The 2017 State Legislative Update: Week 3
2017 State Legislative session Week 3 Recap (3/20-3/24/17)
The FCSA team was in Tallahassee last week. We met with lawmakers about bills that impact education and charter schools, and provided information to House members who are working on a big charter school initiative that may be released this week. Below is a recap of some of the education bills that were heard last week.  
Capital Outlay continues to be a hot topic.
SB 376 (Simmons) requires school districts to share a portion of local tax dollars with charter schools. There is push back from districts.  FCSA responded to a recent editorial in the Miami Herald opposing the idea of sharing millage.
Education Accountability
During the Senate Education Committee on March 21, members discussed testing and accountability, and heard several testimonies from parents and choice organizations in support of SB 964 (companion HB 1249) - revising the requirements for a standard high school diploma, and updating requirement for certain state-mandated end-of-course exams.
Fewer Better Tests
Senate leaders discussed SB 926 - supporters say this bill will gives teachers more time to teach and ensures parents and teachers have access to actionable, easy-to-understand information to help their student.    
Teacher Bonuses
HB 827 removes caps on financial awards available to teachers. It unanimously passed the House Education Committee. The legislation now moves to the House floor.

Prayer in school
The Florida House advanced HB 303 - allowing school administrators to pray in public schools if students initiate those prayers.

Reading  
HB 757, a comprehensive reading support bill, unanimously passed the House Subcommittee on PreK-12 Innovation. 
                            
Updating Best & Brightest Program 
HB 7069  (companion SB 1552) would lower the required percentile score to qualify for Florida's Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship program, allow teachers to use LSAT, GRE, GMAT and MCAT scores, and expand the program to school principals.
 
On March 22, 2017, The State Board of Education passed a rule that charter schools receiving two consecutive D grades, or two Unsatisfactory assessments (alternative schools), are not eligible for capital outlay. This rule, which also exists in statute, negatively impacts many of our member schools, especially those serving high need areas. Ralph Arza has been speaking with lawmakers about this rule and working on a fix that would maintain a high level of accountability and a strong assessment policy without placing a financial burden on schools.  
If you have any questions about this update or the current legislative session, contact Ralph Arza. 

FCSA Podcast
On this episode, we discuss Exceptional Student Education with former district director for Special Ed at Dade County Public Schools and current national director of special education and student support for a charter school support and education service provider, Lilian Salazar. 

We encourage school leaders to listen to this great conversation.    
  
Federal Update
 
A school district argued it's enough to provide children with disabilities "some" educational benefit. The Court's unanimous decision rejected that view.  

Supreme Court's Decision Means schools must do more for Students With Disabilities 
 

Florida ranks 8th in this year's Model Charter School Law Rankings

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released its annual state-by-state ranking of charter public school laws last week. Florida ranks 8th on this year's list because we do not have a cap on charter public school growth, and our state law provides a fair amount of autonomy and accountability, and provides a robust appellate process for charter school applicants. However, there is room for improvement. 

Upcoming Events
Technology & Education Innovation Fair for school leaders
 
Learn about education technology trends at this event hosted by Somerset Academy in partnership with the Florida Charter School Alliance.
Free for FCSA members. Tuesday, May 16 - Somerset  City Arts, 47 NW 16 Street, Homestead.
Call for Presentations
for 21st Annual Florida Charter Schools Conference (Nov. 1-3, 2017).  This year's theme is Expect Excellence. Submission deadline: June 21, 2017.

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