STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS AND EDUCATIONAL CHOICES
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(s. 1002.01)
PART II
STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS
(ss. 1002.20-1002.23)
PART III
EDUCATIONAL CHOICE
(ss. 1002.31-1002.40)
PART IV
HOME EDUCATION, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, OTHER EDUCATION OPTIONS
(ss. 1002.41-1002.455)
PART V
VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN EDUCATION PROGRAM
(ss. 1002.51-1002.79)
PART VI
SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM
(ss. 1002.81-1002.995)
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1002.01 Definitions.
1002.01 Definitions.—
(1) A “home education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1002.41, 1003.01(16), and 1003.21(1).
(2) A “personalized education program” means the sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent to satisfy the attendance requirements of ss. 1003.01(16) and 1003.21(1) while registered with an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization pursuant to s. 1002.395. A personalized education student shall be provided the same flexibility and opportunities as provided in s. 1002.41(3)-(12).
(3) A “private school” is a nonpublic school defined as an individual, association, copartnership, or corporation, or department, division, or section of such organizations, that designates itself as an educational center that includes kindergarten or a higher grade or as an elementary, secondary, business, technical, or trade school below college level or any organization that provides instructional services that meet the intent of s. 1003.01(16) or that gives preemployment or supplementary training in technology or in fields of trade or industry or that offers academic, literary, or career training below college level, or any combination of the above, including an institution that performs the functions of the above schools through correspondence or extension, except those licensed under the provisions of chapter 1005. A private school may be a parochial, religious, denominational, for-profit, or nonprofit school. This definition does not include home education programs conducted in accordance with s. 1002.41.
1002.205 Guidelines on religious expression; distribution.
1002.206 Religious expression in public schools.
1002.21 Postsecondary student and parent rights.
1002.22 Education records and reports of K-12 students; rights of parents and students; notification; penalty.
1002.221 K-12 education records; public records exemption.
1002.222 Limitations on collection of information and disclosure of confidential and exempt student records.
1002.225 Education records of students in public postsecondary educational institutions; penalty.
1002.23 Family and School Partnership for Student Achievement Act.
1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public school students must receive accurate and timely information regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12 students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory rights including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.—In accordance with s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution, all K-12 public school students are entitled to a uniform, safe, secure, efficient, and high quality system of education, one that allows students the opportunity to obtain a high quality education. Parents are responsible to ready their children for school; however, the State of Florida cannot be the guarantor of each individual student’s success.
(2) ATTENDANCE.—
(a) Compulsory school attendance.—The compulsory school attendance laws apply to all children between the ages of 6 and 16 years, as provided in s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a), and, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a):
1. A student who attains the age of 16 years during the school year has the right to file a formal declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment if the declaration is signed by the parent. The parent has the right to be notified by the school district of the district’s receipt of the student’s declaration of intent to terminate school enrollment.
2. Students who become or have become married or who are pregnant and parenting have the right to attend school and receive the same or equivalent educational instruction as other students.
(b) Regular school attendance.—Parents of students who have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year but who have not attained the age of 16 years must comply with the compulsory school attendance laws. Parents have the option to comply with the school attendance laws by attendance of the student in a public school; a parochial, religious, or denominational school; a private school; a home education program; or a private tutoring program, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.01(16).
(c) Absence for religious purposes.—A parent of a public school student may request and be granted permission for absence of the student from school for religious instruction or religious holidays, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.21(2)(b)1.
(d) Absence for treatment of autism spectrum disorder.—A parent of a public school student may request and be granted permission for absence of the student from school for an appointment scheduled to receive a therapy service provided by a licensed health care practitioner or behavior analyst certified pursuant to s. 393.17 for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder pursuant to ss. 1003.21(2)(b)2. and 1003.24(4).
(e) Dropout prevention and academic intervention programs.—The parent of a public school student has the right to receive written notice by certified mail or other method agreed to by the parent before placement of the student in a dropout prevention and academic intervention program and shall be notified in writing and entitled to an administrative review of any action by school personnel relating to the student’s placement, in accordance with s. 1003.53(5).
(3) HEALTH ISSUES.—
(a) School-entry health examinations.—The parent of any child attending a public or private school shall be exempt from the requirement of a health examination upon written request stating objections on religious grounds in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(1) and (2).
(b) Immunizations.—The parent of any child attending a public or private school shall be exempt from the school immunization requirements upon meeting any of the exemptions in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(5).
(c) Biological experiments.—Parents may request that their child be excused from performing surgery or dissection in biological science classes in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.47.
(d) Reproductive health and disease education.—A public school student whose parent makes written request to the school principal shall be exempted from the teaching of reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, in accordance with s. 1003.42(5).
1. Each school district shall, on the district’s website homepage, notify parents of this right and the process to request an exemption. The homepage must include a link for a student’s parent to access and review the instructional materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), used to teach the curriculum.
2. Each school district shall annually review and confirm that the information provided on the district’s website homepage under subparagraph 1. is accurate and up to date and shall notify parents by physical or electronic means any time revisions are made to such information.
(e) Contraceptive services to public school students.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.062(7), students may not be referred to or offered contraceptive services at school facilities without the parent’s consent.
(f) Career education courses involving hazardous substances.—High school students must be given plano safety glasses or devices in career education courses involving the use of hazardous substances likely to cause eye injury.
(g) Substance abuse reports.—The parent of a public school student must be timely notified of any verified report of a substance abuse violation by the student, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.09(8).
(h) Short-acting bronchodilator use.—
1. As used in this paragraph, the term:
a. “Administer” means to give or directly apply a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a student.
b. “Asthma” means a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, which can manifest as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.
c. “Authorized health care practitioner” means a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 464.
d. “Components” means devices used as part of clinically recommended use of short-acting bronchodilators, which may include spacers, valved holding chambers, or nebulizers.
e. “Respiratory distress” refers to an individual experiencing difficulty breathing, which can be caused by a multitude of medical factors, including chronic diseases such as asthma.
f. “Short-acting bronchodilator” means a beta-2 agonist, such as albuterol, used for the quick relief of asthma symptoms and recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines for the Treatment of Asthma. These bronchodilators may include an orally inhaled medication that contains a premeasured single dose of albuterol or albuterol sulfate delivered by a nebulizer or compressor device or by a pressured metered-dose inhaler used to treat respiratory distress, including, but not limited to, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, or another dosage of a short-acting bronchodilator recommended in the Guidelines for the Treatment of Asthma.
2. Asthmatic students whose parent and physician provide their approval to the school principal may carry a short-acting bronchodilator and components on their person while in school. The school principal shall be provided a copy of the parent’s and physician’s approval.
3. An authorized health care practitioner may prescribe short-acting bronchodilators and components in the name of a public school for use in accordance with this section, and a licensed pharmacist may dispense short-acting bronchodilators and components pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of a public school for use in accordance with this section.
4. A public school may acquire and stock a supply of short-acting bronchodilators and components from a wholesale distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for short-acting bronchodilators and components at fair-market, free, or reduced prices pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section. The short-acting bronchodilators and components must be maintained in a secure location on a school’s premises.
5. A participating public school must adopt a protocol developed by a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 for the administration of short-acting bronchodilators or components by school personnel who are trained to recognize symptoms of respiratory distress and to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components. The school district and the protocol must provide guidance for administering short-acting bronchodilators or components in instances of respiratory distress for a student with a known diagnosis of asthma and, if approved by the school district, for students with no known diagnosis of asthma.
6. The supply of short-acting bronchodilators and components may be provided to and used by a trained school personnel member or a student authorized to self-administer a short-acting bronchodilator and components.
7. A public school may accept short-acting bronchodilators and components as a donation or transfer if they are new, unexpired, manufacturer-sealed, not subject to recall, unadulterated, and in compliance with relevant regulations adopted by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
8. A school nurse or trained school personnel shall only administer short-acting bronchodilators and components to students if they have successfully completed training and believe in good faith that the student is experiencing respiratory distress, regardless of whether the student has a prescription for a short-acting bronchodilator and components or has previously been diagnosed with asthma.
9. The school district or school shall provide written notice to the parent of each student enrolled in the school district or school of the school’s adopted protocol. The public school must receive prior permission from the parent or guardian to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a student.
10. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a school nurse or school personnel of a school district trained in the administration of short-acting bronchodilator and components who administers or attempts to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components in compliance with this section and s. 768.13 and the school district that employs the school nurse or the trained school personnel are immune from civil or criminal liability as a result of such administration or attempted administration of a short-acting bronchodilator or components.
11.a. An authorized health care practitioner, acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care, is not subject to discipline or other adverse action under any professional licensure statute or rule and is immune from any civil or criminal liability as a result of prescribing a short-acting bronchodilator or components in accordance with this section.
b. A dispensing health care practitioner or pharmacist, acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care, is not subject to discipline or other adverse action under any professional licensure statute or rule and is immune from any civil or criminal liability as a result of dispensing a short-acting bronchodilator or components in accordance with this section.
(i) Epinephrine use and supply.—
1. A student who has experienced or is at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions may carry an epinephrine auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has been provided with parental and physician authorization. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules for such use of epinephrine auto-injectors that shall include provisions to protect the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of auto-injectors. A school district, county health department, public-private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry an epinephrine auto-injector for any and all liability with respect to the student’s use of an epinephrine auto-injector pursuant to this paragraph.
2. A public school may purchase a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors from a wholesale distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for the epinephrine auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The epinephrine auto-injectors must be maintained in a secure location on the public school’s premises. The participating school district shall adopt a protocol developed by a licensed physician for the administration by school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction and to administer an epinephrine auto-injection. The supply of epinephrine auto-injectors may be provided to and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector under subparagraph 1. or trained school personnel.
3. The school district and its employees, agents, and the physician who provides the standing protocol for school epinephrine auto-injectors are not liable for any injury arising from the use of an epinephrine auto-injector administered by trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and whose professional opinion is that the student is having an anaphylactic reaction:
a. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful and wanton;
b. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging that the school district is not liable; and
c. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
(j) Diabetes management.—A school district may not restrict the assignment of a student who has diabetes to a particular school on the basis that the student has diabetes, that the school does not have a full-time school nurse, or that the school does not have trained diabetes personnel. Diabetic students whose parent and physician provide their written authorization to the school principal may carry diabetic supplies and equipment on their person and attend to the management and care of their diabetes while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities to the extent authorized by the parent and physician and within the parameters set forth by State Board of Education rule. The written authorization shall identify the diabetic supplies and equipment that the student is authorized to carry and shall describe the activities the child is capable of performing without assistance, such as performing blood-glucose level checks and urine ketone testing, administering insulin through the insulin-delivery system used by the student, and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules to encourage every school in which a student with diabetes is enrolled to have personnel trained in routine and emergency diabetes care. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall also adopt rules for the management and care of diabetes by students in schools that include provisions to protect the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of diabetic supplies or equipment. A school district, county health department, and public-private partner, and the employees and volunteers of those entities, shall be indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry diabetic supplies or equipment for any and all liability with respect to the student’s use of such supplies and equipment pursuant to this paragraph.
(k) Use of prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements.—A student who has experienced or is at risk for pancreatic insufficiency or who has been diagnosed as having cystic fibrosis may carry and self-administer a prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplement while in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has been provided with authorization from the student’s parent and prescribing practitioner. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules for the use of prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements which shall include provisions to protect the safety of all students from the misuse or abuse of the supplements. A school district, county health department, public-private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to use prescribed pancreatic enzyme supplements for any and all liability with respect to the student’s use of the supplements under this paragraph.
(l) Notification of involuntary examinations.—
1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., the public school principal or the principal’s designee shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent of a student before the student is removed from school, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity to be taken to a receiving facility for an involuntary examination pursuant to s. 394.463. For purposes of this subparagraph, “a reasonable attempt to notify” means the exercise of reasonable diligence and care by the principal or the principal’s designee to make contact with the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact whom the student’s parent or guardian has authorized to receive notification of an involuntary examination. At a minimum, the principal or the principal’s designee must take the following actions:
a. Use available methods of communication to contact the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact, including, but not limited to, telephone calls, text messages, e-mails, and voice mail messages following the decision to initiate an involuntary examination of the student.
b. Document the method and number of attempts made to contact the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact, and the outcome of each attempt.
A principal or his or her designee who successfully notifies any other known emergency contact may share only the information necessary to alert such contact that the parent or caregiver must be contacted. All such information must be in compliance with federal and state law.
2. The principal or the principal’s designee may delay the required notification for no more than 24 hours after the student is removed if:
a. The principal or the principal’s designee deems the delay to be in the student’s best interest and a report has been submitted to the central abuse hotline, pursuant to s. 39.201, based upon knowledge or suspicion of abuse, abandonment, or neglect; or
b. The principal or principal’s designee reasonably believes that such delay is necessary to avoid jeopardizing the health and safety of the student.
3. Before a principal or his or her designee contacts a law enforcement officer, he or she must verify that de-escalation strategies have been utilized and outreach to a mobile response team has been initiated unless the principal or the principal’s designee reasonably believes that any delay in removing the student will increase the likelihood of harm to the student or others. This requirement does not supersede the authority of a law enforcement officer to act under s. 394.463.
