;

 3         2.  Attainment of a high school diploma;

 4         3.  Preparation for careers based on local, regional,

 5  and national economic trends to provide a skilled Florida

 6  workforce;

 7         4.  Industry certification, if applicable, for

 8  occupations based on local and national economic indicators;

 9         5.  Opportunities to earn college credit; and

10         6.  Ease of access into postsecondary education or the

11  workforce, or both.

12         (c)  "Small learning communities" are defined as

13  schools within a school, magnet programs within a school, or a

14  similar model having an emphasis on a particular subject, area

15  of study, or career themes or clusters. Small learning

16  communities shall use existing infrastructure whenever

17  possible and include:

18         1.  Rigorous coursework based on state and

19  career-related standards;

20         2.  Attainment of a high school diploma;

21         3.  Preparation for careers based on student interests

22  and a skilled Florida workforce;

23         4.  Opportunities to earn college credit; and

24         5.  Ease of access into postsecondary education or the

25  workforce, or both.

26         Section 15.  Subsection (3) of section 1003.05, Florida

27  Statutes, is amended to read:

28         1003.05  Assistance to transitioning students from

29  military families.--

30         (3)  Dependent children of active duty military

31  personnel who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria for

                                  22

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 1  special academic programs offered through public schools shall

 2  be given first preference for admission to such programs even

 3  if the program is being offered through a public school other

 4  than the school to which the student would generally be

 5  assigned and the school at which the program is being offered

 6  has reached its maximum enrollment. If such a program is

 7  offered through a public school other than the school to which

 8  the student would generally be assigned, the parent or

 9  guardian of the student must assume responsibility for

10  transporting the student to that school. For purposes of this

11  subsection, special academic programs include charter schools,

12  magnet schools, advanced studies programs, advanced placement,

13  dual enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of

14  Education, and International Baccalaureate.

15         Section 16.  Section 1003.415, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         1003.415  The Florida Secondary Schools Redesign Middle

18  Grades Reform Act.--

19         (1)  SHORT TITLE POPULAR NAME.--This section may be

20  cited as shall be known by the popular name the "Florida

21  Secondary Schools Redesign Middle Grades Reform Act."

22         (2)  PURPOSE AND INTENT.--The purpose of this section

23  is to provide added academic focus, and rigor, relevance, and

24  opportunity for relationships to academics in the secondary

25  middle grades. Using integrated reading instruction as the

26  foundation, all secondary middle grade students shall should

27  receive rigorous academic instruction through challenging and

28  relevant curricula delivered by highly qualified teachers in

29  schools that have with outstanding principal leadership and,

30  which schools are supported by engaged and informed parents

31  and business partners. It is the intent of the Legislature

                                  23

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 1  that students entering 9th promoted from the eighth grade will

 2  be prepared ready for success in high school and that students

 3  graduating from high school will be prepared for postsecondary

 4  education and the workforce.

 5         (3)  DEFINITION.--As used in this section, the term

 6  "secondary schools middle grades" means grades 6 through 12,

 7  7, and 8.

 8         (4)  REDESIGN PLANS.--Beginning with the 2006-2007

 9  school year, each district school board shall adopt policies

10  to provide support for all secondary schools to develop an

11  individual school redesign plan. The primary goal of the

12  redesign plan is to increase student engagement and

13  achievement through enhanced instructional opportunities that

14  stress rigor, relevance, and relationships; to encourage

15  students to remain in school and graduate on time; and to

16  prepare students for postsecondary education and the world of

17  work. Each secondary school's plan must include a timeline, a

18  comprehensive professional development plan, and designation

19  of the responsibilities of teachers, administrators, parents,

20  students, the business community, and district staff.

21  Secondary school redesign plans must be integral to school and

22  district improvement plans pursuant to s. 1001.42(16)(a) and

23  district professional development plans pursuant to s.

24  1012.98(4)(b).

25         (a)  The middle school redesign plans must be based on

26  a sound and strategic preparation for high school success and

27  include the following:

28         1.  Instructional strategies to increase rigor and

29  relevance throughout the curriculum to prepare middle school

30  students for rigorous high school courses, postsecondary

31  studies, and the world of work;

                                  24

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 1         2.  Instructional strategies to increase annually the

 2  percentage of students enrolled in and successfully completing

 3  algebra. Middle schools are encouraged to provide at least one

 4  high school course with priority given to algebra;

 5         3.  Integration of reading strategies in all content

 6  areas;

 7         4.  Comprehensive career exploration, which results in

 8  the development of individual 4- to 5-year academic plans for

 9  every student by the end of grade 8 pursuant to s. 1006.02;

10         5.  Organizational strategies as specified in s.

11  1003.02(4) which include small-group advisement, small

12  learning communities, or similar models to ensure enhanced

13  adult relationships for every student to support and sustain

14  rigorous and relevant academics;

15         6.  Intensive remediation strategies to close skill

16  gaps, including summer bridge academies;

17         7.  Organizational strategies to encourage common

18  planning time and professional learning communities for

19  instructional and administrative staff;

20         8.  Strategies to increase continuous monitoring of

21  student achievement using data and data analysis; and

22         9.  Strategies to communicate redesign plans with

23  feeder pattern high schools in order to obtain input and

24  feedback and ensure continuous improvement of academic

25  achievement for all students.

26         (b)  The high school redesign plans must be based on a

27  sound and strategic preparation for postsecondary education

28  and the workforce and include the following:

29         1.  Instructional strategies to increase rigor and

30  relevance throughout the curriculum to prepare high school

31  

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 1  students for rigorous postsecondary studies and the demands of

 2  the workplace;

 3         2.  Instructional strategies to increase annually the

 4  percentage of students enrolled in and successful in

 5  higher-level math courses, including algebra II and above;

 6         3.  Integration of reading strategies in all content

 7  areas;

 8         4.  Use and refinement of individual student 4- to

 9  5-year academic and career plans as the basis for course

10  selection and enrollment pursuant to s. 1006.02;

11         5.  Organizational strategies as specified in s.

12  1003.02(4) which include small group advisement, small

13  learning communities, or similar models to ensure enhanced

14  adult relationships with every student to support and sustain

15  rigorous and relevant academics;

16         6.  Intensive remediation strategies to close skill

17  gaps, including summer bridge academies;

18         7.  Organizational strategies to encourage common

19  planning time and professional learning communities for

20  instructional and administrative staff;

21         8.  Strategies to develop and refine 9th grade

22  academies as the cornerstone year to ensure successful

23  transition to high school, student engagement in rigorous

24  coursework, and preparation for postsecondary education and

25  the workforce pursuant to s. 1006.02;

26         9.  Strategies to share redesign plans with feeder

27  pattern middle schools in order to obtain input and feedback

28  and ensure continuous improvement of academic achievement for

29  all students;

30  

31  

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 1         10.  Strategies to transform the senior year as the

 2  capstone year to enhance student transition to postsecondary

 3  school and the workforce; and

 4         11.  Strategies for developing or enhancing existing

 5  professional career academies as defined in s. 1003.01(4).

 6         (5)  PERSONALIZED ACADEMIC AND CAREER PLANS.--

 7         (a)  Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, each

 8  middle school shall begin development of personalized academic

 9  and career plans based on a comprehensive career exploration

10  course. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, personalized

11  academic and career plans shall be developed by the end of

12  grade 8 as a collaborative effort between the student and the

13  student's teachers, teacher advisors, guidance counselors, and

14  parents. The purpose of the plan is to provide each student

15  with a 4- to 5-year plan based on individual aspirations and

16  goals for postsecondary education and possible careers. The

17  plan shall be developed and refined yearly in collaboration

18  with the student and his or her parent, teachers, teacher

19  advisors, and guidance staff, and shall be focused on rigorous

20  coursework that is aligned to the student's plans for

21  postsecondary education or the workforce, or both.

22         (b)  For secondary students who score below Level 3 in

23  reading or math on the most recently administered FCAT, the

24  personalized academic and career plan must also include a

25  provision for instructional assistance pursuant to s.

26  1008.25(4) and must include identification of the student's

27  strengths and weaknesses, intervention strategies, and

28  continuous monitoring of the student's progress in academic

29  performance.

30         (c)  The personalized academic and career plan must be

31  seamlessly incorporated into individual student plans required

                                  27

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 1  by federal or state law, including the academic improvement

 2  plan required in s. 1008.25, an individual education plan

 3  (IEP) for a student with disabilities, a federal 504 plan, or

 4  an ESOL plan.

 5         (d)  The Department of Education, with input from

 6  school-based instructional leaders, shall provide model 4- to

 7  5-year personalized academic and career plans in order to

 8  provide resource samples to secondary schools. Model plans

 9  shall be made available on the department's website by

10  December 1, 2006. The assistance model shall include

11  strategies to synchronize and integrate existing plans

12  required by state or federal law in order to minimize

13  paperwork.

14         (6)  CHALLENGE SECONDARY SCHOOLS AWARD PROGRAM.--The

15  Commissioner of Education shall create and implement the

16  Challenge Secondary Schools Award Program to reward public

17  middle and high schools that demonstrate continuous academic

18  improvement and show the greatest gains in student academic

19  achievement in reading and mathematics.

20         (4)  CURRICULA AND COURSES.--The Department of

21  Education shall review course offerings, teacher

22  qualifications, instructional materials, and teaching

23  practices used in reading and language arts programs in the

24  middle grades. The department must consult with the Florida

25  Center for Reading Research at Florida State University, the

26  Just Read, Florida! Office, reading researchers, reading

27  specialists, and district supervisors of curriculum in the

28  development of findings and recommendations. The Commissioner

29  of Education shall make recommendations to the State Board of

30  Education regarding changes to reading and language arts

31  curricula in the middle grades based on research-based proven

                                  28

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 1  effective programs. The State Board of Education shall adopt

 2  rules based upon the commissioner's recommendations no later

 3  than March 1, 2005. Implementation of new or revised reading

 4  and language arts courses in all middle grades shall be phased

 5  in beginning no later than the 2005-2006 school year with

 6  completion no later than the 2008-2009 school year.

 7         (7)(5)  ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT PLAN RIGOROUS READING

 8  REQUIREMENT.--

 9         (a)  Beginning with the 2007-2008 2004-2005 school

10  year, each public school serving middle grade students in

11  grades 6 through 12, including charter schools, must include,

12  as a component of the personalized academic and career plan,

13  an academic improvement plan pursuant to s. 1008.25(4), for

14  students scoring below with fewer than 75 percent of its

15  students reading at or above grade level in grade 6, grade 7,

16  or grade 8 as measured by a student scoring at Level 3 on the

17  most recently administered or above on the FCAT. during the

18  prior school year, must incorporate by October 1 a rigorous

19  reading requirement for reading and language arts programs as

20  the primary component of its school improvement plan. The

21  department shall annually provide to each district school

22  board by June 30 a list of its schools that are required to

23  incorporate a rigorous reading requirement as the primary

24  component of the school's improvement plan. The department

25  shall provide technical assistance to school districts and

26  school administrators required to implement the rigorous

27  reading requirement. The department shall annually provide to

28  each district school board by June 30 a list of its schools

29  that are required to incorporate a rigorous reading

30  requirement as the primary component of the school's

31  improvement plan. The department shall provide technical

                                  29

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 1  assistance to school districts and school administrators

 2  required to implement the rigorous reading requirement.

 3         (b)  The purpose of the rigorous reading requirement is

 4  to assist each student who is not reading at or above grade

 5  level to do so before entering high school. The rigorous

 6  reading requirement must include for a middle school's

 7  low-performing student population specific areas that address

 8  phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and

 9  vocabulary; the desired levels of performance in those areas;

10  and the instructional and support services to be provided to

11  meet the desired levels of performance. The school shall use

12  research-based reading activities that have been shown to be

13  successful in teaching reading to low-performing students.

14         (c)  Schools required to implement the rigorous reading

15  requirement must provide quarterly reports to the district

16  school superintendent on the progress of students toward

17  increased reading achievement.

18         (d)  The results of implementation of a school's

19  rigorous reading requirement shall be used as part of the

20  annual evaluation of the school's instructional personnel and

21  school administrators as required in s. 1012.34.

22         (6)  COMPREHENSIVE REFORM STUDY ON THE ACADEMIC

23  PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS.--

24         (a)  The department shall conduct a study on how the

25  overall academic performance of middle grade students and

26  schools can be improved. The department must consult with the

27  Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State

28  University, the Just Read, Florida! Office, and key education

29  stakeholders, including district school board members,

30  district school superintendents, principals, parents,

31  teachers, district supervisors of curriculum, and students

                                  30

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 1  across the state, in the development of its findings and

 2  recommendations. The department shall review, at a minimum,

 3  each of the following elements:

 4         1.  Academic expectations, which include, but are not

 5  limited to:

 6         a.  Alignment of middle school expectations with

 7  elementary and high school graduation requirements.

 8         b.  Best practices to improve reading and language arts

 9  courses based on research-based programs for middle school

10  students in alignment with the Sunshine State Standards.

11         c.  Strategies that focus on improving academic success

12  for low-performing students.

13         d.  Rigor of curricula and courses.

14         e.  Instructional materials.

15         f.  Course enrollment by middle school students.

16         g.  Student support services.

17         h.  Measurement and reporting of student achievement.

18         2.  Attendance policies and student mobility issues.

19         3.  Teacher quality, which includes, but is not limited

20  to:

21         a.  Preparedness of teachers to teach rigorous courses

22  to middle school students.

23         b.  Teacher evaluations.

24         c.  Substitute teachers.

25         d.  Certification and recertification requirements.

26         e.  Staff development requirements.

27         f.  Availability of effective staff development

28  training.

29         g.  Teacher recruitment and vacancy issues.

30         h.  Federal requirements for highly qualified teachers

31  pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

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 1         4.  Identification and availability of diagnostic

 2  testing.

 3         5.  Availability of personnel and scheduling issues.

 4         6.  Middle school leadership and performance.

 5         7.  Parental and community involvement.

 6         (b)  By December 1, 2004, the Commissioner of Education

 7  shall submit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of

 8  the House of Representatives, the chairs of the education

 9  committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and

10  the State Board of Education recommendations to increase the

11  academic performance of middle grade students and schools.

12         (7)  PERSONALIZED MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS PLAN.--

13         (a)  Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, each

14  principal of a school with a middle grade shall designate

15  certified staff members at the school to develop and

16  administer a personalized middle school success plan for each

17  entering sixth grade student who scored below Level 3 in

18  reading on the most recently administered FCAT. The purpose of

19  the success plan is to assist the student in meeting state and

20  school district expectations in academic proficiency and to

21  prepare the student for a rigorous high school curriculum. The

22  success plan shall be developed in collaboration with the

23  student and his or her parent and must be implemented until

24  the student completes the eighth grade or achieves a score at

25  Level 3 or above in reading on the FCAT, whichever occurs

26  first. The success plan must minimize paperwork and may be

27  incorporated into a parent/teacher conference, included as

28  part of a progress report or report card, included as part of

29  a general orientation at the beginning of the school year, or

30  provided by electronic mail or other written correspondence.

31         (b)  The personalized middle school success plan must:

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 1         1.  Identify educational goals and intermediate

 2  benchmarks for the student in the core curriculum areas which

 3  will prepare the student for high school.

 4         2.  Be based upon academic performance data and an

 5  identification of the student's strengths and weaknesses.

 6         3.  Include academic intervention strategies with

 7  frequent progress monitoring.

 8         4.  Provide innovative methods to promote the student's

 9  advancement which may include, but not be limited to, flexible

10  scheduling, tutoring, focus on core curricula, online

11  instruction, an alternative learning environment, or other

12  interventions that have been shown to accelerate the learning

13  process.

14         (c)  The personalized middle school success plan must

15  be incorporated into any individual student plan required by

16  federal or state law, including the academic improvement plan

17  required in s. 1008.25, an individual education plan (IEP) for

18  a student with disabilities, a federal 504 plan, or an ESOL

19  plan.

20         (d)  The Department of Education shall provide

21  technical assistance for districts, school administrators, and

22  instructional personnel regarding the development of

23  personalized middle school success plans. The assistance shall

24  include strategies and techniques designed to maximize

25  interaction between students, parents, teachers, and other

26  instructional and administrative staff while minimizing

27  paperwork.

28         (8)  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORITY.--

29         (a)  The State Board of Education shall have authority

30  to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to

31  implement the provisions of this section.

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 1         (b)  The State Board of Education shall have authority

 2  pursuant to s. 1008.32 to enforce the provisions of this

 3  section.

