What the bill does: SB 798 allows school districts to promote public school programs (as instructed in statute) on vehicles owned by the district including school buses and utilize public dollars to do so.
Why we support this bill: Florida public schools are not only in competition with private and charter schools, but also virtual, colleges and universities. These schools are able to purchase billboards promoting programs, degrees, and successes such as state champion football teams. Florida District School Boards are required to share successes and programs but are limited in the ways they can do so; specifically, spending public funds. Florida school districts also have largest rolling fleet in the state and cannot leverage vehicles to share successes and programs. This bill provides a solution to both of these issues.
What the bill does: SB 468 requires the Just Read, Florida! Office to provide teachers, reading coaches, and principals in prekindergarten through grade 3 with specified training and has requirements on reporting pre- and post-assessment results to parents.
Why we support this bill: FASA recognizes the importance of early childhood education for children from birth to grade 2 and supports an increase in professional development for teachers and administrators working with these children. Further, FASA supports ongoing assessment of progress of PreK children in all publicly funded schools to ensure readiness for kindergarten.
What the bill does: SB 1552 creates the Florida Best and Brightest Program for principals and outlines requirements for eligibility.