Each district school board shall develop a policy and procedures for notification under this paragraph.
(m) Sun-protective measures in school.—A student may possess and use a topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a physician’s note or prescription if the product is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use to limit ultraviolet light-induced skin damage.
(n) Face covering mandates and quarantine mandates in response to COVID-19.—
1. A district school board, a district school superintendent, an elected or appointed local official, or any district school board employee may not:
a. Require a student to wear a face mask, a face shield, or any other facial covering that fits over the mouth or nose. However, a parent, at the parent’s sole discretion, may allow his or her child to wear a face mask, a face shield, or any other facial covering that fits over the mouth or nose. This prohibition does not apply to safety equipment required as part of a course of study consistent with occupational or laboratory safety requirements.
b. Prohibit a student from attending school or school-sponsored activities, prohibit a student from being on school property, or subject a student to restrictions or disparate treatment, based on an exposure to COVID-19, so long as the student remains asymptomatic and has not received a positive test for COVID-19 as defined in s. 381.00319(1).
A parent of a student, a student who is an emancipated minor, or a student who is 18 years of age or older may bring an action against the school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that an act or practice violates this subparagraph and to seek injunctive relief. A prevailing parent or student, as applicable, must be awarded reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
2. A district school board, a district school superintendent, an elected or appointed local official, or any school district employee may not prohibit an employee from returning to work or subject an employee to restrictions or disparate treatment based on an exposure to COVID-19 so long as the employee remains asymptomatic and has not received a positive test for COVID-19 as defined in s. 381.00319(1).
(o) Naloxone use and supply.—
1. A public school may purchase a supply of the opioid antagonist naloxone from a wholesale distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for naloxone at fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event that a student has an opioid overdose. The naloxone must be maintained in a secure location on the public school’s premises.
2. A school district employee who administers an approved emergency opioid antagonist to a student in compliance with ss. 381.887 and 768.13 is immune from civil liability under s. 768.13.
(p) Use and possession of headache medications.—A student may possess and use a medication to relieve headaches while on school property or at a school-sponsored event or activity without a physician’s note or prescription if the medication is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use to treat headaches.
(4) DISCIPLINE.—
(a) Suspension of public school student.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.09(1)-(4):
1. A student may be suspended only as provided by rule of the district school board. A good faith effort must be made to immediately inform the parent by telephone of the student’s suspension and the reason. Each suspension and the reason must be reported in writing within 24 hours to the parent by United States mail or other method agreed to by the parent. A good faith effort must be made to use parental assistance before suspension unless the situation requires immediate suspension.
2. A student with a disability may only be recommended for suspension or expulsion in accordance with State Board of Education rules.
(b) Expulsion.—Public school students and their parents have the right to written notice of a recommendation of expulsion, including the charges against the student and a statement of the right of the student to due process, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.08(1).
(c) Corporal punishment.—
1. In accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.32, corporal punishment of a public school student may only be administered by a teacher or school principal within guidelines of the school principal and according to district school board policy. Another adult must be present and must be informed in the student’s presence of the reason for the punishment. Upon request, the teacher or school principal must provide the parent with a written explanation of the reason for the punishment and the name of the other adult who was present.
2. A district school board having a policy authorizing the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline shall review its policy on corporal punishment once every 3 years during a district school board meeting held pursuant to s. 1001.372. The district school board shall take public testimony at the board meeting. If such board meeting is not held in accordance with this subparagraph, the portion of the district school board’s policy authorizing corporal punishment expires.
(5) SAFETY.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.13(6), students who have been victims of certain felony offenses by other students, as well as the siblings of the student victims, have the right to be kept separated from the student offender both at school and during school transportation.
(6) EDUCATIONAL CHOICE.—
(a) Public educational school choices.—Parents of public school students may seek any public educational school choice options that are applicable and available to students throughout the state. These options may include controlled open enrollment, single-gender programs, lab schools, virtual instruction programs, charter schools, charter technical career centers, magnet schools, alternative schools, special programs, auditory-oral education programs, advanced placement, dual enrollment, International Baccalaureate, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (pre-AICE), CAPE digital tools, CAPE industry certifications, early college programs, Advanced International Certificate of Education, early admissions, credit by examination or demonstration of competency, the New World School of the Arts, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the Florida Virtual School. These options may also include the public educational choice option of the Opportunity Scholarship Program.
(b) Private educational choices.—Parents of public school students may seek private educational choice options under certain programs established under this chapter.
(c) Home education.—The parent of a student may choose to place the student in a home education program in accordance with the provisions of s. 1002.41.
(d) Private tutoring.—The parent of a student may choose to place the student in a private tutoring program in accordance with the provisions of s. 1002.43(1).
(7) NONDISCRIMINATION.—All education programs, activities, and opportunities offered by public educational institutions must be made available without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or marital status, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1000.05.
(8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Parents of public school students with disabilities and parents of public school students in residential care facilities are entitled to notice and due process in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and 1003.58. Public school students with disabilities must be provided the opportunity to meet the graduation requirements for a standard high school diploma as set forth in s. 1003.4282 in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and 1008.22.
(9) BLIND STUDENTS.—Blind students have the right to an individualized written education program and appropriate instructional materials to attain literacy, in accordance with provisions of s. 1003.55.
(10) LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT STUDENTS.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.56, limited English proficient students have the right to receive ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instruction designed to develop the student’s mastery of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English as rapidly as possible, and the students’ parents have the right of parental involvement in the ESOL program.
(11) STUDENTS WITH READING AND MATHEMATICS DEFICIENCIES.—The parent of any K-3 student who exhibits a substantial reading deficiency or the characteristics of dyslexia pursuant to s. 1008.25(5) or any K-4 student who exhibits a substantial deficiency in mathematics or the characteristics of dyscalculia pursuant to s. 1008.25(6) shall be immediately notified of the student’s deficiency and consulted in the development of a plan, as described in s. 1008.25(4)(b).
(12) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.—A public school student must be excused from reciting the pledge of allegiance upon written request by the student’s parent, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.44.
(13) STUDENT RECORDS.—
(a) Parent rights.—Parents have rights regarding the student records of their children, including right of access, right of waiver of access, right to challenge and hearing, and right of privacy, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1002.22.
(b) Student rights.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1008.386, a student is not required to provide his or her social security number as a condition for enrollment or graduation.
(14) STUDENT REPORT CARDS.—Students and their parents have the right to receive student report cards on a regular basis that clearly depict and grade the student’s academic performance in each class or course, the student’s conduct, and the student’s attendance, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.33.
(15) STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS.—Parents of public school students shall be apprised at regular intervals of the academic progress and other needed information regarding their child, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.02(1)(h)2.
(16) SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RATING REPORTS; FISCAL TRANSPARENCY.—Parents of public school students have the right to an easy-to-read report card about the school’s grade designation or, if applicable under s. 1008.341, the school’s improvement rating, and the school’s accountability report, including the school financial report as required under s. 1010.215. The school financial report must be provided to the parents and indicate the average amount of money expended per student in the school, which must also be included in the student handbook or a similar publication.
(17) ATHLETICS; PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL.—
(a) Eligibility.—Eligibility requirements for all students participating in high school athletic competition must allow a student to be immediately eligible in the school in which he or she first enrolls each school year, the school in which the student makes himself or herself a candidate for an athletic team by engaging in practice before enrolling, or the school to which the student has transferred, in accordance with s. 1006.20(2)(a).
(b) Medical evaluation.—Students must satisfactorily pass a medical evaluation each year before participating in athletics, unless the parent objects in writing based on religious tenets or practices, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.20(2)(d).
(18) EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.15:
(a) Eligibility.—Students who meet specified academic and conduct requirements are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities.
(b) Home education students.—Home education students who meet specified academic and conduct requirements are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at the public school to which the student would be assigned or could choose to attend according to district school board policies, or may develop an agreement to participate at a private school.
(c) Charter school students.—Charter school students who meet specified academic and conduct requirements are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at the public school to which the student would be assigned or could choose to attend according to district school board policies, or may develop an agreement to participate at a private school, unless such activity is provided by the student’s charter school.
(d) Florida Virtual School full-time students.—Florida Virtual School full-time students who meet specified academic and conduct requirements are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at the public school to which the student would be assigned or could choose to attend according to district school board policies, or may develop an agreement to participate at a private school.
(e) Discrimination prohibited.—Organizations that regulate or govern extracurricular activities of public schools shall not discriminate against any eligible student based on an educational choice of public, private, or home education.
(19) INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.—
(a) Core courses.—Each public school student is entitled to sufficient instructional materials in the core courses of mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, reading, and literature, in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.02(1)(d) and 1006.40(2).
(b) Curricular objectives.—The parent of each public school student has the right to receive effective communication from the school principal as to the manner in which instructional materials are used to implement the school’s curricular objectives, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.28(4)(a).
(c) Sale of instructional materials.—Upon request of the parent of a public school student, the school principal must sell to the parent any instructional materials used in the school, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.28(4)(c).
(d) Dual enrollment students.—Instructional materials purchased by a district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees on behalf of public school dual enrollment students shall be made available to the dual enrollment students free of charge, in accordance with s. 1007.271(17).
(20) JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS.—Students who are in juvenile justice programs have the right to receive educational programs and services in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.52.
(21) PARENTAL INPUT AND MEETINGS.—
(a) Meetings with school district personnel.—Parents of public school students may be accompanied by another adult of their choice at a meeting with school district personnel. School district personnel may not object to the attendance of such adult or discourage or attempt to discourage, through an action, statement, or other means, the parents of students with disabilities from inviting another person of their choice to attend a meeting. Such prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, attempted or actual coercion or harassment of parents or students or retaliation or threats of consequences to parents or students.
1. Such meetings include, but are not limited to, meetings related to: the eligibility for exceptional student education or related services; the development of an individual family support plan (IFSP); the development of an individual education plan (IEP); the development of a 504 accommodation plan issued under s. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the transition of a student from early intervention services to other services; the development of postsecondary goals for a student with a disability and the transition services needed to reach those goals; and other issues that may affect the educational environment, discipline, or placement of a student with a disability.
2. The parents and school district personnel attending the meeting shall sign a document at the meeting’s conclusion which states whether any school district personnel have prohibited, discouraged, or attempted to discourage the parents from inviting a person of their choice to the meeting.
(b) District school board educational facilities programs.—Parents of public school students and other members of the public have the right to receive proper public notice and opportunity for public comment regarding the district school board’s educational facilities work program, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1013.35.
(22) TRANSPORTATION.—
(a) Transportation to school.—Public school students shall be provided transportation to school, in accordance with s. 1006.21(3)(a). Public school students may be provided transportation to school in accordance with the controlled open enrollment provisions of s. 1002.31(2).
(b) Hazardous walking conditions.—K-6 public school students shall be provided transportation if they are subjected to hazardous walking conditions, in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1006.21(3)(b) and 1006.23.
(c) Parental consent.—Each parent of a public school student must be notified in writing and give written consent before the student may be transported in a privately owned motor vehicle to a school function.
(23) ORDERLY, DISCIPLINED CLASSROOMS.—Public school students shall be in orderly, disciplined classrooms conducive to learning without the distraction caused by disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive students, in accordance with s. 1003.32.
(24) SAFE SCHOOLS.—
(a) School safety and emergency incidents.—Parents of public school students have a right to timely notification of threats, unlawful acts, and significant emergencies pursuant to s. 1006.07(4) and (7).
(b) School environmental safety incident reporting.—Parents of public school students have a right to access school safety and discipline incidents as reported pursuant to s. 1006.07(9).
1002.205 Guidelines on religious expression; distribution.—The Department of Education shall each year distribute for informational purposes to all district school board members, district school superintendents, school principals, and teachers the entire guidelines on “Religious Expression in Public Schools” published by the United States Department of Education, as updated from time to time.
(1) This section may be cited as the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act.”
(2) A school district may not discriminate against a student, parent, or school personnel on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression. A school district shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner that the school district treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular viewpoint.
(3)(a) A student may express his or her religious beliefs in coursework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination. A student’s homework and classroom assignments shall be evaluated, regardless of their religious content, based on expected academic standards relating to the course curriculum and requirements. A student may not be penalized or rewarded based on the religious content of his or her work if the coursework, artwork, or other written or oral assignments require a student’s viewpoint to be expressed.
(b) A student may wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display a religious message or symbol in the same manner and to the same extent that secular types of clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted to be worn.
(4)(a) A student may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student may engage in secular activities or expression. A student may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and other religious gatherings before, during, and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that a student is permitted to organize secular activities and groups.
(b)1. A school district may not prevent school personnel from participating in religious activities on school grounds that are initiated by students at reasonable times before or after the school day if such activities are voluntary and do not conflict with the responsibilities or assignments of such personnel.
2. A school district shall comply with the federal requirements in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee on the basis of religion.