 4         Section 17.  Section 1003.4156, Florida Statutes, is

 5  created to read:

 6         1003.4156  General requirements for middle school

 7  promotion.--

 8         (1)  Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the

 9  2007-2008 school year, promotion from a middle school with

10  grades 6 through 8 requires that:

11         (a)  A student must successfully complete 12 academic

12  courses as follows:

13         1.  Three middle school or higher courses in

14  English/language arts.

15         2.  Three middle school or higher courses in

16  mathematics.

17         3.  Two middle school or higher courses in social

18  studies.

19         4.  Two middle school or higher courses in science.

20         5.  One and one-half middle school or higher elective

21  courses.

22         6.  One-half course in comprehensive career

23  exploration, to be completed by the end of seventh grade.

24         (b)  For each year in which a student scores at Level 1

25  or Level 2 on FCAT Reading, the student must the following

26  year be enrolled in and complete a full-year intensive reading

27  course. Reading courses shall be designed and offered pursuant

28  to the reading instruction plan required by s. 1011.62(8). To

29  provide flexibility for students to enroll in elective courses

30  and meet required course competencies, school districts are

31  

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 1  encouraged to provide applied, integrated academic courses for

 2  students enrolled in intensive reading.

 3         (c)  Additional course requirements for middle-grades

 4  promotion shall be determined by each school district in the

 5  pupil progression plan, which may include additional academic

 6  courses, including the fine and performing arts, physical

 7  education, or career and technical education, in order to

 8  provide a complete education program as defined in s.

 9  1001.41(3).

10         (2)  District school boards shall establish policies to

11  implement the requirements of this section. The policies must

12  include procedures for placing and promoting students who

13  enter a Florida public school at the sixth, seventh, or eighth

14  grade from out of state or from a foreign country. The polices

15  may allow alternative methods for students to demonstrate

16  competency in the courses required by this section. School

17  districts shall emphasize alternative methods for students

18  scoring at Level 1 on FCAT Reading who have retained in

19  elementary school. The alternatives shall include, but are not

20  limited to, opportunities for students to:

21         (a)  Be promoted on time to high school.

22         (b)  Be placed in programs that emphasize applied

23  integrated curricula, small learning communities, career

24  exploration, support services, alternative discipline, or

25  other strategies documented to improve student achievement.

26  

27  Within 30 days after adoption, the school district's policies

28  shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for

29  approval. The school district's policies shall be

30  automatically approved unless specifically rejected by the

31  State Board of Education within 60 days after receipt.

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 1         (3)  Students in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade

 2  who are not enrolled in schools having a middle grades

 3  configuration are subject to the promotion requirements of

 4  this section.

 5         Section 18.  Section 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is

 6  amended to read:

 7         1003.42  Required instruction.--

 8         (1)  Each district school board shall provide all

 9  courses required for high school graduation and appropriate

10  instruction designed to ensure that students meet State Board

11  of Education adopted standards in the following subject areas:

12  reading and other language arts, mathematics, science, social

13  studies, foreign languages, health and physical education, and

14  the arts.

15         (2)  Members of the instructional staff of the public

16  schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education

17  and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and

18  faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet

19  the highest standards for professionalism and historic

20  accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and

21  employing approved methods of instruction, the following:

22         (a)  The history and content of the Declaration of

23  Independence, including national sovereignty, natural law,

24  self-evident truth, equality of all persons, limited

25  government, popular sovereignty, and inalienable rights of

26  life, liberty, and property, and how they form it forms the

27  philosophical foundation of our government.

28         (b)  The history, meaning, significance, and effect of

29  the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and

30  amendments thereto, with emphasis on each of the 10 amendments

31  

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 1  that make up the Bill of Rights and how the constitution

 2  provides the structure of our government.

 3         (c)(b)  The arguments in support of adopting our

 4  republican form of government, as they are embodied in the

 5  most important of the Federalist Papers.

 6         (c)  The essentials of the United States Constitution

 7  and how it provides the structure of our government.

 8         (d)  Flag education, including proper flag display and

 9  flag salute.

10         (e)  The elements of civil government, including the

11  primary functions of and interrelationships between the

12  Federal Government, the state, and its counties,

13  municipalities, school districts, and special districts.

14         (f)  The history of the United States, including the

15  period of discovery, early colonies, the War for Independence,

16  the Civil War, the expansion of the United States to its

17  present boundaries, the world wars, and the civil rights

18  movement to the present. American history shall be viewed as

19  factual, not as constructed, shall be viewed as knowable,

20  teachable, and testable, and shall be defined as the creation

21  of a new nation based largely on the universal principles

22  stated in the Declaration of Independence.

23         (g)(f)  The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the

24  systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other

25  groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of

26  humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an

27  investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the

28  ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an

29  examination of what it means to be a responsible and

30  respectful person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance

31  

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 1  of diversity in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and

 2  protecting democratic values and institutions.

 3         (h)(g)  The history of African Americans, including the

 4  history of African peoples before the political conflicts that

 5  led to the development of slavery, the passage to America, the

 6  enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of

 7  African Americans to society.

 8         (i)(h)  The elementary principles of agriculture.

 9         (j)(i)  The true effects of all alcoholic and

10  intoxicating liquors and beverages and narcotics upon the

11  human body and mind.

12         (k)(j)  Kindness to animals.

13         (l)(k)  The history of the state.

14         (m)(l)  The conservation of natural resources.

15         (n)(m)  Comprehensive health education that addresses

16  concepts of community health; consumer health; environmental

17  health; family life, including an awareness of the benefits of

18  sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the

19  consequences of teenage pregnancy; mental and emotional

20  health; injury prevention and safety; nutrition; personal

21  health; prevention and control of disease; and substance use

22  and abuse.

23         (o)(n)  Such additional materials, subjects, courses,

24  or fields in such grades as are prescribed by law or by rules

25  of the State Board of Education and the district school board

26  in fulfilling the requirements of law.

27         (p)(o)  The study of Hispanic contributions to the

28  United States.

29         (q)(p)  The study of women's contributions to the

30  United States.

31  

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 1         (r)  The nature and importance of free enterprise to

 2  the United States economy.

 3         (s)(q)  A character-development program in the

 4  elementary schools, similar to Character First or Character

 5  Counts, which is secular in nature and stresses such character

 6  qualities as attentiveness, patience, and initiative.

 7  Beginning in school year 2004-2005, the character-development

 8  program shall be required in kindergarten through grade 12.

 9  Each district school board shall develop or adopt a curriculum

10  for the character-development program that shall be submitted

11  to the department for approval. The character-development

12  curriculum shall stress the qualities of patriotism;,

13  responsibility;, citizenship;, kindness;, respect for

14  authority, life, liberty, and personal property;, honesty;

15  charity;, self-control;, racial, ethnic, and religious

16  tolerance;, and cooperation.

17         (t)(r)  In order to encourage patriotism, the

18  sacrifices that veterans have made in serving our country and

19  protecting democratic values worldwide. Such instruction must

20  occur on or before Veterans' Day and Memorial Day. Members of

21  the instructional staff are encouraged to use the assistance

22  of local veterans when practicable.

23  

24  The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards

25  and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.

26         (3)  Any student whose parent makes written request to

27  the school principal shall be exempted from the teaching of

28  reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, its

29  symptoms, development, and treatment. A student so exempted

30  may not be penalized by reason of that exemption. Course

31  descriptions for comprehensive health education shall not

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 1  interfere with the local determination of appropriate

 2  curriculum which reflects local values and concerns.

 3         Section 19.  Subsections (1), (5), (7), and (10) of

 4  section 1003.43, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

 5         1003.43  General requirements for high school

 6  graduation.--

 7         (1)  Graduation requires successful completion of

 8  either a minimum of 24 academic credits in grades 9 through

 9  12, or an International Baccalaureate curriculum, or an

10  Advanced International Certification curriculum. The 24

11  credits shall be distributed as follows:

12         (a)  Four credits in English, with major concentration

13  in composition and literature.

14         (b)  Four Three credits in mathematics, effective for

15  the 2008-2009 school year.  Effective for students entering

16  the 9th grade in the 1997-1998 school year and thereafter, one

17  of these credits must be Algebra I, a series of courses

18  equivalent to Algebra I, or a higher-level mathematics course.

19         (c)  Three credits in science, two of which must have a

20  laboratory component. Agriscience Foundations I, the core

21  course in secondary Agriscience and Natural Resources

22  programs, counts as one of the science credits.

23         (d)  One credit in American history.

24         (e)  One credit in world history, including a

25  comparative study of the history, doctrines, and objectives of

26  all major political systems.

27         (f)  One-half credit in economics, including a

28  comparative study of the history, doctrines, and objectives of

29  all major economic systems.  The Florida Council on Economic

30  Education shall provide technical assistance to the department

31  

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 1  and district school boards in developing curriculum materials

 2  for the study of economics.

 3         (g)  One-half credit in American government, including

 4  study of the Constitution of the United States. For students

 5  entering the 9th grade in the 1997-1998 school year and

 6  thereafter, the study of Florida government, including study

 7  of the State Constitution, the three branches of state

 8  government, and municipal and county government, shall be

 9  included as part of the required study of American government.

10         (h)1.  One credit in practical arts career education or

11  exploratory career education. Any career education course as

12  defined in s. 1003.01 may be taken to satisfy the high school

13  graduation requirement for one credit in practical arts or

14  exploratory career education provided in this subparagraph;

15         2.  One credit in performing fine arts to be selected

16  from music, dance, drama, painting, or sculpture.  A course in

17  any art form, in addition to painting or sculpture, that

18  requires manual dexterity, or a course in speech and debate,

19  may be taken to satisfy the high school graduation requirement

20  for one credit in performing arts pursuant to this

21  subparagraph; or

22         3.  One-half credit each in practical arts career

23  education or exploratory career education and performing fine

24  arts, as defined in this paragraph.

25  

26  Such credit for practical arts career education or exploratory

27  career education or for performing fine arts shall be made

28  available in the 9th grade, and students shall be scheduled

29  into a 9th grade course as a priority.

30         (i)  One-half credit in life management skills to

31  include consumer education, positive emotional development,

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 1  marriage and relationship skill-based education, nutrition,

 2  parenting skills, prevention of human immunodeficiency virus

 3  infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other

 4  sexually transmissible diseases, benefits of sexual abstinence

 5  and consequences of teenage pregnancy, information and

 6  instruction on breast cancer detection and breast

 7  self-examination, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, drug

 8  education, and the hazards of smoking.

 9         (j)  One credit in physical education to include

10  assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal fitness.

11  Participation in an interscholastic sport at the junior

12  varsity or varsity level, for two full seasons, shall satisfy

13  the one-credit requirement in physical education if the

14  student passes a competency test on personal fitness with a

15  score of "C" or better. The competency test on personal

16  fitness must be developed by the Department of Education. A

17  district school board may not require that the one credit in

18  physical education be taken during the 9th grade year.

19  Completion of one semester with a grade of "C" or better in a

20  marching band class, in a physical activity class that

21  requires participation in marching band activities as an

22  extracurricular activity, or in a Reserve Officer Training

23  Corps (R.O.T.C.) class a significant component of which is

24  drills shall satisfy a one-half credit requirement in physical

25  education.  This one-half credit may not be used to satisfy

26  the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for

27  adaptive physical education under an individual educational

28  plan (IEP) or 504 plan.

29         (k)  Seven Eight and one-half elective credits.

30  

31  

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 1  District school boards may award a maximum of one-half credit

 2  in social studies and one-half elective credit for student

 3  completion of nonpaid voluntary community or school service

 4  work.  Students choosing this option must complete a minimum

 5  of 75 hours of service in order to earn the one-half credit in

 6  either category of instruction.  Credit may not be earned for

 7  service provided as a result of court action.  District school

 8  boards that approve the award of credit for student volunteer

 9  service shall develop guidelines regarding the award of the

10  credit, and school principals are responsible for approving

11  specific volunteer activities. A course designated in the

12  Course Code Directory as grade 9 through grade 12 that is

13  taken below the 9th grade may be used to satisfy high school

14  graduation requirements or Florida Academic Scholars award

15  requirements as specified in a district school board's student

16  progression plan. A student shall be granted credit toward

17  meeting the requirements of this subsection for equivalent

18  courses, as identified pursuant to s. 1007.271(6), taken

19  through dual enrollment.

20         (5)  Each district school board shall establish

21  standards for graduation from its schools, and these standards

22  must include:

23         (a)  Earning passing scores on the FCAT, as defined in

24  s. 1008.22(3)(c), or scores on a standardized test that are

25  concordant with passing scores on the FCAT as defined in s.

26  1008.22(9).

27         (b)  Polices that encourage and recognize rigorous

28  coursework and student areas of specialization and expertise

29  on the high school diploma. Such recognition may include

30  successful completion of IB, AICE, or dual enrollment;

31  

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 1  content-area proficiency; and portfolio development and

 2  demonstration.

 3         (c)(b)  Completion of all other applicable requirements

 4  prescribed by the district school board pursuant to s.

 5  1008.25.

 6         (d)(c)  Achievement of a cumulative grade point average

 7  of 1.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, for students

 8  entering 9th grade before the 1997-1998 school year; however,

 9  these students must earn a cumulative grade point average of

10  2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the courses required

11  by subsection (1) that are taken after July 1, 1997, or have

12  an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.

13         (e)(d)  Achievement of a cumulative grade point average

14  of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the courses

15  required by subsection (1), for students entering 9th grade in

16  the 1997-1998 school year and thereafter.

17         (f)(e)  For purposes of paragraphs (d) (c) and (e) (d):

18         1.  Each district school board shall adopt policies

19  designed to assist students in meeting these requirements.

20  These policies may include, but are not limited to:

21  forgiveness policies, summer school or before or after school

22  attendance, special counseling, volunteer and/or peer tutors,

23  school-sponsored help sessions, homework hotlines, and study

24  skills classes. Beginning in the 2000-2001 school year and

25  each year thereafter, forgiveness policies for required

26  courses shall be limited to replacing a grade of "D" or "F,"

27  or the equivalent of a grade of "D" or "F," with a grade of

28  "C" or higher, or the equivalent of a grade of "C" or higher,

29  earned subsequently in the same or comparable course.

30  Forgiveness policies for elective courses shall be limited to

31  replacing a grade of "D" or "F," or the equivalent of a grade

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 1  of "D" or "F," with a grade of "C" or higher, or the

 2  equivalent of a grade of "C" or higher, earned subsequently in

 3  another course. Any course grade not replaced according to a

 4  district school board forgiveness policy shall be included in

 5  the calculation of the cumulative grade point average required

 6  for graduation.

 7         2.  At the end of each semester, the parent of each

 8  student in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who has a cumulative grade

 9  point average of less than 0.5 above the cumulative grade

10  point average required for graduation shall be notified that

11  the student is at risk of not meeting the requirements for

12  graduation. The notice shall contain an explanation of the

13  policies the district school board has in place to assist the

14  student in meeting the grade point average requirement.

15         3.  Special assistance to obtain a high school

16  equivalency diploma pursuant to s. 1003.435 may be given only

17  when the student has completed all requirements for graduation

18  except the attainment of the required cumulative grade point

19  average.

20  

21  The standards required in this subsection, and any subsequent

22  modifications, shall be reprinted in the Florida

23  Administrative Code even though not defined as "rules."

24         (7)  No student may be granted credit toward high

25  school graduation for enrollment in the following courses or

26  programs:

27         (a)  More than a total of nine elective credits in

28  remedial programs.

29         (b)  More than one credit in exploratory career

30  education courses as defined in s. 1003.01(4)(a)1.

31  

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 1         (c)  More than three credits in practical arts family

 2  and consumer sciences classes as defined in s. 1003.01(4)(a)1.

 3         (d)  Any Level I course unless the student's assessment

 4  indicates that a more rigorous course of study would be

 5  inappropriate, in which case a written assessment of the need

 6  must be included in the student's individual educational plan

 7  or in a student performance plan, signed by the principal, the

 8  guidance counselor, and the parent of the student, or the

 9  student if the student is 18 years of age or older.

10         (10)(a)  A student who meets all requirements

11  prescribed in subsections (1), (4), and (5) shall be awarded a

12  standard diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of

13  Education. A district school board may attach the Florida gold

14  seal career endorsement to a standard diploma or, instead of

15  the standard diploma, award differentiated diplomas to those

16  exceeding the prescribed minimums, as specified in paragraph

17  (5)(b).

18         (b)  A student who completes the minimum number of

19  credits and other requirements prescribed by subsections (1)

20  and (4), but who is unable to meet the standards of paragraph

21  (5)(a), paragraph (5)(c) (5)(b), or paragraph (5)(d) (5)(c),

22  shall be awarded a certificate of completion in a form

23  prescribed by the State Board of Education. However, any

24  student who is otherwise entitled to a certificate of

25  completion may elect to remain in the secondary school either

26  as a full-time student or a part-time student for up to 1

27  additional year and receive special instruction designed to

28  remedy his or her identified deficiencies.

