Florida Senate - 2013                                    SB 1326
       
       
       
       By Senator Abruzzo
       
       
       
       
       25-01238-13                                           20131326__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to an education pilot program;
    3         creating s. 1003.59, F.S.; requiring the Department of
    4         Education to create a pilot program for the lowest
    5         performing public schools in this state which have a
    6         large population of economically disadvantaged
    7         students; providing that the pilot program create a
    8         public and private partnership to supply certain
    9         services to economically disadvantaged students;
   10         providing a statement of purpose for the pilot
   11         program; providing the duties of the department for
   12         each year of the pilot program; requiring the
   13         department to submit its recommendation, the rationale
   14         behind the recommendation, and supporting data to the
   15         Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
   16         requiring the department to adopt rules; providing an
   17         effective date.
   18  
   19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   20  
   21         Section 1. Section 1003.59, Florida Statutes, is created to
   22  read:
   23         1003.59Services for success; pilot program.—Beginning with
   24  the 2013-2014 school year, the Department of Education shall
   25  plan and implement a 4-year pilot program for no fewer than
   26  three and no more than five of the lowest-performing traditional
   27  public schools in this state which enroll a large population of
   28  economically disadvantaged students who are living in
   29  impoverished circumstances.
   30         (1) The pilot program is established to create a public and
   31  private partnership to supply wrap-around services, including,
   32  but not limited to, health and dental services, counseling,
   33  parental counseling, adult training and education, nutrition
   34  education, after-school programs, and tutoring programs to
   35  economically disadvantaged students.
   36         (2) The purpose of the pilot program is to:
   37         (a) Improve academic achievement through a holistic
   38  approach by ensuring that economically disadvantaged students
   39  have the academic, medical, nutritional, and social supports
   40  they need to develop strong literacy and numeracy skills, and
   41  resiliency skills in self-regulation, cooperation, and
   42  attention.
   43         (b) Make available support services that encourage healthy
   44  family dynamics, including parenting skills, assistance with
   45  homework, and school-home connections.
   46         (c) Create a work center within each school identified in
   47  subparagraph (3)(a)1. supported by five research-driven elements
   48  that lead to permanent systemic change: leveraging community
   49  assets, improving staff capacity and effectiveness, developing
   50  family and community partnerships, improving capacity and
   51  collaboration between district and local associations, and
   52  improving student achievement and learning.
   53         (3) The timeline for the pilot program is as follows:
   54         (a) During the first year, the department shall:
   55         1. Identify no fewer than three and no more than five of
   56  the lowest-performing public schools in the state which enroll a
   57  large population of economically disadvantaged students who are
   58  living in impoverished circumstances.
   59         2. Seek researchers.
   60         3. Build partnerships with schools identified in
   61  subparagraph 1., the school district, the local teachers’ union,
   62  parents, social service agencies, local medical and dental
   63  practitioners, local community and civic groups, and local
   64  businesses.
   65         4. Plan and promote services that will be provided.
   66         5. Advertise the pilot program.
   67         6. Collect baseline data.
   68         7. Report costs and benefits of the pilot program.
   69         (b) During the second, third, and fourth years, the
   70  department shall:
   71         1. Continue to build the partnerships with schools
   72  identified in subparagraph (a)1., the school district, the local
   73  teachers’ union, parents, social service agencies, local medical
   74  and dental practitioners, local community and civic groups, and
   75  local businesses.
   76         2. Seek input regarding the services that are provided and
   77  refine them.
   78         3. Monitor academic, health, and nutritional progress for
   79  students and families who are participating in the pilot program
   80  and report their progress.
   81         4. Report costs and benefits of the pilot program.
   82         (c) During the fourth year, but not later than December 1,
   83  2017, the department shall recommend suspension or continuation
   84  of the pilot program and submit its recommendation, the
   85  rationale behind the recommendation, and supporting data to the
   86  Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
   87  House of Representatives.
   88         (4) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
   89  section.
   90         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.