(c) A school district shall give a religious group access to the same school facilities for assembling as given to secular groups without discrimination based on the religious content of the group’s expression. A group that meets for prayer or other religious speech may advertise or announce its meetings in the same manner and to the same extent that a secular group may advertise or announce its meetings.
(5)(a) A school district shall adopt a policy that establishes a limited public forum for student speakers at any school event at which a student is to speak publicly. The limited public forum policy shall require the school district to:
1. Provide the forum in a manner that does not discriminate against a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject;
2. Provide a method based on neutral criteria for the selection of student speakers at school events, activities, and graduation ceremonies;
3. Ensure that a student speaker does not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent speech; and
4. State in written or oral form that the student’s speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the school district.
(b) The school district shall deliver the disclaimer required in subparagraph (a)4. at all graduation events and any other event at which a student speaks publicly.
(c) Student expression of a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject may not be excluded from the limited public forum.
(6) The Department of Education shall develop a model policy regarding a limited public forum and voluntary expression of religious viewpoints by students and school personnel in public schools pursuant to this section. The department shall publish the model policy on its website. Each district school board shall adopt and implement the department’s model policy.
(1) LEARNING DISABLED STUDENTS.—Impaired and learning disabled students may be eligible for reasonable substitution for admission, graduation, and upper-level division requirements of public postsecondary educational institutions, in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1007.264 and 1007.265.
(2) EXPULSION, SUSPENSION, DISCIPLINE.—Public postsecondary education students may be expelled, suspended, or otherwise disciplined by the president of a public postsecondary educational institution after notice to the student of the charges and a hearing on the charges, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.62.
(3) RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.—Public postsecondary educational institutions must provide reasonable accommodations for the religious practices and beliefs of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.53, and must provide and describe in the student handbook a grievance procedure for students to seek redress when they feel they have been unreasonably denied an educational benefit due to their religious beliefs or practices.
(4) STUDENT HANDBOOKS.—Each state university and Florida College System institution shall provide its students with an up-to-date student handbook that includes student rights and responsibilities, appeals processes available to students, contact persons available to help students, student conduct code, and information regarding HIV and AIDS, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.50.
(5) STUDENT OMBUDSMAN OFFICE.—Each state university and Florida College System institution shall maintain a student ombudsman office and established procedures for students to appeal to the office regarding decisions about the student’s access to courses and credit granted toward the student’s degree, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.51.
1002.22 Education records and reports of K-12 students; rights of parents and students; notification; penalty.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Agency” means any board, agency, or other entity that provides administrative control or direction of or performs services for public elementary or secondary schools, centers, or other institutions as defined in this chapter.
(b) “Institution” means any public school, center, institution, or other entity that is part of Florida’s education system under s. 1000.04(2), (4), and (5).
(2) RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS.—The rights of students and their parents with respect to education records created, maintained, or used by public educational institutions and agencies shall be protected in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, the implementing regulations issued pursuant thereto, and this section. In order to maintain the eligibility of public educational institutions and agencies to receive federal funds and participate in federal programs, the State Board of Education shall comply with the FERPA after the board has evaluated and determined that the FERPA is consistent with the following principles:
(a) Students and their parents shall have the right to access their education records, including the right to inspect and review those records.
(b) Students and their parents shall have the right to waive their access to their education records in certain circumstances.
(c) Students and their parents shall have the right to challenge the content of education records in order to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise a violation of privacy or other rights.
(d) Students and their parents shall have the right of privacy with respect to such records and reports.
(e) Students and their parents shall receive annual notice of their rights with respect to education records.
(3) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—The State Board of Education shall:
(a) Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section.
(b) Monitor the FERPA and notify the Legislature of any significant change to the requirements of the FERPA or other major changes in federal law which may impact this section.
(c) Advise the Legislature of any change in the FERPA which may create a need for an exemption to the requirements of s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(4) PENALTY.—If any official or employee of an institution refuses to comply with this section, the aggrieved parent or student has an immediate right to bring an action in circuit court to enforce his or her rights by injunction. Any aggrieved parent or student who receives injunctive relief may be awarded attorney fees and court costs.
(5) APPLICABILITY TO RECORDS OF DEFUNCT INSTITUTIONS.—This section applies to student records that any nonpublic educational institution that is no longer operating has deposited with the district school superintendent in the county where the nonpublic educational institution was located.
1002.221 K-12 education records; public records exemption.—
(1) Education records, as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and the federal regulations issued pursuant thereto, are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(2)(a) An agency or institution, as defined in s. 1002.22, may not release a student’s education records without the written consent of the student or parent to any individual, agency, or organization, except in accordance with and as permitted by the FERPA.
(b) Education records released by an agency or institution, as defined in s. 1002.22, to the Auditor General or the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, which are necessary for such agencies to perform their official duties and responsibilities, must be used and maintained by the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability in accordance with the FERPA.
(c) In accordance with the FERPA and the federal regulations issued pursuant to the FERPA, an agency or institution, as defined in s. 1002.22, may release a student’s education records without written consent of the student or parent to parties to an interagency agreement among the Department of Juvenile Justice, the school, law enforcement authorities, and other signatory agencies. Information provided pursuant to an interagency agreement may be used for proceedings initiated under chapter 984 or chapter 985.
1002.222 Limitations on collection of information and disclosure of confidential and exempt student records.—
(1) An agency or institution as defined in s. 1002.22(1) may not:
(a) Collect, obtain, or retain information on the political affiliation, voting history, religious affiliation, or biometric information of a student or a parent or sibling of the student. For purposes of this subsection, the term “biometric information” means information collected from the electronic measurement or evaluation of any physical or behavioral characteristics that are attributable to a single person, including fingerprint characteristics, hand characteristics, eye characteristics, vocal characteristics, and any other physical characteristics used for the purpose of electronically identifying that person with a high degree of certainty. Examples of biometric information include, but are not limited to, a fingerprint or hand scan, a retina or iris scan, a voice print, or a facial geometry scan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, a school district that used a palm scanner system for identifying students for breakfast and lunch programs on March 1, 2014, may continue to use the palm scanner system through the 2014-2015 school year.
(b) Provide education records made confidential and exempt by s. 1002.221 or federal law to:
1. A person as defined in s. 1.01(3) except when authorized by s. 1002.221 or in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order;
2. A public body, body politic, or political subdivision as defined in s. 1.01(8) except when authorized by s. 1002.221 or in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order; or
3. An agency of the Federal Government except when authorized by s. 1002.221, required by federal law, or in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order.
(2) The governing board of an agency or institution may only designate information as directory information in accordance with 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g and applicable federal regulations. Such designation must occur at a regularly scheduled meeting of the governing board. The governing board of an agency or institution must consider whether designation of such information would put students at risk of becoming targets of marketing campaigns, the media, or criminal acts. An agency or institution may charge fees for copies of designated directory information as provided in s. 119.07(4).
1002.225 Education records of students in public postsecondary educational institutions; penalty.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “education records” means education records as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and the federal regulations issued pursuant thereto.
(2) All public postsecondary educational institutions shall comply with the FERPA with respect to the education records of students. A public postsecondary educational institution may charge fees for furnishing copies of education records that are requested under this section. Such fees may not exceed the actual cost incurred by the institution for producing such copies and may not include the costs of searching for or retrieving the education records.
(3) If any public postsecondary educational institution refuses to comply with this section, the aggrieved student has an immediate right to bring an action in circuit court to enforce his or her rights by injunction. Any aggrieved student who brings such action and whose rights are vindicated may be awarded attorney’s fees and court costs.
1002.23 Family and School Partnership for Student Achievement Act.—
(1) The purpose of the Family and School Partnership for Student Achievement Act is to:
(a) Provide parents with specific information about their child’s educational progress;
(b) Provide parents with comprehensive information about their choices and opportunities for involvement in their child’s education; and
(c) Provide a framework for building and strengthening partnerships among parents, teachers, principals, district school superintendents, and other personnel.
Each district school board, school district superintendent, and teacher shall fully support and cooperate in implementing a well-planned, inclusive, and comprehensive program to assist parents and families in effectively participating in their child’s education.
(2) To facilitate meaningful parent and family involvement, the Department of Education shall develop guidelines for a parent guide to successful student achievement which describes what parents need to know about their child’s educational progress and how they can help their child to succeed in school. The guidelines shall include, but need not be limited to:
(a) Parental information regarding:
1. Requirements for their child to be promoted to the next grade, as provided for in s. 1008.25;
2. Progress of their child toward achieving state and district expectations for academic proficiency;
3. Assessment results, including report cards and progress reports;
4. Qualifications of their child’s teachers; and
5. School entry requirements, including required immunizations and the recommended immunization schedule;
(b) Services available for parents and their children, such as family literacy services; mentoring, tutorial, and other academic reinforcement programs; college planning, academic advisement, and student counseling services; and after-school programs;
(c) Opportunities for parental participation, such as parenting classes, adult education, school advisory councils, and school volunteer programs;
(d) Opportunities for parents to learn about rigorous academic programs that may be available for their child, such as honors programs, dual enrollment, advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (pre-AICE), Advanced International Certificate of Education, Florida Virtual High School courses, and accelerated access to postsecondary education;
(e) Educational choices, as provided for in s. 1002.20(6), and Florida tax credit scholarships, as provided for in s. 1002.395;
(f) Classroom and test accommodations available for students with disabilities;
(g) School board rules, policies, and procedures for student promotion and retention, academic standards, student assessment, courses of study, instructional materials, and contact information for school and district offices; and
(h) Resources for information on student health and other available resources for parents.
(3) The Department of Education shall develop and disseminate a checklist for school districts to provide to parents to assist with the parent’s involvement in their child’s educational progress. The checklist shall address parental actions that:
(a) Strengthen the child’s academic progress, especially in the area of reading;
(b) Strengthen the child’s citizenship, especially social skills and respect for others;
(c) Strengthen the child’s realization of high expectations and setting lifelong learning goals; and
(d) Place a strong emphasis on the communication between the school and the home.
(4) Each district school board shall adopt rules that strengthen family involvement and family empowerment. The rules shall be developed in collaboration with parents, school administrators, teachers, and community partners, and shall address:
(a) Parental choices and responsibilities;
(b) Links with community services;
(c) Opportunities for parental involvement in the development, implementation, and evaluation of family involvement programs; and
(d) Opportunities for parents to participate on school advisory councils and in school volunteer programs and other activities.
(5) Each school district shall develop and disseminate a parent guide to successful student achievement, consistent with the guidelines of the Department of Education, which addresses what parents need to know about their child’s educational progress and how parents can help their child to succeed in school. The guide must:
(a) Be understandable to students and parents;
(b) Be distributed to all parents, students, and school personnel at the beginning of each school year;
(c) Be discussed at the beginning of each school year in meetings of students, parents, and teachers;
(d) Include information concerning services, opportunities, choices, academic standards, and student assessment; and
(e) Provide information on the importance of student health and available immunizations and vaccinations, including, but not limited to:
1. A recommended immunization schedule in accordance with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
2. Detailed information regarding the causes, symptoms, and transmission of meningococcal disease and the availability, effectiveness, known contraindications, and appropriate age for the administration of any required or recommended vaccine against meningococcal disease, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The parent guide may be included as a part of the code of student conduct that is required in s. 1006.07(2).
(6) Each school district shall develop and disseminate a checklist of parental actions that can strengthen parental involvement in their child’s educational progress, consistent with the requirements in subsection (3). The checklist shall be provided each school year to all parents of students in kindergarten through grade 12 and shall focus on academics, especially reading, high expectations for students, citizenship, and communication.
1002.31 Controlled open enrollment; public school parental choice.
1002.3105 Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options.
1002.32 Developmental research (laboratory) schools.
1002.321 Digital learning.
1002.33 Charter schools.
1002.3301 Charter School Review Commission.
1002.3305 College-Preparatory Boarding Academy Pilot Program for at-risk students.
1002.331 High-performing charter schools.
1002.332 High-performing charter school system.
1002.333 Persistently low-performing schools.
1002.334 Innovative Blended Learning and Real-Time Student Assessment Pilot Program.
1002.34 Charter technical career centers.
1002.345 Determination of deteriorating financial conditions and financial emergencies for charter schools and charter technical career centers.
1002.35 New World School of the Arts.
1002.351 The Florida School for Competitive Academics.
1002.36 Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
1002.37 The Florida Virtual School.
1002.38 Opportunity Scholarship Program.
1002.391 Auditory-oral education programs; Bridge to Speech Program.
1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
1002.395 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
1002.40 The Hope Scholarship Program.
1002.31 Controlled open enrollment; public school parental choice.—
(1) As used in this section, “controlled open enrollment” means a public education delivery system that allows school districts to make student school assignments using parents’ indicated preferential educational choice as a significant factor.
(2)(a) As part of a school district’s or charter school’s controlled open enrollment process, and in addition to the existing public school choice programs provided in s. 1002.20(6)(a), each district school board or charter school shall allow a parent from any school district in the state whose child is not subject to a current expulsion or suspension to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school, including charter schools, that has not reached capacity in the district, subject to the maximum class size pursuant to s. 1003.03 and s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution. The school district or charter school shall accept the student, pursuant to that school district’s or charter school’s controlled open enrollment process, and report the student for purposes of the school district’s or charter school’s funding pursuant to the Florida Education Finance Program. A school district or charter school may provide transportation to students described under this section.