29         Section 20.  Section 1003.437, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31  

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 1         1003.437  Middle and high school grading system.--The

 2  grading system and interpretation of letter grades used for

 3  students in public high schools in grades 6-12 shall be as

 4  follows:

 5         (1)  Grade "A" equals 90 percent through 100 percent,

 6  has a grade point average value of 4, and is defined as

 7  "outstanding progress."

 8         (2)  Grade "B" equals 80 percent through 89 percent,

 9  has a grade point average value of 3, and is defined as "above

10  average progress."

11         (3)  Grade "C" equals 70 percent through 79 percent,

12  has a grade point average value of 2, and is defined as

13  "average progress."

14         (4)  Grade "D" equals 60 percent through 69 percent,

15  has a grade point average value of 1, and is defined as

16  "lowest acceptable progress."

17         (5)  Grade "F" equals zero percent through 59 percent,

18  has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as

19  "failure."

20         (6)  Grade "I" equals zero percent, has a grade point

21  average value of zero, and is defined as "incomplete."

22  

23  For the purposes of class ranking, district school boards may

24  exercise a weighted grading system.

25         Section 21.  Section 1003.491, Florida Statutes, is

26  amended to read:

27         1003.491  Career education.--

28         (1)  School board, superintendent, and school

29  accountability for career education within elementary and

30  secondary schools includes, but is not limited to:

31  

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 1         (a)  Student exposure to a variety of careers and

 2  provision of instruction to explore specific careers in

 3  greater depth.

 4         (b)  Student awareness of available career programs and

 5  the corresponding occupations into which such programs lead.

 6         (c)  Student development of individual academic and

 7  career plans as specified in s. 1003.415(5).

 8         (d)  Integration of academic and career skills in the

 9  secondary curriculum.

10         (e)  Implementation of career academies and small

11  learning communities as defined in s. 1003.01(4).

12         (f)(e)  Student preparation to enter the workforce and

13  enroll in postsecondary education without being required to

14  complete college preparatory or career preparatory

15  instruction.

16         (g)(f)  Student retention in school through high school

17  graduation.

18         (h)(g)  Career education curriculum articulation with

19  corresponding postsecondary programs in the career center or

20  community college, or both.

21         (2)  A No school board or public school may not shall

22  require a student to participate in any school-to-work or job

23  training program. A district school board or school may shall

24  not require a student to meet occupational standards for grade

25  level promotion or graduation unless the student is

26  voluntarily enrolled in a job training program.

27         (3)  Each district school board and superintendent

28  shall implement all components required to obtain the career

29  education certification on the high school diploma if the

30  school district chooses to offer the certification.

31  

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 1         Section 22.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and

 2  paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 1003.62, Florida

 3  Statutes, are amended to read:

 4         1003.62  Academic performance-based charter school

 5  districts.--The State Board of Education may enter into a

 6  performance contract with district school boards as authorized

 7  in this section for the purpose of establishing them as

 8  academic performance-based charter school districts. The

 9  purpose of this section is to examine a new relationship

10  between the State Board of Education and district school

11  boards that will produce significant improvements in student

12  achievement, while complying with constitutional and statutory

13  requirements assigned to each entity.

14         (1)  ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE-BASED CHARTER SCHOOL

15  DISTRICT.--

16         (a)  A school district shall be eligible for

17  designation as an academic performance-based charter school

18  district if it is a high-performing school district in which a

19  minimum of 50 percent of the schools earn a performance grade

20  of category "A" or "B" and in which no school earns a

21  performance grade of category "D" or "F" for 2 consecutive

22  years pursuant to s. 1008.34. Schools that receive a

23  performance grade of category "I" or "N" shall not be included

24  in this calculation. The performance contract for a school

25  district that earns a charter based on school performance

26  grades shall be predicated on maintenance of at least 50

27  percent of the schools in the school district earning a

28  performance grade of category "A" or "B" with no school in the

29  school district earning a performance grade of category "D" or

30  "F" for 2 consecutive years. A school district in which the

31  number of schools that earn a performance grade of "A" or "B"

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 1  is less than 50 percent may have its charter renewed for 1

 2  year; however, if the percentage of "A" or "B" schools is less

 3  than 50 percent for 2 consecutive years, the charter shall not

 4  be renewed.

 5         (2)  EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES AND RULES.--

 6         (a)  An academic performance-based charter school

 7  district shall operate in accordance with its charter and

 8  shall be exempt from certain State Board of Education rules

 9  and statutes if the State Board of Education determines such

10  an exemption will assist the district in maintaining or

11  improving its high-performing status pursuant to paragraph

12  (1)(a). However, the State Board of Education may not exempt

13  an academic performance-based charter school district from any

14  of the following statutes:

15         1.  Those statutes pertaining to the provision of

16  services to students with disabilities.

17         2.  Those statutes pertaining to civil rights,

18  including s. 1000.05, relating to discrimination.

19         3.  Those statutes pertaining to student health,

20  safety, and welfare.

21         4.  Those statutes governing the election or

22  compensation of district school board members.

23         5.  Those statutes pertaining to the student assessment

24  program and the school grading system, including chapter 1008.

25         6.  Those statutes pertaining to financial matters,

26  including chapter 1010.

27         7.  Those statutes pertaining to planning and

28  budgeting, including chapter 1011, except that ss. 1011.64 and

29  1011.69 shall be eligible for exemption.

30         8.  Sections 1012.22(1)(c), 1012.2312, 1012.2313, and

31  1012.27(2), relating to performance-pay policies for school

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 1  administrators and instructional personnel. Professional

 2  service contracts shall be subject to the provisions of ss.

 3  1012.33 and 1012.34.

 4         9.  Those statutes pertaining to educational

 5  facilities, including chapter 1013, except as specified under

 6  contract with the State Board of Education. However, no

 7  contractual provision that could have the effect of requiring

 8  the appropriation of additional capital outlay funds to the

 9  academic performance-based charter school district shall be

10  valid.

11         Section 23.  Section 1003.57, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         1003.57  Exceptional students instruction.--

14         (1)  Each district school board shall provide for an

15  appropriate program of special instruction, facilities, and

16  services for exceptional students as prescribed by the State

17  Board of Education as acceptable, including provisions that:

18         (a)(1)  The district school board provide the necessary

19  professional services for diagnosis and evaluation of

20  exceptional students.

21         (b)(2)  The district school board provide the special

22  instruction, classes, and services, either within the district

23  school system, in cooperation with other district school

24  systems, or through contractual arrangements with approved

25  private schools or community facilities that meet standards

26  established by the commissioner.

27         (c)(3)  The district school board annually provide

28  information describing the Florida School for the Deaf and the

29  Blind and all other programs and methods of instruction

30  available to the parent of a sensory-impaired student.

31  

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 1         (d)(4)  The district school board, once every 3 years,

 2  submit to the department its proposed procedures for the

 3  provision of special instruction and services for exceptional

 4  students.

 5         (e)(5)  A No student may not be given special

 6  instruction or services as an exceptional student until after

 7  he or she has been properly evaluated, classified, and placed

 8  in the manner prescribed by rules of the State Board of

 9  Education. The parent of an exceptional student evaluated and

10  placed or denied placement in a program of special education

11  shall be notified of each such evaluation and placement or

12  denial. Such notice shall contain a statement informing the

13  parent that he or she is entitled to a due process hearing on

14  the identification, evaluation, and placement, or lack

15  thereof. Such hearings shall be exempt from the provisions of

16  ss. 120.569, 120.57, and 286.011, except to the extent that

17  the State Board of Education adopts rules establishing other

18  procedures and any records created as a result of such

19  hearings shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions

20  of s. 119.07(1). The hearing must be conducted by an

21  administrative law judge from the Division of Administrative

22  Hearings of the Department of Management Services. The

23  decision of the administrative law judge shall be final,

24  except that any party aggrieved by the finding and decision

25  rendered by the administrative law judge shall have the right

26  to bring a civil action in the circuit court. In such an

27  action, the court shall receive the records of the

28  administrative hearing and shall hear additional evidence at

29  the request of either party. In the alternative, any party

30  aggrieved by the finding and decision rendered by the

31  administrative law judge shall have the right to request an

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 1  impartial review of the administrative law judge's order by

 2  the district court of appeal as provided by s. 120.68.

 3  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, during the pendency

 4  of any proceeding conducted pursuant to this section, unless

 5  the district school board and the parents otherwise agree, the

 6  student shall remain in his or her then-current educational

 7  assignment or, if applying for initial admission to a public

 8  school, shall be assigned, with the consent of the parents, in

 9  the public school program until all such proceedings have been

10  completed.

11         (f)(6)  In providing for the education of exceptional

12  students, the district school superintendent, principals, and

13  teachers shall utilize the regular school facilities and adapt

14  them to the needs of exceptional students to the maximum

15  extent appropriate. Segregation of exceptional students shall

16  occur only if the nature or severity of the exceptionality is

17  such that education in regular classes with the use of

18  supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved

19  satisfactorily.

20         (g)(7)  In addition to the services agreed to in a

21  student's individual education plan, the district school

22  superintendent shall fully inform the parent of a student

23  having a physical or developmental disability of all available

24  services that are appropriate for the student's disability.

25  The superintendent shall provide the student's parent with a

26  summary of the student's rights.

27         (2)(a)  An exceptional student with a disability who

28  resides in a residential facility and receives special

29  instruction or services is considered a resident of the state

30  in which the student's parent is a resident. The cost of such

31  instruction, facilities, and services for a nonresident

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 1  student with a disability shall be provided by the placing

 2  authority in the student's state of residence, such as a

 3  public school entity, other placing authority, or parent. A

 4  nonresident student with a disability may not be reported by

 5  any school district for FTE funding in the Florida Education

 6  Finance Program.

 7         (b)  The Department of Education shall provide to each

 8  school district a statement of the specific limitations of the

 9  district's financial obligation for exceptional students with

10  disabilities under federal and state law. The department shall

11  also provide to each school district technical assistance as

12  necessary for developing a local plan to impose on a student's

13  home state the fiscal responsibility for educating a

14  nonresident exceptional student with a disability.

15         (c)  The Department of Education shall develop a

16  process by which a school district must, before providing

17  services to an exceptional student with a disability who

18  resides in a residential facility in this state, review the

19  residency of the student. The residential facility, not the

20  district, is responsible for billing and collecting from a

21  nonresidential student's home state payment for the student's

22  educational and related services.

23         (d)  This subsection applies to any nonresident student

24  with a disability who resides in a residential facility and

25  who receives instruction as an exceptional student with a

26  disability in any type of residential facility in this state,

27  including, but not limited to, a public school, a private

28  school, a group home facility as defined in s. 393.063, an

29  intensive residential treatment program for children and

30  adolescents as defined in s. 395.002, a facility as defined in

31  s. 394.455, an intermediate care facility for the

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 1  developmentally disabled or ICF/DD as defined in s. 393.063 or

 2  s. 400.960, or a community residential home as defined in s.

 3  419.001.

 4         Section 24.  Subsection (3) of section 1003.58, Florida

 5  Statutes, is amended to read:

 6         1003.58  Students in residential care facilities.--Each

 7  district school board shall provide educational programs

 8  according to rules of the State Board of Education to students

 9  who reside in residential care facilities operated by the

10  Department of Children and Family Services.

11         (3)  The district school board shall have full and

12  complete authority in the matter of the assignment and

13  placement of such students in educational programs. The parent

14  of an exceptional student shall have the same due process

15  rights as are provided under s. 1003.57(1)(e) s. 1003.57(5).

16  

17  Notwithstanding the provisions herein, the educational program

18  at the Marianna Sunland Center in Jackson County shall be

19  operated by the Department of Education, either directly or

20  through grants or contractual agreements with other public or

21  duly accredited educational agencies approved by the

22  Department of Education.

23         Section 25.  Section 1003.576, Florida Statutes, is

24  created to read:

25         1003.576  Individual education plans for exceptional

26  students.--The Department of Education shall develop an

27  individual education plan (IEP) form for use in developing and

28  implementing individual education plans for exceptional

29  students. The IEP form must have a streamlined format and, to

30  provide for the use of an existing IEP form when a student

31  transfers from one school district to another, the IEP form

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 1  developed by the department must be used in each school

 2  district in the state.

 3         Section 26.  Section 1004.64, Florida Statutes, is

 4  created to read:

 5         1004.64  Florida Center for Reading Research.--There is

 6  created at the Florida State University, the Florida Center

 7  for Reading Research (FCRR). The center shall include two

 8  outreach centers, one at a central Florida community college

 9  and one at a south Florida state university. The center and

10  the outreach centers, under the center's leadership, shall:

11         (1)  Provide technical assistance and support to all

12  school districts and schools in this state in the

13  implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction,

14  assessments, programs, and professional development.

15         (2) Conduct applied research that will have an

16  immediate impact on policy and practices related to literacy

17  instruction and assessment in this state with an emphasis on

18  struggling readers and reading in the content area strategies

19  and methods for secondary teachers.

20         (3)  Conduct basic research on reading, reading growth,

21  reading assessment, and reading instruction which will

22  contribute to scientific knowledge about reading.

23         (4)  Develop frameworks for comprehensive reading

24  intervention courses for possible use in middle schools and

25  secondary schools.

26         (5)  Develop frameworks for professional development

27  activities, using multiple delivery methods for teaching

28  reading in the content area.

29         (6)  Disseminate information about research-based

30  practices related to literacy instruction, assessment, and

31  programs for students in preschool through grade 12.

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 1         (7)  Collect, manage, and report on assessment

 2  information from screening, progress monitoring, and outcome

 3  assessments through the Florida Progress Monitoring and

 4  Reporting Network. The network is a statewide resource that is

 5  operated to provide valid and timely reading assessment data

 6  for parents, teachers, principals, and district-level and

 7  state-level staff in the management of instruction at the

 8  individual, classroom, and school levels.

 9         Section 27.  Subsection (4) of section 1006.09, Florida

10  Statutes, is amended to read:

11         1006.09  Duties of school principal relating to student

12  discipline and school safety.--

13         (4)  When a student has been the victim of a violent

14  crime perpetrated by another student who attends the same

15  school, the school principal shall make full and effective use

16  of the provisions of subsection (2) and s. 1006.13(5). A

17  school principal who fails to comply with this subsection

18  shall be ineligible for any portion of the performance pay

19  policy incentive under s. 1012.2313(2)(b) s. 1012.22(1)(c).

20  However, if any party responsible for notification fails to

21  properly notify the school, the school principal shall be

22  eligible for the incentive.

23         Section 28.  Section 1007.21, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         1007.21  Readiness for postsecondary education and the

26  workplace.--

27         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that students

28  and parents develop academic set early achievement and career

29  goals for the student's post-high-school post-high school

30  experience during the middle grades. This section sets forth a

31  model which schools, through their school advisory councils,

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 1  may choose to implement to ensure that students are ready for

 2  postsecondary education and the workplace. If such a program

 3  is adopted, students and their parents shall have the option

 4  of participating in this model to plan the student's secondary

 5  level course of study. Parents and students are to become

 6  partners with school personnel in career exploration and

 7  educational decisionmaking choice. Clear academic course

 8  expectations that emphasize rigorous coursework shall be made

 9  available to all students by allowing both student and parent

10  choice.

11         (2)(a)  Students entering the 9th grade and their

12  parents shall have developed during the middle grades a 4- to

13  5-year academic and career plan based on postsecondary and

14  career be active participants in choosing an

15  end-of-high-school student destination based upon both student

16  and parent goals. Alternate career and academic Four or more

17  destinations should be considered available with bridges

18  between destinations to enable students to shift academic and

19  career priorities if destinations should they choose to change

20  goals. The destinations shall accommodate the needs of

21  students served in exceptional education programs to the

22  extent appropriate for individual students. Exceptional

23  education students may continue to follow the courses outlined

24  in the district school board student progression plan.

25  Participating Students and their parents shall choose among

26  destinations, which must include:

27         1.  Four-year college or university, community college

28  plus university, or military academy degree.

29         2.  Two-year postsecondary degree.

30         3.  Postsecondary career certificate.

31         4.  Immediate employment or entry-level military.

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 1         5.  A combination of the above.

 2         (b)  The student progression model toward a chosen

 3  destination shall include:

 4         1.  A "path" of core courses leading to each of the

 5  destinations provided in paragraph (a).

 6         2.  A recommended group of electives which shall help

 7  define each path.

 8         3.  Provisions for a teacher, school administrator,

 9  other school staff member, or community volunteer to be

10  assigned to a student as an "academic advocate" if parental

11  involvement is lacking.

12         (c)  The common placement test authorized in ss.

13  1001.03(10) and 1008.30 or a similar test may be administered

14  to all high school second semester sophomores who have chosen

15  one of the four destinations.  The results of the placement

16  test shall be used to target additional instructional needs in

17  reading, writing, and mathematics prior to graduation.

18         (d)  Ample opportunity shall be provided for students

19  to move from one destination to another, and some latitude

20  shall exist within each destination, to meet the individual

21  needs of students.

22         (e)  Destinations specified in subparagraphs (a)1., 2.,

23  and 3. shall support the goals of the Tech Prep program.

24  Students participating in Tech Prep shall be enrolled in

25  articulated, sequential programs of study that include a

26  technical component and at least a minimum of a postsecondary

27  certificate or 2-year degree.

28         (f)  In order for these destinations to be attainable,

29  the business community shall be encouraged to support

30  real-world internships and apprenticeships.

31  

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 1         (g)  All students shall be encouraged to take part in

 2  service learning opportunities.

 3         (h)  High school equivalency diploma preparation

 4  programs shall not be a choice for high school students

 5  leading to any of the four destinations provided in paragraph

 6  (a) since the appropriate coursework, counseling component,

 7  and career preparation cannot be ensured.

 8         (i)  Schools shall ensure that students and parents are

 9  made aware of the destinations available and provide the

10  necessary coursework to assist the student in reaching the

11  chosen destination.  Students and parents shall be made aware

12  of the student's progress toward the chosen destination.

13         (j)  The Department of Education shall offer technical

14  assistance to school districts to ensure that the destinations

15  offered also meet the academic standards adopted by the state.

16         (3)(a)  Access to Level I courses for graduation credit

17  and for pursuit of a declared destination shall be limited to

18  only those students for whom assessment indicates a more

19  rigorous course of study would be inappropriate.

20         (b)  The school principal shall:

21         1.  Designate a member of the existing instructional or

22  administrative staff to serve as a specialist to help

23  coordinate the use of student achievement strategies to help

24  students succeed in their coursework. The specialist shall

25  also assist teachers in integrating the academic and career

26  curricula, utilizing technology, providing feedback regarding

27  student achievement, and implementing the Blueprint for Career

28  Preparation and Tech Prep programs.

29         2.  Institute strategies to eliminate reading, writing,

30  and mathematics deficiencies of secondary students.

31  

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 1         Section 29.  Subsections (5) and (16) of section

 2  1007.271, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

 3         1007.271  Dual enrollment programs.--

 4         (5)  Each district school board shall inform all

 5  secondary students of dual enrollment as an educational option

 6  and mechanism for acceleration. Students shall be informed of

 7  eligibility criteria, the option for taking dual enrollment

 8  courses beyond the regular school year, and the minimum

 9  academic credits required for graduation. District school

10  boards shall annually assess the demand for dual enrollment

11  and other advanced courses, and the district school board

12  shall consider strategies and programs to meet that demand and

13  include access to dual enrollment on the high school campus

14  whenever possible. Alternative grade calculation, weighting

15  systems, or information regarding student education options

16  which discriminates against dual enrollment courses are

17  prohibited.

18         (16)  School districts and community colleges must

19  weigh college-level dual enrollment courses the same as honors

20  courses and advanced placement, International Baccalaureate,

21  and AICE courses when grade point averages are calculated.

22  Alternative grade calculation or weighting systems that

23  discriminate against dual enrollment courses are prohibited.

24         Section 30.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (1),

25  paragraphs (c) and (e) of subsection (3), and subsection (9)

26  of section 1008.22, Florida Statutes, are amended, paragraph

27  (g) is added to subsection (3) of that section, present

28  subsection (10) of that section is redesignated as subsection

29  (11), and a new subsection (10) is added to that section, to

30  read:

31  

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 1         1008.22  Student assessment program for public

 2  schools.--

 3         (1)  PURPOSE.--The primary purposes of the student

 4  assessment program are to provide information needed to

 5  improve the public schools by enhancing the learning gains of

 6  all students and to inform parents of the educational progress

 7  of their public school children.  The program must be designed

 8  to:

 9         (f)  Provide information on the performance of Florida

10  students compared with that of other students others across

11  the United States.

12         (3)  STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.--The commissioner

13  shall design and implement a statewide program of educational

14  assessment that provides information for the improvement of

15  the operation and management of the public schools, including

16  schools operating for the purpose of providing educational

17  services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs.

18  The commissioner may enter into contracts for the continued

19  administration of the assessment, testing, and evaluation

20  programs authorized and funded by the Legislature. Contracts

21  may be initiated in 1 fiscal year and continue into the next

22  and may be paid from the appropriations of either or both

23  fiscal years. The commissioner is authorized to negotiate for

24  the sale or lease of tests, scoring protocols, test scoring

25  services, and related materials developed pursuant to law.

26  Pursuant to the statewide assessment program, the commissioner

27  shall:

28         (c)  Develop and implement a student achievement

29  testing program known as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment

30  Test (FCAT) as part of the statewide assessment program, to be

31  administered annually in grades 3 through 10 to measure

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 1  reading, writing, science, and mathematics. Other content

 2  areas may be included as directed by the commissioner. The

 3  assessment of reading and mathematics shall be administered

 4  annually in grades 3 through 10. The assessment of writing and

 5  science shall be administered at least once at the elementary,

 6  middle, and high school levels. The commissioner must document

 7  the procedures used to ensure that the versions of the FCAT

 8  which are taken by students retaking the grade 10 FCAT are

 9  equally as challenging and difficult as the tests taken by

10  students in grade 10 which contain performance tasks. The

11  testing program must be designed so that:

12         1.  The tests measure student skills and competencies

13  adopted by the State Board of Education as specified in

14  paragraph (a). The tests must measure and report student

15  proficiency levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and

16  science. The commissioner shall provide for the tests to be

17  developed or obtained, as appropriate, through contracts and

18  project agreements with private vendors, public vendors,

19  public agencies, postsecondary educational institutions, or

20  school districts. The commissioner shall obtain input with

21  respect to the design and implementation of the testing

22  program from state educators and the public.

23         2.  The testing program will include a combination of

24  norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests and include, to

25  the extent determined by the commissioner, questions that

26  require the student to produce information or perform tasks in

27  such a way that the skills and competencies he or she uses can

28  be measured. Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year for grade

29  10, and the 2007-2008 school year for all grades, all FCAT

30  test items must be machine-scorable, except for the writing

31  assessment required by subparagraph 3.

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 1         3.  Each testing program, whether at the elementary,

 2  middle, or high school level, includes a test of writing in

 3  which students are required to produce writings that are then

 4  scored by appropriate methods.

 5         4.  A score is designated for each subject area tested,

 6  below which score a student's performance is deemed

 7  inadequate. The school districts shall provide appropriate

 8  remedial instruction to students who score below these levels.

 9         5.  Except as provided in s. 1003.43(11)(b), students

10  must earn a passing score on the grade 10 assessment test

11  described in this paragraph or on an alternate assessment as

12  described in subsection (9) in reading, writing, and

13  mathematics to qualify for a regular high school diploma. The

14  State Board of Education shall designate a passing score for

15  each part of the grade 10 assessment test. In establishing

16  passing scores, the state board shall consider any possible

17  negative impact of the test on minority students. All students

18  who took the grade 10 FCAT during the 2000-2001 school year

19  shall be required to earn the passing scores in reading and

20  mathematics established by the State Board of Education for

21  the March 2001 test administration. Such students who did not

22  earn the established passing scores and must repeat the grade

23  10 FCAT are required to earn the passing scores established

24  for the March 2001 test administration. All students who take

25  the grade 10 FCAT for the first time in March 2002 shall be

26  required to earn the passing scores in reading and mathematics

27  established by the State Board of Education for the March 2002

28  test administration. The State Board of Education shall adopt

29  rules which specify the passing scores for the grade 10 FCAT.

30  Any such rules, which have the effect of raising the required

31  passing scores, shall only apply to students taking the grade

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 1  10 FCAT for the first time after such rules are adopted by the

 2  State Board of Education.

 3         6.  Participation in the testing program is mandatory

 4  for all students attending public school, including students

 5  served in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, except as

 6  otherwise prescribed by the commissioner. If a student does

 7  not participate in the statewide assessment, the district must

 8  notify the student's parent and provide the parent with

 9  information regarding the implications of such

10  nonparticipation. If modifications are made in the student's

11  instruction to provide accommodations that would not be

12  permitted on the statewide assessment tests, the district must

13  notify the student's parent of the implications of such

14  instructional modifications. A parent must provide signed

15  consent for a student to receive instructional modifications

16  that would not be permitted on the statewide assessments and

17  must acknowledge in writing that he or she understands the

18  implications of such accommodations. The State Board of

19  Education shall adopt rules, based upon recommendations of the

20  commissioner, for the provision of test accommodations and

21  modifications of procedures as necessary for students in

22  exceptional education programs and for students who have

23  limited English proficiency. Accommodations that negate the

24  validity of a statewide assessment are not allowable.

25         7.  A student seeking an adult high school diploma must

26  meet the same testing requirements that a regular high school

27  student must meet.

28         8.  District school boards must provide instruction to

29  prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the skills and

30  competencies necessary for successful grade-to-grade

31  progression and high school graduation. If a student is

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 1  provided with accommodations or modifications that are not

 2  allowable in the statewide assessment program, as described in

 3  the test manuals, the district must inform the parent in

 4  writing and must provide the parent with information regarding

 5  the impact on the student's ability to meet expected

 6  proficiency levels in reading, writing, and math. The

 7  commissioner shall conduct studies as necessary to verify that

 8  the required skills and competencies are part of the district

 9  instructional programs.

10         9.  District school boards must provide opportunities

11  for students to retake the FCAT following enrollment in summer

12  bridge academies pursuant to s. 1003.415(4).

13         10.9.  The Department of Education must develop, or

14  select, and implement a common battery of assessment tools

15  that will be used in all juvenile justice programs in the

16  state. These tools must accurately measure the skills and

17  competencies established in the Florida Sunshine State

18  Standards.

19  

20  The commissioner may design and implement student testing

21  programs, for any grade level and subject area, necessary to

22  effectively monitor educational achievement in the state.

23         (e)  Conduct ongoing research and analysis of student

24  achievement data, including, without limitation, monitoring

25  trends in student achievement by grade level and overall

26  student achievement, identifying school programs that are

27  successful, and analyzing correlates of school achievement.

28         (g)  Encourage and assist school districts in

29  developing and establishing secondary school end-of-course

30  assessments. Such assessment shall be based on identified

31  course competencies and end-of-course expected outcomes and

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 1  may be administered by performance or alternative methods

 2  other than paper and pencil.

 3         (9)  EQUIVALENCIES FOR STANDARDIZED TESTS.--

 4         (a)  The State Board of Education shall conduct

 5  concordance studies, as necessary, in order to determine

 6  scores on the SAT and the ACT which are equivalent to those

 7  required on the FCAT for high school graduation pursuant to s.

 8  1003.429(6)(a) or s. 1003.43(5)(a).

 9         (b)(a)  The Commissioner of Education shall approve the

10  use of the SAT and ACT tests as alternative assessments to the

11  grade 10 FCAT for the 2003-2004 school year. Students who

12  attain scores on the SAT or ACT which equate to the passing

13  scores on the grade 10 FCAT for purposes of high school

14  graduation shall satisfy the assessment requirement for a

15  standard high school diploma as provided in s. 1003.429(6)(a)

16  or s. 1003.43(5)(a) for the 2003-2004 school year if the

17  students meet the requirement in paragraph (c) (b).

18         (c)(b)  A student shall be required to take each

19  subject area of the grade 10 FCAT a total of three times

20  without earning a passing score in order to use the

21  corresponding subject area scores on an alternative assessment

22  pursuant to paragraph (b) (a). This requirement shall not

23  apply to a new student who enters is a new student to the

24  public school system in grade 12, who may take the FCAT or use

25  approved score equivalencies for the purpose of fulfilling the

26  graduation requirement.

27         (10)  REPORTS.--The Department of Education shall

28  annually provide a report to the Governor, the President of

29  the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on

30  the following:

31  

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 1         (a)  Longitudinal performance of students in

 2  mathematics and reading.

 3         (b)  Longitudinal performance of students by grade

 4  level in mathematics and reading.

 5         (c)  Longitudinal performance regarding efforts to

 6  close the achievement gap.

 7         (d)  Longitudinal performance of students on the

 8  norm-referenced component of the FCAT.

 9         (e)  Other student performance data based on national

10  norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, when

11  available.

12         Section 31.  Subsection (4) of section 1008.25, Florida

13  Statutes, is amended to read:

14         1008.25  Public school student progression; remedial

15  instruction; reporting requirements.--

16         (4)  ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION.--

17         (a)  Each student must participate in the statewide

18  assessment tests required by s. 1008.22. Each student who does

19  not meet specific levels of performance as determined by the

20  district school board in reading, writing, science, and

21  mathematics for each grade level, or who scores below Level 3

22  in reading or math does not meet specific levels of

23  performance as determined by the commissioner on statewide

24  assessments at selected grade levels, must be provided with

25  additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of

26  the student's difficulty, the and areas of academic need, and

27  strategies for appropriate intervention and instruction.

28         (b)  The school in which the student is enrolled must

29  develop, in consultation with the student's parent, and must

30  implement an academic improvement plan designed to assist the

31  student in meeting state and district expectations for

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 1  proficiency. The For a student for whom a personalized

 2  academic and career plan must be incorporated into an academic

 3  improvement plan required for any secondary student middle

 4  school success plan is required pursuant to s. 1003.415, the

 5  middle school success plan must be incorporated in the

 6  student's academic improvement plan. Beginning with the

 7  2006-2007 2002-2003 school year, if the student has been

 8  identified as having a deficiency in reading or math, the

 9  academic improvement plan shall identify the student's

10  specific areas of deficiency or skills gaps in math and

11  reading phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension,

12  and vocabulary; the desired levels of performance in these

13  areas; and the instructional and support services to be

14  provided to meet the desired levels of performance. Schools

15  shall also provide for the frequent monitoring of the

16  student's progress in meeting the desired levels of

17  performance. District school boards shall assist schools and

18  teachers to implement research-based reading and math

19  activities and instructional strategies that have been shown

20  to be successful with in teaching reading to low-performing

21  students. Intensive remedial instruction provided during

22  middle and high school to students scoring at Level I on the

23  most recently administered FCAT may not be in lieu of English

24  and mathematics credits required for graduation.

25         (c)  Upon subsequent evaluation, if the documented

26  deficiency has not been remediated in accordance with the

27  academic improvement plan, the student may be retained. Each

28  student who does not meet the minimum performance expectations

29  defined by the Commissioner of Education for the statewide

30  assessment tests in reading, writing, science, and mathematics

31  must continue to be provided with remedial or supplemental

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 1  instruction until the expectations are met or the student

 2  graduates from high school or is not subject to compulsory

 3  school attendance.

 4         Section 32.  Section 1008.301, Florida Statutes, is

 5  repealed.

 6         Section 33.  Section 1008.31, Florida Statutes, is

 7  amended to read:

 8         1008.31  Florida's K-20 education performance

 9  accountability system; legislative intent; performance-based

10  funding; mission, goals, and systemwide measures; public

11  accountability and reporting.--

12         (1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the

13  Legislature that:

14         (a)  The performance accountability system implemented

15  to assess the effectiveness of Florida's seamless K-20

16  education delivery system provide answers to the following

17  questions in relation to its mission and goals:

18         1.  What is the public receiving in return for funds it

19  invests in education?

20         2.  How effectively is Florida's K-20 education system

21  educating its students?

22         3.  How effectively are the major delivery sectors

23  promoting student achievement?

24         4.  How are individual schools and postsecondary

25  education institutions performing their responsibility to

26  educate their students as measured by how students are

27  performing, and how much they are learning, and what their

28  actual completion rates are?

29         (b)  The K-20 education performance accountability

30  system be established as a single, unified accountability

31  system with multiple components, including, but not limited

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 1  to, measures of adequate yearly progress, individual student

 2  learning gains in public schools, school grades, and return on

 3  investment.

 4         (c)  The K-20 education performance accountability

 5  system comply with the accountability requirements of the "No

 6  Child Left Behind Act of 2001," Pub. L. No. 107-110.

 7         (d)  The State Board of Education recommend to the

 8  Legislature systemwide performance standards; the Legislature

 9  establish systemwide performance measures and standards; and

10  the systemwide measures and standards provide Floridians with

11  information on what the public is receiving in return for the

12  funds it invests in education and how well the K-20 system

13  educates its students.