(b) Each school district and charter school capacity determinations for its schools, by grade level, must be updated every 12 weeks and be identified on the school district and charter school’s websites. In determining the capacity of each district school, the district school board shall incorporate the specifications, plans, elements, and commitments contained in the school district educational facilities plan and the long-term work programs required under s. 1013.35. Each charter school governing board shall determine capacity based upon its charter school contract. Each virtual charter school and each school district with a contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider shall determine capacity based upon the enrollment requirements established under s. 1002.45(1)(d)4.
(c) Each district school board must provide preferential treatment in its controlled open enrollment process to all of the following:
1. Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
2. Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
3. Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or the serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
4. Students residing in the school district.
(d) As part of its controlled open enrollment process, a charter school may provide preferential treatment in its controlled open enrollment participation process to the enrollment limitations pursuant to s. 1002.33(10), if such special purposes are identified in the charter agreement. Each charter school shall annually post on its website the application process required to participate in controlled open enrollment, consistent with this section and s. 1002.33.
(e) Students residing in the district, including charter school students, may not be displaced by a student from another district seeking enrollment under the controlled open enrollment process.
(f) For purposes of continuity of educational choice, a student who transfers pursuant to this section may remain at the school chosen by the parent until the student completes the highest grade level at the school.
(3) Each district school board shall adopt by rule and post on its website the process required to participate in controlled open enrollment. The process must:
(a) Adhere to federal desegregation requirements.
(b) Allow parents to declare school preferences, including placement of siblings within the same school.
(c) Provide a lottery procedure to determine student assignment and establish an appeals process for hardship cases.
(d) Afford parents of students in multiple session schools preferred access to controlled open enrollment.
(e) Maintain socioeconomic, demographic, and racial balance.
(f) Require school districts to provide information on transportation options, such as:
1. The responsibility of school districts to provide transportation to another public school pursuant to ss. 1002.38 and 1002.394.
2. The availability of funds for transportation under ss. 1002.394, 1002.395, and 1011.68.
3. Any other transportation the school district may provide.
4. Any transportation options available in the community.
(g) Maintain existing academic eligibility criteria for public school choice programs pursuant to s. 1002.20(6)(a).
(h) Identify schools that have not reached capacity, as determined by the school district.
(i) Ensure that each district school board adopts a policy to provide preferential treatment pursuant to paragraph (2)(c).
(j) Require school districts to maintain a wait list of students who are denied access due to capacity and notify parents when space becomes available.
(k) Require schools to accept students throughout the school year as capacity becomes available.
(l) Enable a student who, in middle school, completed a career and technical education course or an industry certification included in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List to continue a sequential program of career and technical education in the same concentration, if a high school in the district offers the program.
(4) In accordance with the reporting requirements of s. 1011.62, each district school board shall annually report the number of students exercising public school choice, by type, in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
(5) For a school or program that is a public school of choice under this section, the calculation for compliance with maximum class size pursuant to s. 1003.03(4) is the average number of students at the school level.
(6)(a) A school district or charter school may not delay eligibility or otherwise prevent a student participating in controlled open enrollment or a choice program from being immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular activities.
(b) A student may not participate in a sport if the student participated in that same sport at another school during that school year, unless the student meets one of the following criteria:
1. Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
2. Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
3. Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or the serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
4. Authorized for good cause in district or charter school policy.
(7) Contingent upon a legislative appropriation, and on a first-come, first-served basis, a public school student enrolled in kindergarten through grade 8 may receive a stipend from an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, as defined in s. 1002.395(2), for transportation to a Florida nonvirtual public school that is different from the school to which the student is assigned or to a developmental research school authorized under s. 1002.32.
(a) For an eligible student to receive a stipend, the student’s parent must:
1. Submit an application to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for the specified school year and by the deadline established by the organization.
2. Provide the documentation necessary to verify the student’s eligibility for the specified school year.
3. Be responsible for the payment of all transportation-related expenses in excess of the amount of the stipend.
(b) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall distribute the stipends to the parents of the eligible students in accordance with the requirements for the organization under this chapter. For the 2024-2025 school year, priority shall be given to households with a student who received a transportation scholarship pursuant to s. 1002.394(4)(a)2. and (12)(a)2., Florida Statutes 2023, or s. 1002.395(6)(d)2.b., Florida Statutes 2023, during the previous school year and is determined eligible for a transportation stipend for the 2024-2025 school year. For the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, priority shall be given to renewing households with an eligible student. Any remaining stipends shall be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
(c) The Department of Education shall have the same duties imposed by this chapter upon the department regarding the oversight of scholarship programs administered by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
(d) The amount of the stipend for an eligible student shall be as specified in the General Appropriations Act. A household that has more than one eligible student may only receive one stipend.
(e) Upon notification from the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization that a student has been determined eligible for a stipend, the department shall release the student’s stipend to the organization.
(f) Moneys received pursuant to this subsection do not constitute taxable income to the qualified student or his or her parent.
(g) No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the stipend or use of the stipend.
1002.3105 Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options.—
(1) ACCEL OPTIONS.—
(a) Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options are educational options that provide academically challenging curriculum or accelerated instruction to eligible public school students in kindergarten through grade 12.
(b) At a minimum, each school must offer the following ACCEL options: whole-grade and midyear promotion; subject-matter acceleration; virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects; and the Credit Acceleration Program under s. 1003.4295. Additional ACCEL options may include, but are not limited to, enriched science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework; enrichment programs; flexible grouping; advanced academic courses; combined classes; self-paced instruction; rigorous industry certifications that are articulated to college credit and approved pursuant to ss. 1003.492 and 1008.44; work-related internships or apprenticeships; curriculum compacting; advanced-content instruction; and telescoping curriculum.
(2) ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) Principal determined eligibility requirements.—
1. Each principal must establish student eligibility requirements for virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects. Each principal must also establish student eligibility requirements for whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, and subject-matter acceleration when the promotion or acceleration occurs within the principal’s school.
2. If a school offers enriched STEM coursework, enrichment programs, flexible grouping, advanced academic courses, combined classes, self-paced instruction, curriculum compacting, advanced-content instruction, telescoping curriculum, or an alternative ACCEL option established by the principal, the principal must establish student eligibility requirements.
(b) School district determined eligibility and procedural requirements.—A school district must establish student eligibility requirements and procedural requirements for any whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, or subject-matter acceleration that would result in a student attending a different school. Student eligibility requirements and procedural requirements established by the school district must be included in the school district’s comprehensive student progression plan under s. 1008.25.
(3) STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS.—When establishing student eligibility requirements, principals and school districts must consider, at a minimum:
(a) The student’s performance on a locally determined assessment, a statewide assessment, or a statewide, standardized assessment administered pursuant to s. 1008.22.
(b) The student’s grade point average.
(c) The student’s attendance and conduct record.
(d) Recommendations from one or more of the student’s teachers in core-curricula courses as defined in s. 1003.01(5)(a)-(e).
(e) A recommendation from a certified school counselor if one is assigned to the school in which the student is enrolled.
(4) ACCEL REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) Each principal must inform parents and students of the ACCEL options available at the school and the student eligibility requirements for the ACCEL options established pursuant to paragraph (2)(a).
(b)1. Each principal must establish a process by which a parent may request student participation in whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, and subject-matter acceleration when the promotion or acceleration occurs within the principal’s school; virtual instruction in higher grade level subjects; or an alternative ACCEL option established by the principal. If the parent selects one of these ACCEL options and the student meets the eligibility requirements established by the principal pursuant to paragraph (2)(a), the student must be provided the opportunity to participate in the ACCEL option.
2. Each school district must establish a process by which a parent may request student participation in whole-grade promotion, midyear promotion, or subject-matter acceleration that would result in a student attending a different school. If the parent selects one of these ACCEL options and the student meets the eligibility and procedural requirements set forth in the district’s comprehensive student progression plan, as required under paragraph (2)(b), the student must be provided the opportunity to participate in the ACCEL option.
(c) If a student participates in an ACCEL option pursuant to the parental request under subparagraph (b)1., a performance contract is not required but may be used at the discretion of the principal. If a principal initiates a student’s participation in an ACCEL option, the student’s parent must be notified. A performance contract is not required when a principal initiates participation but may be used at the discretion of the principal.
(5) AWARD OF A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.—A student who meets the following grade 9 cohort graduation requirements shall be awarded a standard high school diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education:
(a) The applicable grade 9 cohort graduation requirements of s. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e);
(b)1. For a student who enters grade 9 before the 2023-2024 school year, earn three credits in electives; or
2. For a student who enters grade 9 in the 2023-2024 school year and thereafter, earn two and one-half credits in electives and one-half credit in financial literacy; and
(c) Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
1002.32 Developmental research (laboratory) schools.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Sidney Martin Developmental Research School Act.”
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a category of public schools to be known as developmental research (laboratory) schools (lab schools). Each lab school shall provide sequential instruction and shall be affiliated with the college of education within the state university of closest geographic proximity. A lab school to which a charter has been issued under s. 1002.33(5)(a)2. must be affiliated with the college of education within the state university that issued the charter, but is not subject to the requirement that the state university be of closest geographic proximity. For the purpose of state funding, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, the University of Florida, and other universities approved by the State Board of Education and the Legislature are authorized to sponsor a lab school. The limitation of one lab school per university shall not apply to the following legislatively allowed charter lab schools: Florida State University Charter Lab K-12 School in Broward County, Florida State University Charter Lab K-12 School in Leon County, and Florida Atlantic University Charter Lab K-12 School in Palm Beach County. The limitation of one lab school per university does not apply to a university that establishes a lab school to serve families of a military installation that is within the same county as a branch campus that offers programs from the university’s college of education.
(3) MISSION.—The mission of a lab school shall be the provision of a vehicle for the conduct of research, demonstration, and evaluation regarding management, teaching, and learning. Programs to achieve the mission of a lab school shall embody the goals and standards established pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and 1001.23(1) and shall ensure an appropriate education for its students.
(a) Each lab school shall emphasize mathematics, science, computer science, and foreign languages. The primary goal of a lab school is to enhance instruction and research in such specialized subjects by using the resources available on a state university campus, while also providing an education in nonspecialized subjects. Each lab school shall provide sequential elementary and secondary instruction where appropriate. A lab school may not provide instruction at grade levels higher than grade 12 without authorization from the State Board of Education. Each lab school shall develop and implement a school improvement plan pursuant to s. 1003.02(3).
(b) Research, demonstration, and evaluation conducted at a lab school may be generated by the college of education and other colleges within the university with which the school is affiliated.
(c) Research, demonstration, and evaluation conducted at a lab school may be generated by the State Board of Education. Such research shall respond to the needs of the education community at large, rather than the specific needs of the affiliated college.
(d) Research, demonstration, and evaluation conducted at a lab school may consist of pilot projects to be generated by the affiliated college, the State Board of Education, or the Legislature.
(e) The exceptional education programs offered at a lab school shall be determined by the research and evaluation goals and the availability of students for efficiently sized programs. The fact that a lab school offers an exceptional education program in no way lessens the general responsibility of the local school district to provide exceptional education programs.
(f) Each lab school shall develop programs that accelerate the entry of enrolled lab school students into articulated health care programs at its affiliated university or at any public or private postsecondary institution, with the approval of the university president. Each lab school shall offer technical assistance to any Florida school district seeking to replicate the lab school’s programs and must annually, beginning December 1, 2025, report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the development of such programs and their results.
(4) STUDENT ADMISSIONS.—Each lab school may establish a primary research objective related to fundamental issues and problems that occur in the public elementary and secondary schools of the state. A student population reflective of the student population of the public school environment in which the issues and problems are most prevalent shall be promoted and encouraged through the establishment and implementation of an admission process that is designed to result in a representative sample of public school enrollment based on gender, race, socioeconomic status, and academic ability, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1000.05.
(5) STUDENT FEES.—Each lab school may charge a student activity and service fee. Any school that elects to charge such a fee shall provide information regarding the use of the fee as well as an annual report that documents the manner in which the moneys provided by such fee were expended. The annual report prescribed in this subsection shall be distributed to the parents of each student. No additional fees shall be charged.
(6) SUPPLEMENTAL-SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.—Each lab school may accrue supplemental revenue from supplemental-support organizations, which include, but are not limited to, alumni associations, foundations, parent-teacher associations, and booster associations. The governing body of each supplemental-support organization shall recommend the expenditure of moneys collected by the organization for the benefit of the school. Such expenditures shall be contingent upon the recommendations of the school advisory council and review of the director. The director may override any proposed expenditure of the organization that would violate Florida Statutes or breach sound educational management.
(7) PERSONNEL.—
(a) Each lab school may employ either a director or a principal, or both, at the discretion of the university. The duties of such personnel shall be as follows:
1. Each director shall be the chief executive officer and shall oversee the education, research, and evaluation goals of the school. The director shall be responsible for recommending policy to the advisory board. The director shall be accountable for the financial resources of the school.