14         (e)  The State Board of Education establish performance

15  measures and set performance standards for individual

16  components of the public education system, including

17  individual schools and postsecondary educational institutions,

18  with measures and standards based primarily on student

19  achievement.

20         (2)  MISSION, GOALS, AND SYSTEMWIDE MEASURES.--

21         (a)  The mission of Florida's K-20 education system

22  shall be to increase the proficiency of all students within

23  one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the

24  opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through

25  learning opportunities and research valued by students,

26  parents, and communities.

27         (b)  The process State Board of Education shall adopt

28  guiding principles for establishing state and sector-specific

29  standards and measures must be:.

30         1.  Focused on student success.

31         2.  Addressable through policy and program changes.

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 1         3.  Efficient and of high quality.

 2         4.  Measurable over time.

 3         5.  Simple to explain and display to the public.

 4         6.  Aligned with other measures and other sectors in

 5  order to support a coordinated K-20 education system.

 6         (c)  The Department State Board of Education shall

 7  maintain an accountability system that measures student

 8  progress toward the following goals:

 9         1.  Highest student achievement, as indicated by

10  evidence of gains in student learning at all levels measured

11  by: student FCAT performance and annual learning gains; the

12  number and percentage of schools that improve at least one

13  school performance grade designation or maintain a school

14  performance grade designation of "A" pursuant to s. 1008.34;

15  graduation or completion rates at all learning levels; and

16  other measures identified in law or rule.

17         2.  Seamless articulation and maximum access, as

18  measured by evidence of progression, readiness, and access by

19  targeted groups of students identified by the Commissioner of

20  Education.: the percentage of students who demonstrate

21  readiness for the educational level they are entering, from

22  kindergarten through postsecondary education and into the

23  workforce; the number and percentage of students needing

24  remediation; the percentage of Floridians who complete

25  associate, baccalaureate, graduate, professional, and

26  postgraduate degrees; the number and percentage of credits

27  that articulate; the extent to which each set of exit-point

28  requirements matches the next set of entrance-point

29  requirements; the degree to which underserved populations

30  access educational opportunity; the extent to which access is

31  

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 1  provided through innovative educational delivery strategies;

 2  and other measures identified in law or rule.

 3         3.  Skilled workforce and economic development, as

 4  measured by evidence of employment and earnings: the number

 5  and percentage of graduates employed in their areas of

 6  preparation; the percentage of Floridians with high school

 7  diplomas and postsecondary education credentials; the

 8  percentage of business and community members who find that

 9  Florida's graduates possess the skills they need; national

10  rankings; and other measures identified in law or rule.

11         4.  Quality efficient services, as measured by evidence

12  of return on investment: cost per completer or graduate;

13  average cost per noncompleter at each educational level; cost

14  disparity across institutions offering the same degrees; the

15  percentage of education customers at each educational level

16  who are satisfied with the education provided; and other

17  measures identified in law or rule.

18         5.  Other goals, as identified by law or rule.

19         (3)  K-20 EDUCATION DATA QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS

20  SYSTEMWIDE DATA COLLECTION.--In order to provide the data

21  required to implement education performance accountability

22  measures in state and federal law, the Commissioner of

23  Education shall initiate and maintain strategies to improve

24  data quality and timeliness.

25         (a)  School districts and public postsecondary

26  educational institutions shall maintain information systems

27  that will provide the State Board of Education, the Board of

28  Governors of the State University System, and the Legislature

29  with information and reports necessary to address the

30  specifications of the accountability system. The State Board

31  of Education shall determine the standards for the required

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 1  data. The level of comprehensiveness and quality shall be no

 2  less than that which was available as of June 30, 2001.

 3         (b)  The Commissioner of Education shall determine the

 4  standards for the required data, monitor data quality, and

 5  measure improvements. The commissioner shall report annually

 6  to the State Board of Education, the Board of Governors of the

 7  State University System, the President of the Senate, and the

 8  Speaker of the House of Representatives the data quality

 9  indicators, ratings for all school districts and public

10  postsecondary educational institutions, and information on

11  Florida's calculation of graduation rates and how this

12  compares to calculation methods by other states.

13         (4)  REPORTING OR DATA COLLECTION.--The department

14  shall coordinate with school districts in developing any

15  reporting or data-collection requirements to address the

16  specifications of the accountability system. Before

17  establishing any new reporting or data-collection

18  requirements, the department shall use any existing data being

19  collected to reduce duplication and minimize paperwork.

20         Section 34.  Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section

21  1008.33, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

22         1008.33  Authority to enforce public school

23  improvement.--It is the intent of the Legislature that all

24  public schools be held accountable for students performing at

25  acceptable levels.  A system of school improvement and

26  accountability that assesses student performance by school,

27  identifies schools in which students are not making adequate

28  progress toward state standards, institutes appropriate

29  measures for enforcing improvement, and provides rewards and

30  sanctions based on performance shall be the responsibility of

31  the State Board of Education.

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 1         (1)  Pursuant to Art. IX of the State Constitution

 2  prescribing the duty of the State Board of Education to

 3  supervise Florida's public school system and notwithstanding

 4  any other statutory provisions to the contrary, the State

 5  Board of Education shall intervene in the operation of a

 6  district school system when one or more schools in the school

 7  district have failed to make adequate progress for 2 school

 8  years in a 4-year period. For purposes of determining when a

 9  school is eligible for state board action and opportunity

10  scholarships for its students, the terms "2 years in any

11  4-year period" and "2 years in a 4-year period" mean that in

12  any year that a school has a grade of "F," the school is

13  eligible for state board action and opportunity scholarships

14  for its students if it also has had a grade of "F" in any of

15  the previous 3 school years. The State Board of Education may

16  determine that the school district or school has not taken

17  steps sufficient for students in the school to be academically

18  well served. Considering recommendations of the Commissioner

19  of Education, the State Board of Education shall recommend

20  action to a district school board intended to improve

21  educational services to students in each school that is

22  designated with a as performance grade of category "F."

23  Recommendations for actions to be taken in the school district

24  shall be made only after thorough consideration of the unique

25  characteristics of a school, which shall include student

26  mobility rates, the number and type of exceptional students

27  enrolled in the school, and the availability of options for

28  improved educational services. The state board shall adopt by

29  rule steps to follow in this process.  Such steps shall

30  provide school districts sufficient time to improve student

31  performance in schools and the opportunity to present evidence

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 1  of assistance and interventions that the district school board

 2  has implemented.

 3         (2)  The State Board of Education may recommend one or

 4  more of the following actions to district school boards to

 5  enable students in schools designated with a as performance

 6  grade of category "F" to be academically well served by the

 7  public school system:

 8         (a)  Provide additional resources, change certain

 9  practices, and provide additional assistance if the state

10  board determines the causes of inadequate progress to be

11  related to school district policy or practice;

12         (b)  Implement a plan that satisfactorily resolves the

13  education equity problems in the school;

14         (c)  Contract for the educational services of the

15  school, or reorganize the school at the end of the school year

16  under a new school principal who is authorized to hire new

17  staff and implement a plan that addresses the causes of

18  inadequate progress;

19         (d)  Allow parents of students in the school to send

20  their children to another district school of their choice; or

21         (e)  Other action appropriate to improve the school's

22  performance.

23         (4)  The State Board of Education may require the

24  Department of Education or Chief Financial Officer to withhold

25  any transfer of state funds to the school district if, within

26  the timeframe specified in state board action, the school

27  district has failed to comply with the action ordered to

28  improve the district's low-performing schools. Withholding the

29  transfer of funds shall occur only after all other recommended

30  actions for school improvement have failed to improve

31  performance. The State Board of Education may impose the same

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 1  penalty on any district school board that fails to develop and

 2  implement a plan for assistance and intervention for

 3  low-performing schools as specified in s. 1001.42(16)(d) s.

 4  1001.42(16)(c).

 5         Section 35.  Section 1008.34, Florida Statutes, is

 6  amended to read:

 7         1008.34  School grading system; school report cards;

 8  district performance grade.--

 9         (1)  ANNUAL REPORTS.--The Commissioner of Education

10  shall prepare annual reports of the results of the statewide

11  assessment program which describe student achievement in the

12  state, each district, and each school. The commissioner shall

13  prescribe the design and content of these reports, which must

14  include, without limitation, descriptions of the performance

15  of all schools participating in the assessment program and all

16  of their major student populations as determined by the

17  Commissioner of Education, and must also include the median

18  scores of all eligible students who scored at or in the lowest

19  25th percentile of the state in the previous school year;

20  provided, however, that the provisions of s. 1002.22

21  pertaining to student records apply to this section.

22         (2)  SCHOOL GRADES PERFORMANCE GRADE CATEGORIES.--The

23  annual report shall identify schools as having one of the

24  following grades, being in one of the following grade

25  categories defined according to rules of the State Board of

26  Education:

27         (a)  "A," schools making excellent progress.

28         (b)  "B," schools making above average progress.

29         (c)  "C," schools making satisfactory progress.

30         (d)  "D," schools making less than satisfactory

31  progress.

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 1         (e)  "F," schools failing to make adequate progress.

 2  

 3  Each school designated with a in performance grade of category

 4  "A," making excellent progress, or having improved at least

 5  two performance grade levels categories, shall have greater

 6  authority over the allocation of the school's total budget

 7  generated from the FEFP, state categoricals, lottery funds,

 8  grants, and local funds, as specified in state board rule. The

 9  rule must provide that the increased budget authority shall

10  remain in effect until the school's performance grade

11  declines.

12         (3)  DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES PERFORMANCE GRADE

13  CATEGORIES.--Each school that has students who are tested and

14  included in the school grading system, except an alternative

15  school that receives a school-improvement rating pursuant to

16  s. 1008.341, shall receive a school grade; however, an

17  alternative school may choose to receive a school grade under

18  this section in lieu of a school-improvement rating.

19  Additionally, a school that serves any combination of students

20  in kindergarten through grade 3 which does not receive a

21  school grade because its students are not tested and included

22  in the school grading system shall receive the school grade

23  designation of a K-3 feeder pattern school identified by the

24  Department of Education and verified by the school district. A

25  school feeder pattern exists if at least 60 percent of the

26  students in the school serving a combination of students in

27  kindergarten through grade 3 are scheduled to be assigned to

28  the graded school. School grades performance grade category

29  designations itemized in subsection (2) shall be based on the

30  following:

31  

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 1         (a)  Criteria Timeframes.--A school's grade shall be

 2  based on a combination of:

 3         1.  Student achievement scores School performance grade

 4  category designations shall be based on the school's current

 5  year performance and the school's annual learning gains.

 6         2.  A school's performance grade category designation

 7  shall be based on a combination of student achievement scores,

 8  Student learning gains as measured by annual FCAT assessments

 9  in grades 3 through 10., and

10         3.  Improvement of the lowest 25th percentile of

11  students in the school in reading, math, or writing on the

12  FCAT Reading, unless these students are exhibiting performing

13  above satisfactory performance.

14         (b)  Student assessment data.--Student assessment data

15  used in determining school grades performance grade categories

16  shall include:

17         1.  The aggregate scores of all eligible students

18  enrolled in the school who have been assessed on the FCAT.

19         2.  The aggregate scores of all eligible students

20  enrolled in the school who have been assessed on the FCAT,

21  including Florida Writes, and who have scored at or in the

22  lowest 25th percentile of students in the school in reading,

23  math, or writing, unless these students are exhibiting

24  performing above satisfactory performance.

25         3.  The achievement scores and learning gains of

26  eligible students attending alternative schools that provide

27  dropout-prevention and academic-intervention services pursuant

28  to s. 1003.53. The term "eligible students" in this

29  subparagraph does not include students attending an

30  alternative school who are subject to district school board

31  policies for expulsion for repeated or serious offenses, who

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 1  are in dropout-retrieval programs serving students who have

 2  officially been designated as dropouts, or who are in programs

 3  operated or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

 4  The student performance data for eligible students identified

 5  in this subparagraph shall be included in the calculation of

 6  the home school's grade. For purposes of this section and s.

 7  1008.341, "home school" means the school the student was

 8  attending when assigned to an alternative school. If an

 9  alternative school chooses to be graded pursuant to this

10  section, student performance data for eligible students

11  identified in this subparagraph may not be included in the

12  home school's grade but shall be included only in the

13  calculation of the alternative school's improvement rating.

14  School districts must ensure collaboration between the home

15  school and the alternative school in order to promote student

16  success.

17  

18  The Department of Education shall study the effects of

19  mobility on the performance of highly mobile students and

20  recommend programs to improve the performance of such

21  students. The State Board of Education shall adopt appropriate

22  criteria for each school performance grade category. The

23  criteria must also give added weight to student achievement in

24  reading. Schools designated with a as performance grade of

25  category "C," making satisfactory progress, shall be required

26  to demonstrate that adequate progress has been made by

27  students in the school who are in the lowest 25th percentile

28  in reading, math, or writing on the FCAT, including Florida

29  Writes, unless these students are exhibiting performing above

30  satisfactory performance.

31  

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 1         (4)  SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RATINGS.--The annual report

 2  shall identify each school's performance as having improved,

 3  remained the same, or declined. This school improvement rating

 4  shall be based on a comparison of the current year's and

 5  previous year's student and school performance data. Schools

 6  that improve at least one performance grade level category are

 7  eligible for school recognition awards pursuant to s. 1008.36.

 8         (5)  SCHOOL REPORT CARD PERFORMANCE GRADE CATEGORY AND

 9  IMPROVEMENT RATING REPORTS.--The Department of Education shall

10  annually develop, in collaboration with the school districts,

11  a school report card to be delivered to parents throughout

12  each school district. The report card shall include the

13  school's grade, information regarding school improvement, an

14  explanation of school performance as evaluated by the federal

15  No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and indicators of return on

16  investment. School performance grade category designations and

17  improvement ratings shall apply to each school's performance

18  for the year in which performance is measured. Each school's

19  report card designation and rating shall be published annually

20  by the department on its website, of Education and the school

21  district shall provide the school report card to each parent.

22  Parents shall be entitled to an easy-to-read report card about

23  the designation and rating of the school in which their child

24  is enrolled.

25         (6)  RULES.--The State Board of Education shall adopt

26  rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the

27  provisions of this section.

28         (6)(7)  PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING.--The Legislature may

29  factor in the performance of schools in calculating any

30  performance-based funding policy that is provided for annually

31  in the General Appropriations Act.

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 1         (7)(8)  DISTRICT PERFORMANCE GRADE.--The annual report

 2  required by subsection (1) shall include district performance

 3  grades, which shall consist of weighted district average

 4  grades, by level, for all elementary schools, middle schools,

 5  and high schools in the district. A district's weighted

 6  average grade shall be calculated by weighting individual

 7  school grades determined pursuant to subsection (2) by school

 8  enrollment.

 9         Section 36.  Section 1008.341, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         1008.341  School-improvement rating for alternative

12  schools.--

13         (1)  ANNUAL REPORTS.--The Commissioner of Education

14  shall prepare an annual report on the performance of each

15  school receiving a school-improvement rating pursuant to this

16  section if the provisions of s. 1002.22 pertaining to student

17  records apply.

18         (2)  SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RATING.--Alternative schools

19  that provide dropout-prevention and academic-intervention

20  services pursuant to s. 1003.53 shall receive a

21  school-improvement rating pursuant to this section. The

22  school-improvement rating shall identify schools as having one

23  of the following ratings defined according to rules of the

24  State Board of Education:

25         (a)  "Improving" means schools with students making

26  more academic progress than when the students were served in

27  their home schools.

28         (b)  "Maintaining" means schools with students making

29  progress equivalent to the progress made when the students

30  were served in their home schools.

31  

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 1         (c)  "Declining" means schools with students making

 2  less academic progress than when the students were served in

 3  their home schools.

 4  

 5  The school-improvement rating shall be based on a comparison

 6  of student performance data for the current year and previous

 7  year. Schools that improve at least one level or maintain an

 8  "improving" rating pursuant to this section are eligible for

 9  school recognition awards pursuant to s. 1008.36.

10         (3)  DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL-IMPROVEMENT RATING.--Student

11  data used in determining an alternative school's

12  school-improvement rating shall include:

13         (a)  The aggregate scores of all eligible students who

14  were assigned to and enrolled in the school during the October

15  or February FTE count, who have been assessed on the FCAT, and

16  who have FCAT or comparable scores for the preceding school

17  year.

18         (b)  The aggregate scores of all eligible students who

19  were assigned to and enrolled in the school during the October

20  or February FTE count, who have been assessed on the FCAT,

21  including Florida Writes, and who have scored in the lowest

22  25th percentile of students in the state on FCAT Reading.

23  

24  The assessment scores of students who are subject to district

25  school board policies for expulsion for repeated or serious

26  offenses, who are in dropout-retrieval programs serving

27  students who have officially been designated as dropouts, or

28  who are in programs operated or contracted by the Department

29  of Juvenile Justice may not be included in an alternative

30  school's school improvement rating.

31  

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 1         (4)  IDENTIFICATION OF STUDENT LEARNING GAINS.--For

 2  each alternative school receiving a school-improvement rating,

 3  the Department of Education shall annually identify the

 4  percentage of students making learning gains as compared to

 5  the percentage of the same students making learning gains in

 6  their home schools in the year prior to being assigned to the

 7  alternative school.

 8         (5)  SCHOOL REPORT CARD.--The Department of Education

 9  shall annually develop, in collaboration with the school

10  districts, a school repot card for alternative schools to be

11  delivered to parents throughout each school district. The

12  report card shall include the school-improvement rating,

13  identification of student learning gains, student attendance

14  data, information regarding school improvement, an explanation

15  of school performance as evaluated by the federal No Child

16  Left Behind Act of 2001, and indicators of return on

17  investment.

18         Section 37.  Subsection (5), paragraphs (b) and (d) of

19  subsection (6), and subsection (7) of section 1008.345,

20  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

21         1008.345  Implementation of state system of school

22  improvement and education accountability.--

23         (5)  The commissioner shall report to the Legislature

24  and recommend changes in state policy necessary to foster

25  school improvement and education accountability. Included in

26  the report shall be a list of the schools, including schools

27  operating for the purpose of providing educational services to

28  youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, for which

29  district school boards have developed assistance and

30  intervention plans and an analysis of the various strategies

31  used by the school boards. School reports shall be distributed

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 1  pursuant to this subsection and s. 1001.42(16)(f) s.

 2  1001.42(16)(e) and according to rules adopted by the State

 3  Board of Education.

 4         (6)

 5         (b)  Upon request, the department shall provide

 6  technical assistance and training to any school, including any

 7  school operating for the purpose of providing educational

 8  services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs,

 9  school advisory council, district, or district school board

10  for conducting needs assessments, developing and implementing

11  school improvement plans, developing and implementing

12  assistance and intervention plans, or implementing other

13  components of school improvement and accountability. Priority

14  for these services shall be given to schools designated with a

15  as performance grade of category "D" or "F" and school

16  districts in rural and sparsely populated areas of the state.

17         (d)  The department shall assign a community assessment

18  team to each school district with a school designated with a

19  as performance grade of category "D" or "F" to review the

20  school performance data and determine causes for the low

21  performance. The team shall make recommendations to the school

22  board, to the department, and to the State Board of Education

23  for implementing an assistance and intervention plan that will

24  address the causes of the school's low performance. The

25  assessment team shall include, but not be limited to, a

26  department representative, parents, business representatives,

27  educators, and community activists, and shall represent the

28  demographics of the community from which they are appointed.

29         (7)(a)  Schools designated with a in performance grade

30  of category "A," making excellent progress, shall, if

31  

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 1  requested by the school, be given deregulated status as

 2  specified in s. 1003.63(5), (7), (8), (9), and (10).

 3         (b)  Schools that have improved at least two grades

 4  performance grade categories and that meet the criteria of the

 5  Florida School Recognition Program pursuant to s. 1008.36 may

 6  be given deregulated status as specified in s. 1003.63(5),

 7  (7), (8), (9), and (10).

 8         Section 38.  Paragraphs (f), (h), (l), (m), and (n) of

 9  subsection (1) and paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of

10  section 1011.62, Florida Statutes, are amended, present

11  subsections (8) and (9) of that section are redesignated as

12  subsections (9) and (10), respectively, and amended, and a new

13  subsection (8) is added to that section, to read:

14         1011.62  Funds for operation of schools.--If the annual

15  allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each

16  district for operation of schools is not determined in the

17  annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing

18  the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as

19  follows:

20         (1)  COMPUTATION OF THE BASIC AMOUNT TO BE INCLUDED FOR

21  OPERATION.--The following procedure shall be followed in

22  determining the annual allocation to each district for

23  operation:

24         (f)  Supplemental academic instruction; categorical

25  fund.--

26         1.  There is created a categorical fund to provide

27  supplemental academic instruction to students in kindergarten

28  through grade 12.  This paragraph may be cited as the

29  "Supplemental Academic Instruction Categorical Fund."

30         2.  Categorical funds for supplemental academic

31  instruction shall be allocated annually to each school

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 1  district in the amount provided in the General Appropriations

 2  Act.  These funds shall be in addition to the funds

 3  appropriated on the basis of FTE student membership in the

 4  Florida Education Finance Program and shall be included in the

 5  total potential funds of each district.  These funds shall be

 6  used to provide supplemental academic instruction to students

 7  enrolled in the K-12 program. Supplemental instruction

 8  strategies may include, but are not limited to: modified

 9  curriculum, reading instruction, after-school instruction,

10  tutoring, mentoring, class size reduction, extended school

11  year, intensive skills development in summer school, and other

12  methods for improving student achievement. Supplemental

13  instruction may be provided to a student in any manner and at

14  any time during or beyond the regular 180-day term identified

15  by the school as being the most effective and efficient way to

16  best help that student progress from grade to grade and to

17  graduate.

18         3.  Effective with the 1999-2000 fiscal year, funding

19  on the basis of FTE membership beyond the 180-day regular term

20  shall be provided in the FEFP only for students enrolled in

21  juvenile justice education programs or in an education program

22  for juveniles under s. 985.223. Funding for instruction beyond

23  the regular 180-day school year for all other K-12 students

24  shall be provided through the supplemental academic

25  instruction categorical fund and other state, federal, and

26  local fund sources with ample flexibility for schools to

27  provide supplemental instruction to assist students in

28  progressing from grade to grade and graduating.

29         4.  The Florida State University School, as a lab

30  school, is authorized to expend from its FEFP or Lottery

31  Enhancement Trust Fund allocation the cost to the student of

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 1  remediation in reading, writing, or mathematics for any

 2  graduate who requires remediation at a postsecondary

 3  educational institution.

 4         5.  Beginning in the 1999-2000 school year, dropout

 5  prevention programs as defined in ss. 1003.52, 1003.53(1)(a),

 6  (b), and (c), and 1003.54 shall be included in group 1

 7  programs under subparagraph (d)3.

 8         (h)  Small, isolated high schools.--Districts which

 9  levy the maximum nonvoted discretionary millage, exclusive of

10  millage for capital outlay purposes levied pursuant to s.

11  1011.71(2), may calculate full-time equivalent students for

12  small, isolated high schools by multiplying the number of

13  unweighted full-time equivalent students times 2.75; provided

14  the school has attained a state accountability performance

15  grade category of "C" or better, pursuant to s. 1008.34, for

16  the previous school year. For the purpose of this section, the

17  term "small, isolated high school" means any high school which

18  is located no less than 28 miles by the shortest route from

19  another high school; which has been serving students primarily

20  in basic studies provided by sub-subparagraphs (c)1.b. and c.

21  and may include subparagraph (c)4.; and which has a membership

22  of no more than 100 students, but no fewer than 28 students,

23  in grades 9 through 12.

24         (l)  Calculation of additional full-time equivalent

25  membership based on international baccalaureate examination

26  scores of students.--A value of 0.24 full-time equivalent

27  student membership shall be calculated for each student

28  enrolled in an international baccalaureate course who receives

29  a score of 4 or higher on a subject examination. A value of

30  0.3 full-time equivalent student membership shall be

31  calculated for each student who receives an international

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 1  baccalaureate diploma. Such value shall be added to the total

 2  full-time equivalent student membership in basic programs for

 3  grades 9 through 12 in the subsequent fiscal year. The school

 4  district shall distribute to each classroom teacher who

 5  provided international baccalaureate instruction:

 6         1.  A bonus in the amount of $50 for each student

 7  taught by the International Baccalaureate teacher in each

 8  international baccalaureate course who receives a score of 4

 9  or higher on the international baccalaureate examination.

10         2.  An additional bonus of $500 to each International

11  Baccalaureate teacher in a school designated with a

12  performance grade of category "D" or "F" who has at least one

13  student scoring 4 or higher on the international baccalaureate

14  examination, regardless of the number of classes taught or of

15  the number of students scoring a 4 or higher on the

16  international baccalaureate examination.

17  

18  Bonuses awarded to a teacher according to this paragraph shall

19  not exceed $2,000 in any given school year and shall be in

20  addition to any regular wage or other bonus the teacher

21  received or is scheduled to receive.

22         (m)  Calculation of additional full-time equivalent

23  membership based on Advanced International Certificate of

24  Education examination scores of students.--A value of 0.24

25  full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated

26  for each student enrolled in a full-credit Advanced

27  International Certificate of Education course who receives a

28  score of E or higher on a subject examination. A value of 0.12

29  full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated

30  for each student enrolled in a half-credit Advanced

31  International Certificate of Education course who receives a

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 1  score of E or higher on a subject examination. A value of 0.3

 2  full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated

 3  for each student who receives an Advanced International

 4  Certificate of Education diploma. Such value shall be added to

 5  the total full-time equivalent student membership in basic

 6  programs for grades 9 through 12 in the subsequent fiscal

 7  year. The school district shall distribute to each classroom

 8  teacher who provided Advanced International Certificate of

 9  Education instruction:

10         1.  A bonus in the amount of $50 for each student

11  taught by the Advanced International Certificate of Education

12  teacher in each full-credit Advanced International Certificate

13  of Education course who receives a score of E or higher on the

14  Advanced International Certificate of Education examination. A

15  bonus in the amount of $25 for each student taught by the

16  Advanced International Certificate of Education teacher in

17  each half-credit Advanced International Certificate of

18  Education course who receives a score of E or higher on the

19  Advanced International Certificate of Education examination.

20         2.  An additional bonus of $500 to each Advanced

21  International Certificate of Education teacher in a school

22  designated with a performance grade of category "D" or "F" who

23  has at least one student scoring E or higher on the

24  full-credit Advanced International Certificate of Education

25  examination, regardless of the number of classes taught or of

26  the number of students scoring an E or higher on the

27  full-credit Advanced International Certificate of Education

28  examination.

29         3.  Additional bonuses of $250 each to teachers of

30  half-credit Advanced International Certificate of Education

31  classes in a school designated with a performance grade of

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 1  category "D" or "F" which has at least one student scoring an

 2  E or higher on the half-credit Advanced International

 3  Certificate of Education examination in that class. The

 4  maximum additional bonus for a teacher awarded in accordance

 5  with this subparagraph shall not exceed $500 in any given

 6  school year. Teachers receiving an award under subparagraph 2.

 7  are not eligible for a bonus under this subparagraph.

 8  

 9  Bonuses awarded to a teacher according to this paragraph shall

10  not exceed $2,000 in any given school year and shall be in

11  addition to any regular wage or other bonus the teacher

12  received or is scheduled to receive.

13         (n)  Calculation of additional full-time equivalent

14  membership based on college board advanced placement scores of

15  students.--A value of 0.24 full-time equivalent student

16  membership shall be calculated for each student in each

17  advanced placement course who receives a score of 3 or higher

18  on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination for the

19  prior year and added to the total full-time equivalent student

20  membership in basic programs for grades 9 through 12 in the

21  subsequent fiscal year. Each district must allocate at least

22  80 percent of the funds provided to the district for advanced

23  placement instruction, in accordance with this paragraph, to

24  the high school that generates the funds. The school district

25  shall distribute to each classroom teacher who provided

26  advanced placement instruction:

27         1.  A bonus in the amount of $50 for each student

28  taught by the Advanced Placement teacher in each advanced

29  placement course who receives a score of 3 or higher on the

30  College Board Advanced Placement Examination.

31  

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 1         2.  An additional bonus of $500 to each Advanced

 2  Placement teacher in a school designated with a performance

 3  grade of category "D" or "F" who has at least one student

 4  scoring 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement

 5  Examination, regardless of the number of classes taught or of

 6  the number of students scoring a 3 or higher on the College

 7  Board Advanced Placement Examination.

 8  

 9  Bonuses awarded to a teacher according to this paragraph shall

10  not exceed $2,000 in any given school year and shall be in

11  addition to any regular wage or other bonus the teacher

12  received or is scheduled to receive.

13         (4)  COMPUTATION OF DISTRICT REQUIRED LOCAL

14  EFFORT.--The Legislature shall prescribe the aggregate

15  required local effort for all school districts collectively as

16  an item in the General Appropriations Act for each fiscal

17  year. The amount that each district shall provide annually

18  toward the cost of the Florida Education Finance Program for

19  kindergarten through grade 12 programs shall be calculated as

20  follows:

21         (a)  Estimated taxable value calculations.--

22         1.a.  Not later than 2 working days prior to July 19,

23  the Department of Revenue shall certify to the Commissioner of

24  Education its most recent estimate of the taxable value for

25  school purposes in each school district and the total for all

26  school districts in the state for the current calendar year

27  based on the latest available data obtained from the local

28  property appraisers. Not later than July 19, the Commissioner

29  of Education shall compute a millage rate, rounded to the next

30  highest one one-thousandth of a mill, which, when applied to

31  95 percent of the estimated state total taxable value for

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 1  school purposes, would generate the prescribed aggregate

 2  required local effort for that year for all districts. The

 3  Commissioner of Education shall certify to each district

 4  school board the millage rate, computed as prescribed in this

 5  subparagraph, as the minimum millage rate necessary to provide

 6  the district required local effort for that year.

 7         b.  The General Appropriations Act shall direct the

 8  computation of the statewide adjusted aggregate amount for

 9  required local effort for all school districts collectively

10  from ad valorem taxes to ensure that no school district's

11  revenue from required local effort millage will produce more

12  than 90 percent of the district's total Florida Education

13  Finance Program calculation, and the adjustment of the

14  required local effort millage rate of each district that

15  produces more than 90 percent of its total Florida Education

16  Finance Program entitlement to a level that will produce only

17  90 percent of its total Florida Education Finance Program

18  entitlement in the July calculation.

19         2.  As revised data are received from property

20  appraisers, the Department of Revenue shall amend the

21  certification of the estimate of the taxable value for school

22  purposes.  The Commissioner of Education, in administering the

23  provisions of subparagraph (10)(a)2. (9)(a)2., shall use the

24  most recent taxable value for the appropriate year.

25         (b)  Final calculation.--

26         1.  The Department of Revenue shall, upon receipt of

27  the official final assessed value of property from each of the

28  property appraisers, certify to the Commissioner of Education

29  the taxable value total for school purposes in each school

30  district, subject to the provisions of paragraph (d). The

31  commissioner shall use the official final taxable value for

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 1  school purposes for each school district in the final

 2  calculation of the annual Florida Education Finance Program

 3  allocations.

 4         2.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the official

 5  final taxable value for school purposes shall be the taxable

 6  value for school purposes on which the tax bills are computed

 7  and mailed to the taxpayers, adjusted to reflect final

 8  administrative actions of value adjustment boards and judicial

 9  decisions pursuant to part I of chapter 194. By September 1 of

10  each year, the Department of Revenue shall certify to the

11  commissioner the official prior year final taxable value for

12  school purposes. For each county that has not submitted a

13  revised tax roll reflecting final value adjustment board

14  actions and final judicial decisions, the Department of

15  Revenue shall certify the most recent revision of the official

16  taxable value for school purposes. The certified value shall

17  be the final taxable value for school purposes, and no further

18  adjustments shall be made, except those made pursuant to

19  subparagraph (10)(a)2. (9)(a)2.

20         (8)  RESEARCH-BASED READING INSTRUCTION ALLOCATION.--

21         (a)  The research-based reading instruction allocation

22  is created to provide comprehensive reading instruction to

23  students in kindergarten through grade 12.

24         (b)  Funds for comprehensive, research-based reading

25  instruction shall be allocated annually to each school

26  district in the amount provided in the General Appropriations

27  Act. Each eligible school district shall receive the same

28  minimum amount as specified in the General Appropriations Act,

29  and any remaining funds shall be distributed to eligible

30  school districts based on each school district's proportionate

31  share of K-12 base funding.

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 1         (c)  Funds allocated under this subsection must be used

 2  to provide a system of comprehensive reading instruction to

 3  students enrolled in the K-12 programs, which may include the

 4  following:

 5         1.  The provision of highly qualified reading coaches.

 6         2.  Professional development for school district

 7  teachers in scientifically based reading instruction.

 8         3.  The provision of summer reading camps for students

 9  who score at Level 1 on FCAT Reading.

10         4.  The provision of supplemental instructional

11  materials that are grounded in scientifically based reading

12  research.

13         5.  The provision of intensive interventions for middle

14  and high school students reading below grade level.