2. Each principal shall be the chief educational officer and shall oversee the educational program of the school. The principal shall be accountable for the daily operation and administration of the school.
(b) Faculty may serve simultaneously as instructional personnel for the lab school and the university with which the school is affiliated. Nothing in this section is intended to affect the collective bargaining rights of lab school employees, except as specifically provided in this section.
(c) Lab school faculty members shall meet the certification requirements of ss. 1012.32 and 1012.42.
(8) ADVISORY BOARDS.—Each public school in the state shall establish a school advisory council that is reflective of the population served by the school, pursuant to s. 1001.452, and is responsible for the development and implementation of the school improvement plan pursuant to s. 1003.02(3). Lab schools shall comply with the provisions of s. 1001.452 in one of two ways:
(a) Each lab school may establish two advisory bodies as follows:
1. An advisory body pursuant to the provisions and requirements of s. 1001.452 to be responsible for the development and implementation of the school improvement plan, pursuant to s. 1003.02(3).
2. An advisory board to provide general oversight and guidance. The dean of the affiliated college of education shall be a standing member of the board, and the president of the university shall appoint four faculty members from the related university, at least two of whom are from the college of education, one layperson who resides in the county in which the school is located, two parents of students who attend the lab school, and one lab school student appointed by the principal to serve on the advisory board. The term of each member shall be for 2 years, and any vacancy shall be filled with a person of the same classification as his or her predecessor for the balance of the unexpired term. The president shall stagger the terms of the initial appointees in a manner that results in the expiration of terms of no more than two members in any year. The president shall call the organizational meeting of the board. The board shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair. There shall be no limitation on successive appointments to the board or successive terms that may be served by a chair or vice chair. The board shall adopt internal organizational procedures or bylaws necessary for efficient operation as provided in chapter 120. Board members shall not receive per diem or travel expenses for the performance of their duties. The board shall:
a. Meet at least quarterly.
b. Monitor the operations of the school and the distribution of moneys allocated for such operations.
c. Establish necessary policy, program, and administration modifications.
d. Evaluate biennially the performance of the director and principal and recommend corresponding action to the dean of the college of education.
e. Annually review evaluations of the school’s operation and research findings.
(b) Each lab school may establish one advisory body responsible for the development and implementation of the school improvement plan, pursuant to s. 1003.02(3), in addition to general oversight and guidance responsibilities. The advisory body shall reflect the membership composition requirements established in s. 1001.452, but may also include membership by the dean of the college of education and additional members appointed by the president of the university that represent faculty members from the college of education, the university, or other bodies deemed appropriate for the mission of the school.
(9) FUNDING.—Funding for a lab school, including a charter lab school, shall be provided as follows:
(a) Each lab school shall receive state funds for operating purposes as provided in the Florida Education Finance Program as defined in s. 1011.61(5) based on the county in which the lab school is located and as specified in the General Appropriations Act.
1. The nonvoted required local effort millage established pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) that would otherwise be required for lab schools shall be allocated from state funds.
2. An equivalent amount of funds for the operating discretionary millage authorized pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) shall be allocated to each lab school through a state-funded discretionary contribution established pursuant to s. 1011.62(6).
(b) All operating funds provided under this section shall be expended for the purposes of this section. The university assigned a lab school shall be the fiscal agent for these funds, and all rules of the university governing the budgeting and expenditure of state funds shall apply to these funds unless otherwise provided by law or rule of the State Board of Education. The university board of trustees shall be the public employer of lab school personnel for collective bargaining purposes for lab schools in operation prior to the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Employees of charter lab schools authorized prior to June 1, 2003, but not in operation prior to the 2002-2003 fiscal year shall be employees of the entity holding the charter and must comply with the provisions of s. 1002.33(12).
(c) Each lab school shall receive funds for capital improvement purposes in an amount determined as follows: multiply the maximum allowable nonvoted discretionary millage for capital improvements pursuant to s. 1011.71(2) by 96 percent of the current year’s taxable value for school purposes for the district in which each lab school is located; divide the result by the total full-time equivalent membership of the district; and multiply the result by the full-time equivalent membership of the lab school. The amount obtained shall be discretionary capital improvement funds and shall be appropriated from state funds in the General Appropriations Act.
(d) In addition to the funds appropriated for capital outlay budget needs, lab schools may receive specific funding as specified in the General Appropriations Act for upgrading, renovating, and remodeling science laboratories.
(e) Each lab school is designated a teacher education center and may provide inservice training to school district personnel. The Department of Education shall provide funds for this purpose from appropriations for inservice teacher education.
(10) EXCEPTIONS TO LAW.—To encourage innovative practices and facilitate the mission of the lab schools, in addition to the exceptions to law specified in s. 1001.23(1), the following exceptions shall be permitted for lab schools:
(a) The methods and requirements of the following statutes shall be held in abeyance: ss. 316.75; 1001.30; 1001.31; 1001.32; 1001.33; 1001.34; 1001.35; 1001.36; 1001.361; 1001.362; 1001.363; 1001.37; 1001.371; 1001.372; 1001.38; 1001.39; 1001.395; 1001.40; 1001.41; 1001.44; 1001.453; 1001.46; 1001.461; 1001.462; 1001.463; 1001.464; 1001.47; 1001.48; 1001.49; 1001.50; 1001.51; 1006.12(2); 1006.21(3), (4); 1006.23; 1010.07(2); 1010.40; 1010.41; 1010.42; 1010.43; 1010.44; 1010.45; 1010.46; 1010.47; 1010.48; 1010.49; 1010.50; 1010.51; 1010.52; 1010.53; 1010.54; 1010.55; 1011.02(1)-(3), (5); 1011.04; 1011.20; 1011.21; 1011.22; 1011.23; 1011.71; 1011.72; 1011.73; and 1011.74.
(b) With the exception of s. 1001.42(18), s. 1001.42 shall be held in abeyance. Reference to district school boards in s. 1001.42(18) shall mean the president of the university or the president’s designee.
(1) DIGITAL LEARNING NOW ACT.—There is created the Digital Learning Now Act.
(2) ELEMENTS OF HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL LEARNING.—The Legislature finds that each student should have access to a high-quality digital learning environment that provides:
(a) Access to digital learning.
(b) Access to high-quality digital content and online courses.
(c) Education that is customized to the needs of the student using digital content.
(d) A means for the student to demonstrate competency in completed coursework.
(e) High-quality digital content, instructional materials, and online and blended learning courses.
(f) High-quality digital instruction and teachers.
(g) Content and instruction that are evaluated on the metric of student learning.
(h) The use of funding as an incentive for performance, options, and innovation.
(i) Infrastructure that supports digital learning.
(j) Online administration of state assessments.
(3) CUSTOMIZED AND ACCELERATED LEARNING.—Artificial intelligence provides opportunities to customize and accelerate learning for students and reduce teacher workload. A school district may receive grant funds for subscription fees and professional learning to support and accelerate learning for students in grades 6 through 12 during the school day. Grant recipients must select an artificial intelligence platform that:
(a) Uses large language models based on GPT-4, its equivalent, or a successor, and is on a closed system.
(b) Provides professional learning to teachers.
(c) Provides one-on-one tutoring aligned to the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards for reading and mathematics.
(d) Provides standards-aligned lesson plans and provides insights on student progress.
(e) Provides district- and school-level reporting and parental access to artificial intelligence interactions.
(4) VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.—A school district must establish opportunities for student participation in part-time and full-time kindergarten through grade 12 virtual instruction. Options include, but are not limited to:
(a) School district operated part-time or full-time virtual instruction programs under s. 1002.45 for kindergarten through grade 12 students enrolled in the school district. A full-time program shall operate under its own Master School Identification Number.
(b) Florida Virtual School instructional services authorized under s. 1002.37.
(c) Blended learning instruction provided by charter schools authorized under s. 1002.33.
(d) Virtual charter school instruction authorized under s. 1002.33.
(e) Courses delivered in the traditional school setting by personnel providing direct instruction through virtual instruction or through blended learning courses consisting of both traditional classroom and online instructional techniques pursuant to s. 1003.498.
(f) Virtual courses offered in the course code directory to students within the school district or to students in other school districts throughout the state pursuant to s. 1003.498.
(5) INTEGRITY OF ONLINE COURSES.—It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and willfully take an online course or examination on behalf of another person for compensation. Any person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(6) ONLINE CATALOG.—The department shall develop an online catalog of available digital learning courses provided pursuant to ss. 1002.37, 1002.45, 1003.498, and 1003.499, which provides, for each course, access to the course description, completion and passage rates, and a method for student and teacher users to provide evaluative feedback.
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—All charter schools in Florida are public schools and shall be part of the state’s program of public education. A charter school may be formed by creating a new school or converting an existing public school to charter status. A charter school may operate a virtual charter school pursuant to s. 1002.45(1)(c) to provide online instruction to students, pursuant to s. 1002.455, in kindergarten through grade 12. The school district in which the student enrolls in the virtual charter school shall report the student for funding pursuant to s. 1011.61(1)(c)1.b.(VI), and the home school district shall not report the student for funding. An existing charter school that is seeking to become a virtual charter school must amend its charter or submit a new application pursuant to subsection (6) to become a virtual charter school. A virtual charter school is subject to the requirements of this section; however, a virtual charter school is exempt from subparagraph (7)(a)13., subsections (18) and (19), paragraph (20)(c), and s. 1003.03. A public school may not use the term charter in its name unless it has been approved under this section.
(a) Charter schools in Florida shall be guided by the following principles:
1. Meet high standards of student achievement while providing parents flexibility to choose among diverse educational opportunities within this state’s public school system.
2. Promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility with accountability.
3. Provide parents with sufficient information on whether their child is reading at grade level and whether the child gains at least a year’s worth of learning for every year spent in the charter school.
(b) Charter schools shall fulfill the following purposes:
1. Improve student learning and academic achievement.
2. Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students and reading.
3. Encourage the use of innovative learning methods.
4. Require the measurement of learning outcomes.
(c) Charter schools may fulfill the following purposes:
1. Create innovative measurement tools.
2. Provide rigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate continual improvement in all public schools.
3. Expand the capacity of the public school system.
4. Mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units.
5. Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including ownership of the learning program at the school site.
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that charter school students be considered as important as all other students in this state and, to that end, comparable funding levels from existing and future sources should be maintained for charter school students.
(3) APPLICATION FOR CHARTER STATUS.—
(a) An application for a new charter school may be made by an individual, teachers, parents, a group of individuals, a municipality, or a legal entity organized under the laws of this state.
(b) An application for a conversion charter school shall be made by the district school board, the principal, teachers, parents, and/or the school advisory council at an existing public school that has been in operation for at least 2 years prior to the application to convert. A public school-within-a-school that is designated as a school by the district school board may also submit an application to convert to charter status. An application submitted proposing to convert an existing public school to a charter school shall demonstrate the support of at least 50 percent of the teachers employed at the school and 50 percent of the parents voting whose children are enrolled at the school, provided that a majority of the parents eligible to vote participate in the ballot process, according to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. A district school board denying an application for a conversion charter school shall provide notice of denial to the applicants in writing within 10 days after the meeting at which the district school board denied the application. The notice must articulate in writing the specific reasons for denial and must provide documentation supporting those reasons. A private school, parochial school, or home education program shall not be eligible for charter school status.
(4) UNLAWFUL REPRISAL.—
(a) No district school board, or district school board employee who has control over personnel actions, shall take unlawful reprisal against another district school board employee because that employee is either directly or indirectly involved with an application to establish a charter school. As used in this subsection, the term “unlawful reprisal” means an action taken by a district school board or a school system employee against an employee who is directly or indirectly involved in a lawful application to establish a charter school, which occurs as a direct result of that involvement, and which results in one or more of the following: disciplinary or corrective action; adverse transfer or reassignment, whether temporary or permanent; suspension, demotion, or dismissal; an unfavorable performance evaluation; a reduction in pay, benefits, or rewards; elimination of the employee’s position absent of a reduction in workforce as a result of lack of moneys or work; or other adverse significant changes in duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the employee’s salary or employment classification. The following procedures shall apply to an alleged unlawful reprisal that occurs as a consequence of an employee’s direct or indirect involvement with an application to establish a charter school:
1. Within 60 days after the date upon which a reprisal prohibited by this subsection is alleged to have occurred, an employee may file a complaint with the Department of Education.
2. Within 3 working days after receiving a complaint under this section, the Department of Education shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint and provide copies of the complaint and any other relevant preliminary information available to each of the other parties named in the complaint, which parties shall each acknowledge receipt of such copies to the complainant.
3. If the Department of Education determines that the complaint demonstrates reasonable cause to suspect that an unlawful reprisal has occurred, the Department of Education shall conduct an investigation to produce a fact-finding report.
4. Within 90 days after receiving the complaint, the Department of Education shall provide the district school superintendent of the complainant’s district and the complainant with a fact-finding report that may include recommendations to the parties or a proposed resolution of the complaint. The fact-finding report shall be presumed admissible in any subsequent or related administrative or judicial review.