15         6.  The provision of integration of reading in the

16  content area strategies for all middle and high school

17  students.

18         (d)  Annually, by a date determined by the Department

19  of Education but before May 1, school districts shall submit a

20  K-12 comprehensive reading plan for the specific use of the

21  research-based reading instruction allocation in the format

22  prescribed by the department for review and approval by the

23  Just Read, Florida! Office created pursuant to s. 1001.215.

24  The plan annually submitted by school districts shall be

25  deemed approved unless the department rejects the plan on or

26  before June 1. If a school district and the Just Read,

27  Florida! Office cannot reach agreement on the contents of the

28  plan, the school district may appeal to the State Board of

29  Education for resolution. School districts shall be allowed

30  reasonable flexibility in designing their plans and shall be

31  encouraged to offer reading remediation through innovative

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 1  methods, including career academies. The plan format shall be

 2  developed with input from school district personnel, including

 3  teachers and principals, and shall allow courses in core,

 4  career, and alternative programs that deliver intensive

 5  reading remediation through integrated curricula. No later

 6  than July 1 annually, the department shall release the school

 7  district's allocation of appropriated funds to those districts

 8  having approved plans. A school district that spends 100

 9  percent of this allocation on its approved plan shall be

10  deemed to have been in compliance with the plan. The

11  department may withhold funds upon a determination that

12  reading instruction allocation funds are not being used to

13  implement the approved plan.

14         (9)(8)  QUALITY ASSURANCE GUARANTEE.--The Legislature

15  may annually in the General Appropriations Act determine a

16  percentage increase in funds per K-12 unweighted FTE as a

17  minimum guarantee to each school district. The guarantee shall

18  be calculated from prior year base funding per unweighted FTE

19  student which shall include the adjusted FTE dollars as

20  provided in subsection (10) (9), quality guarantee funds, and

21  actual nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. From

22  the base funding per unweighted FTE, the increase shall be

23  calculated for the current year. The current year funds from

24  which the guarantee shall be determined shall include the

25  adjusted FTE dollars as provided in subsection (10) (9) and

26  potential nonvoted discretionary local effort from taxes. A

27  comparison of current year funds per unweighted FTE to prior

28  year funds per unweighted FTE shall be computed. For those

29  school districts which have less than the legislatively

30  assigned percentage increase, funds shall be provided to

31  guarantee the assigned percentage increase in funds per

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 1  unweighted FTE student. Should appropriated funds be less than

 2  the sum of this calculated amount for all districts, the

 3  commissioner shall prorate each district's allocation. This

 4  provision shall be implemented to the extent specifically

 5  funded.

 6         (10)(9)  TOTAL ALLOCATION OF STATE FUNDS TO EACH

 7  DISTRICT FOR CURRENT OPERATION.--The total annual state

 8  allocation to each district for current operation for the FEFP

 9  shall be distributed periodically in the manner prescribed in

10  the General Appropriations Act.

11         (a)  The basic amount for current operation for the

12  FEFP as determined in subsection (1), multiplied by the

13  district cost differential factor as determined in subsection

14  (2), plus the amounts provided for categorical components

15  within the FEFP, plus the amount for the sparsity supplement

16  as determined in subsection (6), the decline in full-time

17  equivalent students as determined in subsection (7), the

18  research-based reading instruction allocation as determined in

19  subsection (8), and the quality assurance guarantee as

20  determined in subsection (9) (8), less the required local

21  effort as determined in subsection (4). If the funds

22  appropriated for the purpose of funding the total amount for

23  current operation as provided in this paragraph are not

24  sufficient to pay the state requirement in full, the

25  department shall prorate the available state funds to each

26  district in the following manner:

27         1.  Determine the percentage of proration by dividing

28  the sum of the total amount for current operation, as provided

29  in this paragraph for all districts collectively, and the

30  total district required local effort into the sum of the state

31  

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 1  funds available for current operation and the total district

 2  required local effort.

 3         2.  Multiply the percentage so determined by the sum of

 4  the total amount for current operation as provided in this

 5  paragraph and the required local effort for each individual

 6  district.

 7         3.  From the product of such multiplication, subtract

 8  the required local effort of each district; and the remainder

 9  shall be the amount of state funds allocated to the district

10  for current operation.

11         (b)  The amount thus obtained shall be the net annual

12  allocation to each school district. However, if it is

13  determined that any school district received an

14  underallocation or overallocation for any prior year because

15  of an arithmetical error, assessment roll change, full-time

16  equivalent student membership error, or any allocation error

17  revealed in an audit report, the allocation to that district

18  shall be appropriately adjusted. Beginning with audits for the

19  2001-2002 fiscal year, if the adjustment is the result of an

20  audit finding in which group 2 FTE are reclassified to the

21  basic program and the district weighted FTE are over the

22  weighted enrollment ceiling for group 2 programs, the

23  adjustment shall not result in a gain of state funds to the

24  district. If the Department of Education audit adjustment

25  recommendation is based upon controverted findings of fact,

26  the Commissioner of Education is authorized to establish the

27  amount of the adjustment based on the best interests of the

28  state.

29         (c)  The amount thus obtained shall represent the net

30  annual state allocation to each district; however,

31  notwithstanding any of the provisions herein, each district

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 1  shall be guaranteed a minimum level of funding in the amount

 2  and manner prescribed in the General Appropriations Act.

 3         Section 39.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

 4  1011.64, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 5         1011.64  School district minimum classroom expenditure

 6  requirements.--

 7         (2)  For the purpose of implementing the provisions of

 8  this section, the Legislature shall prescribe minimum academic

 9  performance standards and minimum classroom expenditure

10  requirements for districts not meeting such minimum academic

11  performance standards in the General Appropriations Act.

12         (a)  Minimum academic performance standards may be

13  based on, but are not limited to, district performance grades

14  determined pursuant to s. 1008.34(7) s. 1008.34(8).

15         Section 40.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

16  1011.685, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

17         1011.685  Class size reduction; operating categorical

18  fund.--

19         (2)  Class size reduction operating categorical funds

20  shall be used by school districts for the following:

21         (b)  For any lawful operating expenditure, if the

22  district has met the constitutional maximums identified in s.

23  1003.03(1) or the reduction of two students per year required

24  by s. 1003.03(2); however, priority shall be given to increase

25  salaries of classroom teachers as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)

26  and to implement the differentiated-pay provisions detailed in

27  s. 1012.2312 salary career ladder defined in s. 1012.231.

28         Section 41.  Subsection (1) of section 1011.71, Florida

29  Statutes, is amended to read:

30         1011.71  District school tax.--

31  

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 1         (1)  If the district school tax is not provided in the

 2  General Appropriations Act or the substantive bill

 3  implementing the General Appropriations Act, each district

 4  school board desiring to participate in the state allocation

 5  of funds for current operation as prescribed by s. 1011.62(10)

 6  s. 1011.62(9) shall levy on the taxable value for school

 7  purposes of the district, exclusive of millage voted under the

 8  provisions of s. 9(b) or s. 12, Art. VII of the State

 9  Constitution, a millage rate not to exceed the amount

10  certified by the commissioner as the minimum millage rate

11  necessary to provide the district required local effort for

12  the current year, pursuant to s. 1011.62(4)(a)1. In addition

13  to the required local effort millage levy, each district

14  school board may levy a nonvoted current operating

15  discretionary millage. The Legislature shall prescribe

16  annually in the appropriations act the maximum amount of

17  millage a district may levy. The millage rate prescribed shall

18  exceed zero mills but shall not exceed the lesser of 1.6 mills

19  or 25 percent of the millage which is required pursuant to s.

20  1011.62(4), exclusive of millage levied pursuant to subsection

21  (2).

22         Section 42.  Subsection (6) is added to section

23  1012.21, Florida Statutes, to read:

24         1012.21  Department of Education duties; K-12

25  personnel.--

26         (6)  REPORTING.--The Department of Education shall

27  annually post online links to each school district's

28  collective bargaining contracts and the salary and benefits of

29  the personnel or officers of any educator association which

30  were paid by the school district pursuant to s. 1012.22. The

31  

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 1  department shall prescribe the computer format for district

 2  school boards to use in providing the information.

 3         Section 43.  Paragraphs (c), (h), and (i) of subsection

 4  (1) of section 1012.22, Florida Statutes, are amended, and

 5  subsection (3) is added to that section, to read:

 6         1012.22  Public school personnel; powers and duties of

 7  the district school board.--The district school board shall:

 8         (1)  Designate positions to be filled, prescribe

 9  qualifications for those positions, and provide for the

10  appointment, compensation, promotion, suspension, and

11  dismissal of employees as follows, subject to the requirements

12  of this chapter:

13         (c)  Compensation and salary schedules.--

14         1.  The district school board shall adopt a salary

15  schedule or salary schedules designed to furnish incentives

16  for improvement in training and for continued efficient

17  service to be used as a basis for paying all school employees

18  and fix and authorize the compensation of school employees on

19  the basis thereof.

20         2.  A district school board, in determining the salary

21  schedule for instructional personnel, must base a portion of

22  each employee's compensation on performance demonstrated under

23  s. 1012.34, must consider the prior teaching experience of a

24  person who has been designated state teacher of the year by

25  any state in the United States, and must consider prior

26  professional experience in the field of education gained in

27  positions in addition to district level instructional and

28  administrative positions.

29         3.  In developing the salary schedule, the district

30  school board shall seek input from parents, teachers, and

31  representatives of the business community.

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 1         4.  Beginning with the 2002-2003 fiscal year, each

 2  district school board must adopt a performance-pay policy for

 3  school administrators and instructional personnel. The

 4  district's performance-pay policy is subject to negotiation as

 5  provided in chapter 447; however, the adopted salary schedule

 6  must allow school administrators and instructional personnel

 7  who demonstrate outstanding performance, as measured under s.

 8  1012.34, to earn a 5-percent supplement in addition to their

 9  individual, negotiated salary. The supplements shall be funded

10  from the performance-pay reserve funds adopted in the salary

11  schedule. Beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year, the

12  district's 5-percent performance-pay policy must provide for

13  the evaluation of classroom teachers within each level of the

14  salary career ladder provided in s. 1012.231. The Commissioner

15  of Education shall determine whether the district school

16  board's adopted salary schedule complies with the requirement

17  for performance-based pay. If the district school board fails

18  to comply with this section, the commissioner shall withhold

19  disbursements from the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund to

20  the district until compliance is verified.

21         (h)  Planning and training time for teachers.--The

22  district school board shall may adopt rules to make provisions

23  for teachers to have time for lunch, professional and some

24  planning, and professional development training time when they

25  will not be directly responsible for the children if, provided

26  that some adult supervision is shall be furnished for the

27  students during such periods.

28         (i)  Comprehensive program of staff development.--The

29  district school board shall establish a comprehensive program

30  of staff development and incorporate secondary school redesign

31  

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 1  plans pursuant to s. 1003.415 and principal leadership

 2  training pursuant to s. 1012.985 as a part of the plan.

 3         (3)  Annually provide to the Department of Education

 4  the negotiated collective bargaining contract for the school

 5  district and the salary and benefits for the personnel or

 6  officers of any educator association which are paid by the

 7  school district. The district school board shall report using

 8  the computer format prescribed by the department pursuant to

 9  s. 1012.21.

10         Section 44.  Section 1012.2312, Florida Statutes, is

11  created to read:

12         1012.2312  Differentiated pay for instructional

13  personnel.--

14         (1)  Beginning with the 2006-2007 fiscal year, each

15  district school board shall have a differentiated-pay policy

16  for instructional personnel and incorporate it into the school

17  district's salary schedule.

18         (2)  The differentiated-pay policy may be subject to

19  negotiation as provided in chapter 447; however, the adopted

20  salary schedule must allow instructional personnel to receive

21  differentiated pay based upon factors determined by the school

22  district, including, but not limited to, each of the

23  following:

24         (a)  The subject areas taught, with classroom teachers

25  who teach in critical shortage areas receiving higher pay.

26         (b)  The economic demographics of the school, with

27  instructional personnel in schools that have a majority of

28  students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches

29  receiving higher pay.

30  

31  

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 1         (c)  Additional responsibilities of instructional

 2  personnel, including, but not limited to, lead and mentoring

 3  responsibilities.

 4         (d)  A performance-pay policy that rewards

 5  high-performing instructional personnel with at least a

 6  5-percent performance-pay incentive.

 7  

 8  The differentiated pay provided in the salary schedule for

 9  each of the factors specified in paragraphs (a)-(d) shall

10  provide an incentive and not be nominal.

11         (3)  The Commissioner of Education shall determine

12  whether the district school board's adopted salary schedule

13  complies with the requirements in subsection (2). If the

14  salary schedule does not comply, the commissioner shall

15  recommend to the State Board of Education and the state board

16  may withhold disbursements from the Educational Enhancement

17  Trust Fund to the school district until the district's salary

18  schedule is in compliance.

19         Section 45.  Section 1012.2313, Florida Statutes, is

20  created to read:

21         1012.2313  Differentiated pay for school

22  administrators.--

23         (1)  Beginning with the 2006-2007 fiscal year, each

24  district school board shall have a differentiated-pay policy

25  for school administrators and incorporate it into the school

26  district's salary schedule.

27         (2)  The adopted salary schedule must allow school

28  administrators to receive differentiated pay based upon

29  factors determined by the school district, including, but not

30  limited to, each of the following:

31  

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 1         (a)  The economic demographics of the school, with

 2  school administrators in schools that have a majority of

 3  students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches

 4  receiving higher pay.

 5         (b)  A performance-pay policy that rewards

 6  high-performing school administrators with at least a

 7  5-percent performance-pay incentive.

 8  

 9  The differentiated pay provided in the salary schedule for

10  each of the factors specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) shall

11  provide an incentive and not be nominal.

12         (3)  The Commissioner of Education shall determine

13  whether the district school board's adopted salary schedule

14  complies with the requirements in subsection (2). If the

15  salary schedule does not comply, the commissioner shall

16  recommend to the State Board of Education and the state board

17  may withhold disbursements from the Educational Enhancement

18  Trust Fund to the school district until the district's salary

19  schedule is in compliance.

20         Section 46.  Section 1012.2315, Florida Statutes, is

21  created to read:

22         1012.2315  Assignment of teachers.--

23         (1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--The Legislature

24  finds disparities between teachers assigned to teach in a

25  majority of "A" graded schools and teachers assigned to teach

26  in a majority of "F" graded schools. The disparities can be

27  found in the average years of experience, the median salary,

28  and the performance of the teachers on teacher certification

29  examinations. It is the intent of the Legislature that

30  district school boards have flexibility through the collective

31  

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 1  bargaining process to assign teachers more equitably across

 2  the schools in the district.

 3         (2)  ASSIGNMENT TO SCHOOLS GRADED "D" OR "F."--School

 4  districts may not assign a higher percentage than the school

 5  district average of first-time teachers, temporarily certified

 6  teachers, teachers in need of improvement, or out-of-field

 7  teachers to schools with above the school district average of

 8  minority and economically disadvantaged students or schools

 9  that are graded "D" or "F." Each school district shall

10  annually certify to the Commissioner of Education that this

11  requirement has been met. If the commissioner determines that

12  a school district is not in compliance with this subsection,

13  the State Board of Education shall be notified and shall take

14  action pursuant to s. 1008.32 in the next regularly scheduled

15  meeting to require compliance.

16         (3)  SALARY INCENTIVES.--District school boards are

17  authorized to provide salary incentives to meet the

18  requirement of subsection (2). A district school board may not

19  sign a collective bargaining agreement that precludes the

20  school district from providing sufficient incentives to meet

21  this requirement.

22         (4)  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.--Notwithstanding provisions

23  of chapter 447 relating to district school board collective

24  bargaining, collective bargaining provisions may not preclude

25  a school district from providing incentives to high-quality

26  teachers and assigning such teachers to low-performing

27  schools.

28         Section 47.  Subsection (2) of section 1012.27, Florida

29  Statutes, is amended to read:

30         1012.27  Public school personnel; powers and duties of

31  district school superintendent.--The district school

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 1  superintendent is responsible for directing the work of the

 2  personnel, subject to the requirements of this chapter, and in

 3  addition the district school superintendent shall perform the

 4  following:

 5         (2)  COMPENSATION AND SALARY SCHEDULES.--Prepare and

 6  recommend to the district school board for adoption a salary

 7  schedule or salary schedules. The district school

 8  superintendent must recommend a salary schedule for

 9  instructional personnel which bases a portion of each

10  employee's compensation on performance demonstrated under s.