5. If the Department of Education determines that reasonable grounds exist to believe that an unlawful reprisal has occurred, is occurring, or is to be taken, and is unable to conciliate a complaint within 60 days after receipt of the fact-finding report, the Department of Education shall terminate the investigation. Upon termination of any investigation, the Department of Education shall notify the complainant and the district school superintendent of the termination of the investigation, providing a summary of relevant facts found during the investigation and the reasons for terminating the investigation. A written statement under this paragraph is presumed admissible as evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding.
6. The Department of Education shall either contract with the Division of Administrative Hearings under s. 120.65, or otherwise provide for a complaint for which the Department of Education determines reasonable grounds exist to believe that an unlawful reprisal has occurred, is occurring, or is to be taken, and is unable to conciliate, to be heard by a panel of impartial persons. Upon hearing the complaint, the panel shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law for a final decision by the Department of Education.
It shall be an affirmative defense to any action brought pursuant to this section that the adverse action was predicated upon grounds other than, and would have been taken absent, the employee’s exercise of rights protected by this section.
(b) In any action brought under this section for which it is determined reasonable grounds exist to believe that an unlawful reprisal has occurred, is occurring, or is to be taken, the relief shall include the following:
1. Reinstatement of the employee to the same position held before the unlawful reprisal was commenced, or to an equivalent position, or payment of reasonable front pay as alternative relief.
2. Reinstatement of the employee’s full fringe benefits and seniority rights, as appropriate.
3. Compensation, if appropriate, for lost wages, benefits, or other lost remuneration caused by the unlawful reprisal.
4. Payment of reasonable costs, including attorney’s fees, to a substantially prevailing employee, or to the prevailing employer if the employee filed a frivolous action in bad faith.
5. Issuance of an injunction, if appropriate, by a court of competent jurisdiction.
6. Temporary reinstatement to the employee’s former position or to an equivalent position, pending the final outcome of the complaint, if it is determined that the action was not made in bad faith or for a wrongful purpose, and did not occur after a district school board’s initiation of a personnel action against the employee that includes documentation of the employee’s violation of a disciplinary standard or performance deficiency.
(5) SPONSOR; DUTIES.—
(a) Sponsoring entities.—
1. A district school board may sponsor a charter school in the county over which the district school board has jurisdiction.
2. A state university may grant a charter to a lab school created under s. 1002.32 and shall be considered to be the school’s sponsor. Such school shall be considered a charter lab school.
3. Because needs relating to educational capacity, workforce qualifications, and career education opportunities are constantly changing and extend beyond school district boundaries:
a. A state university may, upon approval by the Department of Education, solicit applications and sponsor a charter school to meet regional education or workforce demands by serving students from multiple school districts.
b. A Florida College System institution may, upon approval by the Department of Education, solicit applications and sponsor a charter school in any county within its service area to meet workforce demands and may offer postsecondary programs leading to industry certifications to eligible charter school students. A charter school established under subparagraph (b)4. may not be sponsored by a Florida College System institution until its existing charter with the school district expires as provided under subsection (7).
c. Notwithstanding paragraph (6)(b), a state university or Florida College System institution may, at its discretion, deny an application for a charter school.
d. The Charter School Review Commission, as authorized under s. 1002.3301, may solicit and review applications for charter schools overseen by district school boards and, upon the commission approving an application, the district school board that oversees the school district in which the charter school will be located shall serve as sponsor.
(b) Sponsor duties.—
1.a. The sponsor shall monitor and review the charter school in its progress toward the goals established in the charter.
b. The sponsor shall monitor the revenues and expenditures of the charter school and perform the duties provided in s. 1002.345.
c. The sponsor may approve a charter for a charter school before the applicant has identified space, equipment, or personnel, if the applicant indicates approval is necessary for it to raise working funds.
d. The sponsor may not apply its policies to a charter school unless mutually agreed to by both the sponsor and the charter school. If the sponsor subsequently amends any agreed-upon sponsor policy, the version of the policy in effect at the time of the execution of the charter, or any subsequent modification thereof, shall remain in effect and the sponsor may not hold the charter school responsible for any provision of a newly revised policy until the revised policy is mutually agreed upon.
e. The sponsor shall ensure that the charter is innovative and consistent with the state education goals established by s. 1000.03(5).
f. The sponsor shall ensure that the charter school participates in the state’s education accountability system. If a charter school falls short of performance measures included in the approved charter, the sponsor shall report such shortcomings to the Department of Education.
g. The sponsor is not liable for civil damages under state law for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from an act or omission of an officer, employee, agent, or governing body of the charter school.
h. The sponsor is not liable for civil damages under state law for any employment actions taken by an officer, employee, agent, or governing body of the charter school.
i. The sponsor’s duties to monitor the charter school do not constitute the basis for a private cause of action.
j. The sponsor may not impose additional reporting requirements on a charter school as long as the charter school has not been identified as having a deteriorating financial condition or financial emergency pursuant to s. 1002.345.
k. The sponsor shall submit an annual report to the Department of Education in a web-based format to be determined by the department.
(I) The report shall include the following information:
(A) The number of applications received during the school year and up to August 1 and each applicant’s contact information.
(B) The date each application was approved, denied, or withdrawn.
(C) The date each final contract was executed.
(II) Annually, by November 1, the sponsor shall submit to the department the information for the applications submitted the previous year.
(III) The department shall compile an annual report, by sponsor, and post the report on its website by January 15 of each year.
2. Immunity for the sponsor of a charter school under subparagraph 1. applies only with respect to acts or omissions not under the sponsor’s direct authority as described in this section.
3. This paragraph does not waive a sponsor’s sovereign immunity.
4. A Florida College System institution may work with the school district or school districts in its designated service area to develop charter schools that offer secondary education. These charter schools must include an option for students to receive an associate degree upon high school graduation. If a Florida College System institution operates an approved teacher preparation program under s. 1004.04 or s. 1004.85, the institution may operate charter schools that serve students in kindergarten through grade 12 in any school district within the service area of the institution. District school boards shall cooperate with and assist the Florida College System institution on the charter application. Florida College System institution applications for charter schools are not subject to the time deadlines outlined in subsection (6) and may be approved by the district school board at any time during the year. Florida College System institutions may not report FTE for any students participating under this subparagraph who receive FTE funding through the Florida Education Finance Program.
5. For purposes of assisting the development of a charter school, a school district may enter into nonexclusive interlocal agreements with federal and state agencies, counties, municipalities, and other governmental entities that operate within the geographical borders of the school district to act on behalf of such governmental entities in the inspection, issuance, and other necessary activities for all necessary permits, licenses, and other permissions that a charter school needs in order for development, construction, or operation. A charter school may use, but may not be required to use, a school district for these services. The interlocal agreement must include, but need not be limited to, the identification of fees that charter schools will be charged for such services. The fees must consist of the governmental entity’s fees plus a fee for the school district to recover no more than actual costs for providing such services. These services and fees are not included within the services to be provided pursuant to subsection (20). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an interlocal agreement or ordinance that imposes a greater regulatory burden on charter schools than school districts or that prohibits or limits the creation of a charter school is void and unenforceable. An interlocal agreement entered into by a school district for the development of only its own schools, including provisions relating to the extension of infrastructure, may be used by charter schools.
6. The board of trustees of a sponsoring state university or Florida College System institution under paragraph (a) is the local educational agency for all charter schools it sponsors for purposes of receiving federal funds and accepts full responsibility for all local educational agency requirements and the schools for which it will perform local educational agency responsibilities. A student enrolled in a charter school that is sponsored by a state university or Florida College System institution may not be included in the calculation of the school district’s grade under s. 1008.34(5) for the school district in which he or she resides.
(c) Sponsor accountability.—
1. The department shall, in collaboration with charter school sponsors and charter school operators, develop a sponsor evaluation framework that must address, at a minimum:
a. The sponsor’s strategic vision for charter school authorization and the sponsor’s progress toward that vision.
b. The alignment of the sponsor’s policies and practices to best practices for charter school authorization.
c. The academic and financial performance of all operating charter schools overseen by the sponsor.
d. The status of charter schools authorized by the sponsor, including approved, operating, and closed schools.
2. The department shall compile the results by sponsor and include the results in the report required under sub-sub-subparagraph (b)1.k.(III).
(6) APPLICATION PROCESS AND REVIEW.—Charter school applications are subject to the following requirements:
(a) A person or entity seeking to open a charter school shall prepare and submit an application on the standard application form prepared by the Department of Education which:
1. Demonstrates how the school will use the guiding principles and meet the statutorily defined purpose of a charter school.
2. Provides a detailed curriculum plan that illustrates how students will be provided services to attain the state academic standards.
3. Contains goals and objectives for improving student learning and measuring that improvement. These goals and objectives must indicate how much academic improvement students are expected to show each year, how success will be evaluated, and the specific results to be attained through instruction.
4. Describes the reading curriculum and differentiated strategies that will be used for students reading at grade level or higher and a separate curriculum and strategies for students who are reading below grade level. Reading instructional strategies for foundational skills shall include phonics instruction for decoding and encoding as the primary instructional strategy for word reading. Instructional strategies may not employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading. Such strategies may include visual information and strategies that improve background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word reading. A sponsor shall deny an application if the school does not propose a reading curriculum that is consistent with effective teaching strategies that are grounded in scientifically based reading research.
5. Contains an annual financial plan for each year requested by the charter for operation of the school for up to 5 years. This plan must contain anticipated fund balances based on revenue projections, a spending plan based on projected revenues and expenses, and a description of controls that will safeguard finances and projected enrollment trends.
6. Discloses the name of each applicant, governing board member, and all proposed education services providers; the name and sponsor of any charter school operated by each applicant, each governing board member, and each proposed education services provider that has closed and the reasons for the closure; and the academic and financial history of such charter schools, which the sponsor shall consider in deciding whether to approve or deny the application.
7. Contains additional information a sponsor may require, which shall be attached as an addendum to the charter school application described in this paragraph.
8. For the establishment of a virtual charter school, documents that the applicant has contracted with a provider of virtual instruction services pursuant to s. 1002.45(1)(c).
9. Describes the mathematics curriculum and differentiated strategies that will be used for students performing at grade level or higher and a separate mathematics curriculum and strategies for students who are performing below grade level.
(b) A sponsor shall receive and review all applications for a charter school using the evaluation instrument developed by the Department of Education. A sponsor shall receive and consider charter school applications for charter schools to be opened at a time determined by the applicant. A sponsor may not charge an applicant for a charter any fee for the processing or consideration of an application, and a sponsor may not base its consideration or approval of a final application upon the promise of future payment of any kind. Before approving or denying any application, the sponsor shall allow the applicant, upon receipt of written notification, at least 7 calendar days to make technical or nonsubstantive corrections and clarifications, including, but not limited to, corrections of grammatical, typographical, and like errors or missing signatures, if such errors are identified by the sponsor as cause to deny the final application.
1. In order to ensure fiscal responsibility, an application for a charter school shall include a full accounting of expected assets; a projection of expected sources and amounts of income, including income derived from projected student enrollments and from community support; and an expense projection that includes full accounting of the costs of operation, including start-up costs.
2.a. A sponsor shall by a majority vote approve or deny an application no later than 90 calendar days after the application is received, unless the sponsor and the applicant mutually agree in writing to temporarily postpone the vote to a specific date, at which time the sponsor shall by a majority vote approve or deny the application. If the sponsor fails to act on the application, an applicant may appeal to the State Board of Education as provided in paragraph (c). If an application is denied, the sponsor shall, within 10 calendar days after such denial, articulate in writing the specific reasons, based upon good cause, supporting its denial of the application and shall provide the letter of denial and supporting documentation to the applicant and to the Department of Education.
b. An application submitted by a high-performing charter school identified pursuant to s. 1002.331 or a high-performing charter school system identified pursuant to s. 1002.332 may be denied by the sponsor only if the sponsor demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that:
(I) The application of a high-performing charter school does not materially comply with the requirements in paragraph (a) or, for a high-performing charter school system, the application does not materially comply with s. 1002.332(2)(b);
(II) The charter school proposed in the application does not materially comply with the requirements in paragraphs (9)(a)-(f);
(III) The proposed charter school’s educational program does not substantially replicate that of the applicant or one of the applicant’s high-performing charter schools;
(IV) The applicant has made a material misrepresentation or false statement or concealed an essential or material fact during the application process; or
(V) The proposed charter school’s educational program and financial management practices do not materially comply with the requirements of this section.
Material noncompliance is a failure to follow requirements or a violation of prohibitions applicable to charter school applications, which failure is quantitatively or qualitatively significant either individually or when aggregated with other noncompliance. An applicant is considered to be replicating a high-performing charter school if the proposed school is substantially similar to at least one of the applicant’s high-performing charter schools and the organization or individuals involved in the establishment and operation of the proposed school are significantly involved in the operation of replicated schools.
c. If the sponsor denies an application submitted by a high-performing charter school or a high-performing charter school system, the sponsor must, within 10 calendar days after such denial, state in writing the specific reasons, based upon the criteria in sub-subparagraph b., supporting its denial of the application and must provide the letter of denial and supporting documentation to the applicant and to the Department of Education. The applicant may appeal the sponsor’s denial of the application in accordance with paragraph (c).