11  1012.34. In developing the recommended salary schedule, the

12  district school superintendent shall include input from

13  parents, teachers, and representatives of the business

14  community. Beginning with the 2006-2007 2004-2005 academic

15  year, the recommended salary schedule for classroom teachers

16  shall be consistent with the district's differentiated-pay

17  policy career ladder based upon s. 1012.2312 s. 1012.231.

18         Section 48.  Subsection (6) of section 1012.28, Florida

19  Statutes, is amended to read:

20         1012.28  Public school personnel; duties of school

21  principals.--

22         (6)  A school principal who fails to comply with this

23  section shall be ineligible for any portion of the performance

24  pay policy incentive under s. 1012.2313(2)(b) s.

25  1012.22(1)(c).

26         Section 49.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

27  1012.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         1012.34  Assessment procedures and criteria.--

29         (3)  The assessment procedure for instructional

30  personnel and school administrators must be primarily based on

31  the performance of students assigned to their classrooms or

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 1  schools, as appropriate. Pursuant to this section, a school

 2  district's performance assessment is not limited to basing

 3  unsatisfactory performance of instructional personnel and

 4  school administrators upon student performance, but may

 5  include other criteria approved to assess instructional

 6  personnel and school administrators' performance, or any

 7  combination of student performance and other approved

 8  criteria. The procedures must comply with, but are not limited

 9  to, the following requirements:

10         (a)  An assessment must be conducted for each employee

11  at least once a year. The assessment must be based upon sound

12  educational principles and contemporary research in effective

13  educational practices. The assessment must primarily use data

14  and indicators of improvement in student performance assessed

15  annually as specified in s. 1008.22 and may consider results

16  of peer reviews in evaluating the employee's performance.

17  Student performance must be measured by state assessments

18  required under s. 1008.22 and by local assessments for

19  subjects and grade levels not measured by the state assessment

20  program. The assessment criteria must include, but are not

21  limited to, indicators that relate to the following:

22         1.  Performance of students.

23         2.  Ability to maintain appropriate discipline.

24         3.  Knowledge of subject matter. The district school

25  board shall make special provisions for evaluating teachers

26  who are assigned to teach out-of-field.

27         4.  Ability to plan and deliver instruction, including

28  implementation of the rigorous reading requirement pursuant to

29  s. 1003.415, when applicable, and the use of technology in the

30  classroom.

31         5.  Ability to evaluate instructional needs.

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 1         6.  Ability to establish and maintain a positive

 2  collaborative relationship with students' families to increase

 3  student achievement.

 4         7.  Other professional competencies, responsibilities,

 5  and requirements as established by rules of the State Board of

 6  Education and policies of the district school board.

 7         Section 50.  Subsection (4) of section 1012.56, Florida

 8  Statutes, is amended to read:

 9         1012.56  Educator certification requirements.--

10         (4)  MASTERY OF SUBJECT AREA KNOWLEDGE.--Acceptable

11  means of demonstrating mastery of subject area knowledge are:

12         (a)  Achievement of passing scores on subject area

13  examinations required by state board rule;

14         (b)  Completion of the subject area specialization

15  requirements specified in state board rule and verification of

16  the attainment of the essential subject matter competencies by

17  the district school superintendent of the employing school

18  district or chief administrative officer of the employing

19  state-supported or private school for a subject area for which

20  a subject area examination has not been developed and required

21  by state board rule;

22         (c)  Completion of the subject area specialization

23  requirements specified in state board rule for a subject

24  coverage requiring a master's or higher degree and achievement

25  of a passing score on the subject area examination specified

26  in state board rule;

27         (d)  A valid professional standard teaching certificate

28  issued by another state; or

29         (e)  A valid certificate issued by the National Board

30  for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator

31  credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education.

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 1  

 2  School districts are encouraged to provide mechanisms for

 3  those middle school teachers holding only a K-5 teaching

 4  certificate to obtain a subject area coverage for middle

 5  grades through postsecondary coursework or district add-on

 6  certification.

 7         Section 51.  Section 1012.98, Florida Statutes, is

 8  amended to read:

 9         1012.98  School Community Professional Development

10  Act.--

11         (1)  The Department of Education, public postsecondary

12  educational institutions, public school districts, state

13  education foundations, consortia, and professional

14  organizations and public schools in this state shall

15  collaborate to establish a coordinated system of professional

16  development. The purpose of the professional development

17  system is to increase student achievement, enhance classroom

18  instructional strategies that promote rigor and relevance

19  throughout the curriculum, and prepare students for continuing

20  education and the workforce. The system of professional

21  development must align to the standards adopted by the state

22  and support the framework for standards adopted by the

23  National Council for Staff Development enable the school

24  community to meet state and local student achievement

25  standards and the state education goals and to succeed in

26  school improvement as described in s. 1000.03.

27         (2)  The school community includes students and

28  parents, administrative personnel, managers, instructional

29  personnel, support personnel, members of district school

30  boards, members of school advisory councils, business

31  

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 1  partners, and personnel that provide health and social

 2  services to students.

 3         (3)  The activities designed to implement this section

 4  must:

 5         (a)  Support and increase the success of educators

 6  through collaboratively developed plans for secondary school

 7  redesign which are focused on:

 8         1.  Enhanced instructional strategies to engage

 9  students in rigorous and relevant curriculum that is based on

10  in guiding student learning and development so as to implement

11  state and local educational standards, goals, and

12  initiatives;.

13         2.  Increased opportunities to provide meaningful

14  relationships between teachers and all students; and

15         3.  Increased opportunities for professional

16  collaboration among and between teachers, guidance counselors,

17  instructional leaders, postsecondary educators, and the

18  workforce community.

19         (b)  Assist the school community in providing

20  stimulating, scientific scientifically research-based

21  educational activities that encourage and motivate students to

22  achieve at the highest levels and to participate as become

23  active learners and that prepare students for success at

24  subsequent educational levels and the workforce.

25         (c)  Provide continuous support for all education

26  professionals as well as temporary intervention for education

27  professionals who need improvement in knowledge, skills, and

28  performance.

29         (4)  The Department of Education, school districts,

30  schools, community colleges, and state universities share the

31  

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 1  responsibilities described in this section. These

 2  responsibilities include the following:

 3         (a)  The department shall develop and disseminate to

 4  the school community model professional development methods

 5  and programs that have demonstrated success in meeting

 6  identified student needs. The Commissioner of Education shall

 7  use data on student achievement to identify student needs. The

 8  methods of dissemination must include a statewide performance

 9  support system, a database of exemplary professional

10  development activities, a listing of available professional

11  development resources, training programs, and available

12  assistance.

13         (b)  Each school district shall develop a professional

14  development system as specified in subsection (3). The system

15  shall be developed in consultation with teachers, and

16  representatives of community colleges college and state

17  universities university faculty, business and community

18  representatives agencies, and local education foundations,

19  consortia, and professional organizations other interested

20  citizen groups to establish policy and procedures to guide the

21  operation of the district professional development program.

22  The professional development system must:

23         1.  Be approved by the department. All substantial

24  revisions to the system shall be submitted to the department

25  for review for continued approval.

26         1.2.  Be based on an analysis Require the use of

27  student achievement data and instructional strategies and

28  methods that support rigorous, relevant, and challenging

29  curricula for all students. Schools and districts, in

30  developing and refining the professional development system,

31  shall also review and monitor; school discipline data; school

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 1  environment surveys; assessments of parental satisfaction;

 2  performance appraisal data of teachers, managers, and

 3  administrative personnel; and other performance indicators to

 4  identify school and student needs that can be met by improved

 5  professional performance.

 6         2.3.  Provide inservice activities coupled with

 7  followup support that are appropriate to accomplish

 8  district-level and school-level improvement goals and

 9  standards. The inservice activities for instructional

10  personnel shall primarily focus on analysis of student

11  achievement data, ongoing assessment of student achievement,

12  identification and use of enhanced instructional strategies

13  that emphasize rigor and relevance, enhancement of subject

14  content expertise, strategies for reading in content areas,

15  integrated use of technology and teaching methods, including

16  technology, as related to the Sunshine State Standards,

17  assessment and data analysis, classroom management, parent

18  involvement, and school safety.

19         3.4.  Include a master plan for inservice activities,

20  pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education, for all

21  district employees from all fund sources. The master plan

22  shall be updated annually by September 1, must be based on

23  input from teachers and district and school instructional

24  leaders, and must use the latest student achievement data and

25  research related to instructional strategies that enhance

26  rigor and relevance in the classroom. Each district inservice

27  plan must be aligned to and support the school-based inservice

28  plans, school improvement plans, and secondary redesign plans

29  pursuant to s. 1003.415. District plans using criteria for

30  continued approval as specified by rules of the State Board of

31  Education. Written verification that the inservice plan meets

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 1  all requirements of this section must be submitted annually to

 2  the commissioner by October 1 in order to ensure compliance

 3  with subsection (1) and to allow for dissemination of best

 4  practices by the department.

 5         4.5.  Require each school principal to establish and

 6  maintain an individual professional development plan for each

 7  instructional employee assigned to the school, based on and

 8  integral to the school improvement plan developed pursuant to

 9  1001.42(16)(a) and the secondary redesign plan developed

10  pursuant to s. 1003.415(4). The individual professional

11  development plan must:

12         a.  Be related to specific performance data for the

13  students to whom the teacher is assigned.

14         b.  Define the inservice objectives and specific

15  measurable improvements expected in student performance as a

16  result of the inservice activity.

17         c.  Include an evaluation component that determines the

18  effectiveness of the professional development plan.

19         5.6.  Include inservice activities for school

20  administrative personnel which that address updated skills

21  necessary for effective school management and instructional

22  leadership and effective school management pursuant to s.

23  1012.985.

24         6.7.  Provide for systematic consultation with regional

25  and state personnel designated to provide technical assistance

26  and evaluation of local professional development programs.

27         7.8.  Provide for delivery of professional development

28  by distance learning and other technology-based delivery

29  systems to reach more educators at lower costs.

30         8.9.  Provide for the continuous evaluation of the

31  quality and effectiveness of professional development programs

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 1  in order to eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and

 2  to expand effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact

 3  of such activities on the performance of participating

 4  educators and their students' achievement and behavior.

 5         (c)  Each community college and state university shall

 6  assist the department, school districts, and schools in the

 7  design, delivery, and evaluation of professional development

 8  activities. This assistance must include active participation

 9  in state and local activities required by the professional

10  development system.

11         (c)(d)  The Department of Education shall approve a

12  public state university having an approved physical education

13  teacher preparation program within its college of education to

14  develop and implement an Internet-based clearinghouse for

15  physical education professional development programs that may

16  be accessed and used by all instructional personnel. The

17  development of these programs shall be financed primarily by

18  private funds and shall be available for use no later than

19  August 1, 2005.

20         (5)  Each district school board shall provide funding

21  for the professional development system as required by s.

22  1011.62 and the General Appropriations Act, and shall direct

23  expenditures from other funding sources to continuously

24  strengthen the system in order to increase student achievement

25  and support instructional staff in enhancing rigor and

26  relevance in the classroom and make it uniform and coherent. A

27  school district may coordinate its professional development

28  program with that of another district, with an educational

29  consortium, or with a community college or university,

30  especially in preparing and educating personnel. Each district

31  school board shall make available inservice activities to

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 1  instructional personnel of nonpublic schools in the district

 2  and the state certified teachers who are not employed by the

 3  district school board on a fee basis not to exceed the cost of

 4  the activity per all participants.

 5         (6)  An organization of private schools which has no

 6  fewer than 10 member schools in this state, which publishes

 7  and files with the Department of Education copies of its

 8  standards, and the member schools of which comply with the

 9  provisions of part II of chapter 1003, relating to compulsory

10  school attendance, may also develop a professional development

11  system that includes a master plan for inservice activities.

12  The system and inservice plan must be submitted to the

13  commissioner for approval pursuant to rules of the State Board

14  of Education.

15         (6)(7)  The Department of Education shall disseminate

16  best-practice design methods by which the state and district

17  school boards may evaluate and improve the professional

18  development system. The best practices evaluation must include

19  an annual assessment of data that indicate the progress or

20  lack of progress of all students. If the review of the data

21  indicates progress, the department shall identify the best

22  practices that contributed to the progress. If the review of

23  the data indicates a lack of progress, the department shall

24  investigate the causes of the lack of progress, provide

25  technical assistance, and require the school district to

26  employ a different approach to professional development. The

27  department shall report annually to the State Board of

28  Education and the Legislature any school district that, in the

29  determination of the department, has failed to provide an

30  adequate professional development system. This report must

31  

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 1  include the results of the department's investigation and of

 2  any intervention provided.

 3         (7)(8)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules

 4  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this

 5  section.

 6         (8)(9)  This section does not limit or discourage a

 7  district school board from contracting with independent

 8  entities for professional development services and inservice

 9  education if the district school board can demonstrate to the

10  Commissioner of Education that, through such a contract, a

11  better product can be acquired or its goals for education

12  improvement can be better met.

13         (9)(10)  For teachers, managers, and administrative

14  personnel who have been evaluated as less than satisfactory, a

15  district school board shall require participation in specific

16  professional development programs as part of the improvement

17  prescription.

18         (b)  The department shall disseminate to the school

19  community proven model professional development programs that

20  have demonstrated success in increasing rigorous and relevant

21  content, increasing student achievement and engagement, and

22  meeting identified student needs. The methods of dissemination

23  must include a statewide performance-support system, a

24  database of exemplary professional development activities, a

25  listing of available professional development resources,

26  training programs, and available technical assistance.

27         Section 52.  Section 1012.985, Florida Statutes, is

28  amended to read:

29         (Substantial rewording of section. See

30         s. 1012.985, F.S., for present text.)

31  

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 1         1012.985  Statewide system for professional development

 2  of school leaders.--The intent of this section is to establish

 3  a statewide system of professional development which provides

 4  high standards and sustained support for principals as

 5  instructional leaders. The system shall consist of a

 6  collaborative network of professional leadership

 7  organizations. The network shall be established to support the

 8  human-resource-development needs of principals, principal

 9  leadership teams, and candidates for principal leadership

10  positions using the framework of leadership standards adopted

11  by the Southern Regional Education Board, the National Council

12  of Staff Development, and the State Board of Education. Funds

13  appropriated for the leadership network for principals shall

14  be allocated annually in the General Appropriations Act,

15  contingent upon a commitment of financial support or

16  human-resource support from the Florida Association of

17  District School Superintendents, the Florida Association of

18  School Administrators, the Southern Regional Education Board,

19  the Department of Education, the Florida Regional Education

20  Consortia, and education leadership faculty from Florida's

21  community colleges and universities. The goal of the network

22  and the principal leadership training is to:

23         (1)  Provide resources to support and enhance the

24  principal's role as the instructional leader.

25         (2)  Maintain a clearinghouse and disseminate

26  data-supported information related to enhanced student

27  achievement, based on educational research and best practices.

28         (3)  Build the capacity to increase the quality of

29  programs for preservice and inservice professional development

30  for principals and principal leadership teams.

31  

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 1         (4)  Develop, enhance, and sustain collaboration to

 2  ensure support of ongoing professional development for

 3  teachers and preservice training for aspiring teachers.

 4         Section 53.  Section 1012.987, Florida Statutes, is

 5  repealed.

 6         Section 54.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

 7  law.

 8  

 9            *****************************************

10                          SENATE SUMMARY

11    Revises various provisions governing the state's K-20
      education system. Requires that the State Board of
12    Education facilitate a review of the Sunshine State
      Standards. Requires each school principal to implement a
13    school redesign plan. Renames the Middle Grades Reform
      Act as the "Florida Secondary Schools Redesign Act."
14    Requires that school boards adopt policies for individual
      school redesign plans. Provides requirements for the
15    middle school redesign plans and high school redesign
      plans. Requires that each middle school develop a
16    personalized academic and career plan for each student.
      Requires that the academic and career plan be
17    incorporated into the individual student plan. Requires
      the Department of Education to provide model personalized
18    academic and career plans. Requires public schools and
      charter schools to provide an academic improvement plan
19    for students who score below a specified level on the
      FCAT. Requires that the State Board of Education conduct
20    concordance studies to determine FCAT equivalencies for
      high school graduation.  Revises requirements for
21    determining school grades. Requires annual school report
      cards. Provides FTE funding for juveniles in alternative
22    education programs. Requires that collective bargaining
      contracts for school district personnel be posted online.
23    Requires a differentiated-pay policy for instructional
      personnel. Requires district school boards to adopt rules
24    governing professional planning and professional
      development. Requires that secondary school redesign
25    plans and principal leadership training be incorporated
      into the comprehensive program of staff development.
26    Provides requirements for the individual professional
      development plan for instructional employees. Requires
27    the Department of Education to disseminate best-practice
      methods and model professional development programs. (See
28    bill for details.)

29  

30  

31  

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