3. For budget projection purposes, the sponsor shall report to the Department of Education the approval or denial of an application within 10 calendar days after such approval or denial. In the event of approval, the report to the Department of Education shall include the final projected FTE for the approved charter school.
4. A charter school may defer the opening of the school’s operations for up to 3 years to provide time for adequate facility planning. The charter school must provide written notice of such intent to the sponsor and the parents of enrolled students at least 30 calendar days before the first day of school.
(c)1. An applicant may appeal any denial of that applicant’s application or failure to act on an application to the State Board of Education no later than 30 calendar days after receipt of the sponsor’s decision or failure to act and shall notify the sponsor of its appeal. Any response of the sponsor shall be submitted to the State Board of Education within 30 calendar days after notification of the appeal. Upon receipt of notification from the State Board of Education that a charter school applicant is filing an appeal, the Commissioner of Education shall convene a meeting of the Charter School Appeal Commission to study and make recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding its pending decision about the appeal. The commission shall forward its recommendation to the state board at least 7 calendar days before the date on which the appeal is to be heard.
2. The Charter School Appeal Commission may reject an appeal submission for failure to comply with procedural rules governing the appeals process. The rejection shall describe the submission errors. The appellant shall have 15 calendar days after notice of rejection in which to resubmit an appeal that meets the requirements set forth in State Board of Education rule. An appeal submitted subsequent to such rejection is considered timely if the original appeal was filed within 30 calendar days after receipt of notice of the specific reasons for the sponsor’s denial of the charter application.
3.a. The State Board of Education shall by majority vote accept or reject the decision of the sponsor no later than 90 calendar days after an appeal is filed in accordance with State Board of Education rule. The State Board of Education shall remand the application to the sponsor with its written decision that the sponsor approve or deny the application. The sponsor shall implement the decision of the State Board of Education. The decision of the State Board of Education is not subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 120.
b. If an appeal concerns an application submitted by a high-performing charter school identified pursuant to s. 1002.331 or a high-performing charter school system identified pursuant to s. 1002.332, the State Board of Education shall determine whether the sponsor’s denial was in accordance with sub-subparagraph (b)2.b.
(d)1. The sponsor shall act upon the decision of the State Board of Education within 30 calendar days after it is received. The State Board of Education’s decision is a final action subject to judicial review in the district court of appeal. A prevailing party may file an action with the Division of Administrative Hearings to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred during the denial of the application and any appeals.
2. A school district that fails to implement the decision affirmed by a district court of appeal shall reduce the administrative fees withheld pursuant to subsection (20) to 1 percent for all charter schools operating in the school district. Such school districts shall file a monthly report detailing the reduction in the amount of administrative fees withheld. Upon execution of the charter, the sponsor may resume withholding the full amount of administrative fees but may not recover any fees that would have otherwise accrued during the period of noncompliance. Any charter school that had administrative fees withheld in violation of this paragraph may recover attorney fees and costs to enforce the requirements of this paragraph.
(e)1. A Charter School Appeal Commission is established to assist the commissioner and the State Board of Education with a fair and impartial review of appeals by applicants whose charter applications have been denied, whose charter contracts have not been renewed, or whose charter contracts have been terminated by their sponsors.
2. The Charter School Appeal Commission may receive copies of the appeal documents forwarded to the State Board of Education, review the documents, gather other applicable information regarding the appeal, and make a written recommendation to the commissioner. The recommendation must state whether the appeal should be upheld or denied and include the reasons for the recommendation being offered. The commissioner shall forward the recommendation to the State Board of Education no later than 7 calendar days prior to the date on which the appeal is to be heard. The state board must consider the commission’s recommendation in making its decision, but is not bound by the recommendation. The decision of the Charter School Appeal Commission is not subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 120.
3. The commissioner shall appoint a number of members to the Charter School Appeal Commission sufficient to ensure that no potential conflict of interest exists for any commission appeal decision. Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses in conjunction with their service. Of the members hearing the appeal, one-half must represent currently operating charter schools and one-half must represent sponsors. The commissioner or a named designee shall chair the Charter School Appeal Commission.
4. The chair shall convene meetings of the commission and shall ensure that the written recommendations are completed and forwarded in a timely manner. In cases where the commission cannot reach a decision, the chair shall make the written recommendation with justification, noting that the decision was rendered by the chair.
5. Commission members shall thoroughly review the materials presented to them from the appellant and the sponsor. The commission may request information to clarify the documentation presented to it. In the course of its review, the commission may facilitate the postponement of an appeal in those cases where additional time and communication may negate the need for a formal appeal and both parties agree, in writing, to postpone the appeal to the State Board of Education. A new date certain for the appeal shall then be set based upon the rules and procedures of the State Board of Education. Commission members shall provide a written recommendation to the state board as to whether the appeal should be upheld or denied. A fact-based justification for the recommendation must be included. The chair must ensure that the written recommendation is submitted to the State Board of Education members no later than 7 calendar days prior to the date on which the appeal is to be heard. Both parties in the case shall also be provided a copy of the recommendation.
(f)1. The Department of Education shall provide or arrange for training and technical assistance to charter schools in developing and adjusting business plans and accounting for costs and income. Training and technical assistance shall also address, at a minimum, state and federal grant and student performance accountability reporting requirements and provide assistance in identifying and applying for the types and amounts of state and federal financial assistance the charter school may be eligible to receive. The department may provide other technical assistance to an applicant upon written request.
2. A charter school applicant must participate in the training provided by the Department of Education after approval of an application but at least 30 calendar days before the first day of classes at the charter school. However, a sponsor may require the charter school applicant to attend training provided by the sponsor in lieu of the department’s training if the sponsor’s training standards meet or exceed the standards developed by the department. In such case, the sponsor may not require the charter school applicant to attend the training within 30 calendar days before the first day of classes at the charter school. The training must include instruction in accurate financial planning and good business practices. If the applicant is a management company or a nonprofit organization, the charter school principal and the chief financial officer or his or her equivalent must also participate in the training. A sponsor may not require a high-performing charter school or high-performing charter school system applicant to participate in the training described in this subparagraph more than once.
(g) In considering charter applications for a lab school, a state university shall consult with the district school board of the county in which the lab school is located. The decision of a state university may be appealed pursuant to the procedure established in this subsection.
(7) CHARTER.—The terms and conditions for the operation of a charter school, including a virtual charter school, shall be set forth by the sponsor and the applicant in a written contractual agreement, called a charter. The sponsor and the governing board of the charter school or virtual charter school shall use the standard charter contract or standard virtual charter contract, respectively, pursuant to subsection (21), which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda approved with the application. Any term or condition of a proposed charter contract or proposed virtual charter contract that differs from the standard charter or virtual charter contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility. The sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility to meet educational goals. The charter shall be signed by the governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following a public hearing to ensure community input.
(a) The charter shall address and criteria for approval of the charter shall be based on:
1. The school’s mission, the types of students to be served, and, for a virtual charter school, the types of students the school intends to serve who reside outside of the sponsoring school district, and the ages and grades to be included.
2. The focus of the curriculum, the instructional methods to be used, any distinctive instructional techniques to be employed, and identification and acquisition of appropriate technologies needed to improve educational and administrative performance which include a means for promoting safe, ethical, and appropriate uses of technology which comply with legal and professional standards.
a. The charter shall ensure that reading is a primary focus of the curriculum and that resources are provided to identify and provide specialized instruction for students who are reading below grade level. The curriculum and instructional strategies for reading must be consistent with the state’s academic standards and grounded in scientifically based reading research. Reading instructional strategies for foundational skills shall include phonics instruction for decoding and encoding as the primary instructional strategy for word reading. Instructional strategies may not employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading. Such strategies may include visual information and strategies that improve background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word reading.
b. The charter shall ensure that mathematics is a focus of the curriculum and that resources are provided to identify and provide specialized instruction for students who are performing below grade level.
c. In order to provide students with access to diverse instructional delivery models, to facilitate the integration of technology within traditional classroom instruction, and to provide students with the skills they need to compete in the 21st century economy, the Legislature encourages instructional methods for blended learning courses consisting of both traditional classroom and online instructional techniques. Charter schools may implement blended learning courses which combine traditional classroom instruction and virtual instruction. Students in a blended learning course must be full-time students of the charter school pursuant to s. 1011.61(1)(a)1. Instructional personnel certified pursuant to s. 1012.55 who provide virtual instruction for blended learning courses may be employees of the charter school or may be under contract to provide instructional services to charter school students. At a minimum, such instructional personnel must hold an active state or school district adjunct certification under s. 1012.57 for the subject area of the blended learning course. The funding and performance accountability requirements for blended learning courses are the same as those for traditional courses.
3. The current incoming baseline standard of student academic achievement, the outcomes to be achieved, and the method of measurement that will be used. The criteria listed in this subparagraph shall include a detailed description of:
a. How the baseline student academic achievement levels and prior rates of academic progress will be established.
b. How these baseline rates will be compared to rates of academic progress achieved by these same students while attending the charter school.
c. To the extent possible, how these rates of progress will be evaluated and compared with rates of progress of other closely comparable student populations.
A district school board is required to provide academic student performance data to charter schools for each of their students coming from the district school system, as well as rates of academic progress of comparable student populations in the district school system.
4. The methods used to identify the educational strengths and needs of students and how well educational goals and performance standards are met by students attending the charter school. The methods shall provide a means for the charter school to ensure accountability to its constituents by analyzing student performance data and by evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of its major educational programs. Students in charter schools shall, at a minimum, participate in the statewide assessment program created under s. 1008.22.
5. In secondary charter schools, a method for determining that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation in s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282.
6. A method for resolving conflicts between the governing board of the charter school and the sponsor.
7. The admissions procedures and dismissal procedures, including the school’s code of student conduct. Admission or dismissal must not be based on a student’s academic performance, except as authorized under subparagraph (10)(e)5.
8. The ways by which the school will achieve a racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or within the racial/ethnic range of other nearby public schools or school districts.
9. The financial and administrative management of the school, including a reasonable demonstration of the professional experience or competence of those individuals or organizations applying to operate the charter school or those hired or retained to perform such professional services and the description of clearly delineated responsibilities and the policies and practices needed to effectively manage the charter school. A description of internal audit procedures and establishment of controls to ensure that financial resources are properly managed must be included. Both public sector and private sector professional experience shall be equally valid in such a consideration.
10. The asset and liability projections required in the application which are incorporated into the charter and shall be compared with information provided in the annual report of the charter school.
11. A description of procedures that identify various risks and provide for a comprehensive approach to reduce the impact of losses; plans to ensure the safety and security of students and staff; plans to identify, minimize, and protect others from violent or disruptive student behavior; and the manner in which the school will be insured, including whether or not the school will be required to have liability insurance, and, if so, the terms and conditions thereof and the amounts of coverage.
12. The term of the charter which shall provide for cancellation of the charter if insufficient progress has been made in attaining the student achievement objectives of the charter and if it is not likely that such objectives can be achieved before expiration of the charter. The initial term of a charter shall be for 5 years, excluding 2 planning years. In order to facilitate access to long-term financial resources for charter school construction, charter schools that are operated by a municipality or other public entity as provided by law are eligible for up to a 15-year charter, subject to approval by the sponsor. A charter lab school is eligible for a charter for a term of up to 15 years. In addition, to facilitate access to long-term financial resources for charter school construction, charter schools that are operated by a private, not-for-profit, s. 501(c)(3) status corporation are eligible for up to a 15-year charter, subject to approval by the sponsor. Such long-term charters remain subject to annual review and may be terminated during the term of the charter, but only according to the provisions set forth in subsection (8).
13. The facilities to be used and their location. The sponsor may not require a charter school to have a certificate of occupancy or a temporary certificate of occupancy for such a facility earlier than 15 calendar days before the first day of school.
14. The qualifications to be required of the teachers and the potential strategies used to recruit, hire, train, and retain qualified staff to achieve best value.
15. The governance structure of the school, including the status of the charter school as a public or private employer as required in paragraph (12)(i).
16. A timetable for implementing the charter which addresses the implementation of each element thereof and the date by which the charter shall be awarded in order to meet this timetable.
17. In the case of an existing public school that is being converted to charter status, alternative arrangements for current students who choose not to attend the charter school and for current teachers who choose not to teach in the charter school after conversion in accordance with the existing collective bargaining agreement or district school board rule in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement. However, alternative arrangements shall not be required for current teachers who choose not to teach in a charter lab school, except as authorized by the employment policies of the state university which grants the charter to the lab school.
18. Full disclosure of the identity of all relatives employed by the charter school who are related to the charter school owner, president, chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the term “relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
19. Implementation of the activities authorized under s. 1002.331 by the charter school when it satisfies the eligibility requirements for a high-performing charter school. A high-performing charter school shall notify its sponsor in writing by March 1 if it intends to increase enrollment or expand grade levels the following school year. The written notice shall specify the amount of the enrollment increase and the grade levels that will be added, as applicable.
(b) The sponsor has 30 days after approval of the application to provide an initial proposed charter contract to the charter school. The applicant and the sponsor have 40 days thereafter to negotiate and notice the charter contract for final approval by the sponsor unless both parties agree to an extension. The proposed charter contract shall be provided to the charter school at least 7 calendar days before the date of the meeting at which the charter is scheduled to be voted upon by the sponsor. The Department of Education shall provide mediation services for any dispute regarding this section subsequent to the approval of a charter application and for any dispute relating to the approved charter, except a dispute regarding a charter school application denial. If either the charter school or the sponsor indicates in writing that the party does not desire to settle any dispute arising under this section through mediation procedures offered by the Department of Education, a charter school may immediately appeal any formal or informal decision by the sponsor to an administrative law judge appointed by the Division of Administrative Hearings. If the Commissioner of Education determines that the dispute cannot be settled through mediation, the dispute may also be appealed to an administrative law judge appointed by the Division of Administrative Hearings. The administrative law judge has final order authority to rule on issues of equitable treatment of the charter school as a public school, whether proposed provisions of the charter violate the intended flexibility granted charter schools by statute, or any other matter regarding this section, except a dispute regarding charter school application denial, a charter termination, or a charter nonrenewal. The administrative law judge shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred during the mediation process, administrative proceeding, and any appeals, to be paid by the party against whom the administrative law judge rules.
(c)1. A charter may be renewed provided that a program review demonstrates that the criteria in paragraph (a) have been successfully accomplished and that none of the grounds for nonrenewal established by paragraph (8)(a) have been expressly found. The charter of a charter school that meets these requirements and has received a school grade lower than a “B” pursuant to s. 1008.34 in the most recently graded school year must be renewed for no less than a 5-year term except as provided in paragraph (9)(n). In order to facilitate long-term financing for charter school construction, charter schools operating for a minimum of 3 years and demonstrating exemplary academic programming and fiscal management are eligible for a 15-year charter renewal. Such long-term charter is subject to annual review and may be terminated during the term of the charter.
2. The 15-year charter renewal that may be granted pursuant to subparagraph 1. must be granted to a charter school that has received a school grade of “A” or “B” pursuant to s. 1008.34 in the most recently graded school year and that is not in a state of financial emergency or deficit position as defined by this section. Such long-term charter is subject to annual review and may be terminated during the term of the charter pursuant to subsection (8).
(d) A charter may be modified during its term upon the recommendation of the sponsor or the charter school’s governing board and the approval of both parties to the agreement. Changes to curriculum which are consistent with state standards shall be deemed approved unless the sponsor and the Department of Education determine in writing that the curriculum is inconsistent with state standards. Modification during any term may include, but is not limited to, consolidation of multiple charters into a single charter if the charters are operated under the same governing board, regardless of the renewal cycle. A charter school that is not subject to a school improvement plan and that closes as part of a consolidation shall be reported by the sponsor as a consolidation. A request for consolidation of multiple charters must be approved or denied within 60 days after the submission of the request. If the request is denied, the sponsor shall notify the charter school’s governing board of the denial and provide the specific reasons, in reasonable detail, for the denial of the request for consolidation within 10 days.
(e) A charter may be terminated by a charter school’s governing board through voluntary closure. The decision to cease operations must be determined at a public meeting. The governing board shall notify the parents and sponsor of the public meeting in writing before the public meeting. The governing board must notify the sponsor, parents of enrolled students, and the department in writing within 24 hours after the public meeting of its determination. The notice shall state the charter school’s intent to continue operations or the reason for the closure and acknowledge that the governing board agrees to follow the procedures for dissolution and reversion of public funds pursuant to paragraphs (8)(d)-(f) and (9)(o).
(f) A charter may include a provision requiring the charter school to be held responsible for all costs associated with, but not limited to, mediation, damages, and attorney fees incurred by the district in connection with complaints to the Office of Civil Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(8) CAUSES FOR NONRENEWAL OR TERMINATION OF CHARTER.—
(a) The sponsor shall make student academic achievement for all students the most important factor when determining whether to renew or terminate the charter. The sponsor may choose not to renew or may terminate the charter only if the sponsor expressly finds that one of the grounds set forth below exists by clear and convincing evidence:
1. Failure to participate in the state’s education accountability system created in s. 1008.31, as required in this section, or failure to meet the requirements for student performance stated in the charter.
2. Failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management due to deteriorating financial conditions or financial emergencies determined pursuant to s. 1002.345.
3. Material violation of law.
(b) Before a vote on any proposed action to renew; terminate, other than an immediate termination under paragraph (c); or not renew the charter and at least 90 days before the end of the school year, the sponsor shall notify the governing board of the school in writing of the proposed action to renew, terminate, or not renew the charter. A charter automatically renews with the same terms and conditions if notification does not occur at least 90 days before the end of the school year. The notice shall state in reasonable detail the grounds for the proposed action and stipulate that the school’s governing board may, within 14 calendar days after receiving the notice, request a hearing. The hearing shall be conducted by an administrative law judge assigned by the Division of Administrative Hearings. The hearing shall be conducted within 90 days after receipt of the request for a hearing and in accordance with chapter 120. The administrative law judge’s final order shall be submitted to the sponsor. The administrative law judge shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred during the administrative proceeding and any appeals. The charter school’s governing board may, within 30 calendar days after receiving the final order, appeal the decision pursuant to s. 120.68.
(c) A charter may be terminated immediately if the sponsor sets forth in writing the particular facts and circumstances demonstrating that an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the charter school’s students exists; that the immediate and serious danger is likely to continue; and that an immediate termination of the charter is necessary. The sponsor’s determination is subject to the procedures set forth in paragraph (b), except that the hearing may take place after the charter has been terminated. The sponsor shall notify in writing the charter school’s governing board, the charter school principal, and the department of the facts and circumstances supporting the immediate termination. The sponsor shall clearly identify the specific issues that resulted in the immediate termination and provide evidence of prior notification of issues resulting in the immediate termination, if applicable. Upon receiving written notice from the sponsor, the charter school’s governing board has 10 calendar days to request a hearing. A requested hearing must be expedited and the final order must be issued within 60 days after the date of request. The administrative law judge shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party of any injunction, administrative proceeding, or appeal. The sponsor may seek an injunction in the circuit court in which the charter school is located to enjoin continued operation of the charter school if continued operation would materially threaten the health, safety, or welfare of the students.
(d) When a charter is not renewed or is terminated, the school shall be dissolved under the provisions of law under which the school was organized, and any unencumbered public funds, except for capital outlay funds and federal charter school program grant funds, from the charter school shall revert to the sponsor. Capital outlay funds provided pursuant to s. 1013.62 and federal charter school program grant funds that are unencumbered shall revert to the department to be redistributed among eligible charter schools. In the event a charter school is dissolved or is otherwise terminated, all sponsor property and improvements, furnishings, and equipment purchased with public funds shall automatically revert to full ownership by the sponsor, subject to complete satisfaction of any lawful liens or encumbrances. Any unencumbered public funds from the charter school, property and improvements, furnishings, and equipment purchased with public funds, or financial or other records pertaining to the charter school, in the possession of any person, entity, or holding company, other than the charter school, shall be held in trust upon the sponsor’s request, until any appeal status is resolved.
(e) If a charter is not renewed or is terminated, the charter school is responsible for all debts of the charter school. The sponsor may not assume the debt from any contract made between the governing body of the school and a third party, except for a debt that is previously detailed and agreed upon in writing by both the sponsor and the governing body of the school and that may not reasonably be assumed to have been satisfied by the sponsor.
(f) If a charter is not renewed or is terminated, a student who attended the school may apply to, and shall be enrolled in, another public school. Normal application deadlines shall be disregarded under such circumstances.
(9) CHARTER SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) A charter school shall be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and operations.
(b) A charter school shall admit students as provided in subsection (10).
(c) A charter school shall be accountable to its sponsor for performance as provided in subsection (7).
(d) A charter school shall not charge tuition or registration fees, except those fees normally charged by other public schools. However, a charter lab school may charge a student activity and service fee as authorized by s. 1002.32(5).
(e) A charter school shall meet all applicable state and local health, safety, and civil rights requirements.
(f) A charter school shall not violate the antidiscrimination provisions of s. 1000.05.
(g)1. In order to provide financial information that is comparable to that reported for other public schools, charter schools are to maintain all financial records that constitute their accounting system:
a. In accordance with the accounts and codes prescribed in the most recent issuance of the publication titled “Financial and Program Cost Accounting and Reporting for Florida Schools”; or
b. At the discretion of the charter school’s governing board, a charter school may elect to follow generally accepted accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations, but must reformat this information for reporting according to this paragraph.
2. Charter schools shall provide annual financial report and program cost report information in the state-required formats for inclusion in sponsor reporting in compliance with s. 1011.60(1). Charter schools that are operated by a municipality or are a component unit of a parent nonprofit organization may use the accounting system of the municipality or the parent but must reformat this information for reporting according to this paragraph.
3. A charter school shall, upon approval of the charter contract, provide the sponsor with a concise, uniform, monthly financial statement summary sheet that contains a balance sheet and a statement of revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance. The balance sheet and the statement of revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance shall be in the governmental funds format prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. A high-performing charter school pursuant to s. 1002.331 may provide a quarterly financial statement in the same format and requirements as the uniform monthly financial statement summary sheet. The sponsor shall review each monthly or quarterly financial statement to identify the existence of any conditions identified in s. 1002.345(1)(a).
4. A charter school shall maintain and provide financial information as required in this paragraph. The financial statement required in subparagraph 3. must be in a form prescribed by the Department of Education.
(h) The governing board of the charter school shall annually adopt and maintain an operating budget.
(i) The governing body of the charter school shall exercise continuing oversight over charter school operations.
(j) The governing body of the charter school shall be responsible for:
1. Establishing and maintaining internal controls designed to:
a. Prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse as defined in s. 11.45(1).
b. Promote and encourage compliance with applicable laws, rules, contracts, grant agreements, and best practices.
c. Support economical and efficient operations.
d. Ensure reliability of financial records and reports.
e. Safeguard assets.
2. Ensuring that the charter school has retained the services of a certified public accountant or auditor for the annual financial audit, pursuant to s. 1002.345(2), who shall submit the report to the governing body.
3. Reviewing and approving the audit report, including audit findings and recommendations for the financial recovery plan.
4.a. Performing the duties in s. 1002.345, including monitoring a corrective action plan.
b. Monitoring a financial recovery plan in order to ensure compliance.
5. Participating in governance training approved by the department which must include government in the sunshine, conflicts of interest, ethics, and financial responsibility.
(k) The governing body of the charter school shall report its progress annually to its sponsor, which shall forward the report to the Commissioner of Education at the same time as other annual school accountability reports. The Department of Education shall develop a uniform, online annual accountability report to be completed by charter schools. This report shall be easy to utilize and contain demographic information, student performance data, and financial accountability information. A charter school shall not be required to provide information and data that is duplicative and already in the possession of the department. The Department of Education shall include in its compilation a notation if a school failed to file its report by the deadline established by the department. The report shall include at least the following components:
1. Student achievement performance data, including the information required for the annual school report and the education accountability system governed by ss. 1008.31 and 1008.345. Charter schools are subject to the same accountability requirements as other public schools, including reports of student achievement information that links baseline student data to the school’s performance projections identified in the charter. The charter school shall identify reasons for any difference between projected and actual student performance.
2. Financial status of the charter school which must include revenues and expenditures at a level of detail that allows for analysis of the charter school’s ability to meet financial obligations and timely repayment of debt.
3. Documentation of the facilities in current use and any planned facilities for use by the charter school for instruction of students, administrative functions, or investment purposes.
4. Descriptive information about the charter school’s personnel, including salary and benefit levels of charter school employees, the proportion of instructional personnel who hold professional or temporary certificates, and the proportion of instructional personnel teaching in-field or out-of-field.
(l) A charter school shall not levy taxes or issue bonds secured by tax revenues.
(m) A charter school shall provide instruction for at least the number of days required by law for other public schools and may provide instruction for additional days.
(n)1. The director and a representative of the governing board of a charter school that has earned a grade of “D” or “F” pursuant to s. 1008.34 shall appear before the sponsor to present information concerning each contract component having noted deficiencies. The director and a representative of the governing board shall submit to the sponsor for approval a school improvement plan to raise student performance. Upon approval by the sponsor, the charter school shall begin implementation of the school improvement plan. The department shall offer technical assistance and training to the charter school and its governing board and establish guidelines for developing, submitting, and approving such plans.
2.a. If a charter school earns three consecutive grades below a “C,” the charter school governing board shall choose one of the following corrective actions:
(I) Contract for educational services to be provided directly to students, instructional personnel, and school administrators, as prescribed in state board rule;
(II) Contract with an outside entity that has a demonstrated record of effectiveness to operate the school;
(III) Reorganize the school under a new director or principal who is authorized to hire new staff; or
(IV) Voluntarily close the charter school.
b. The charter school must implement the corrective action in the school year following receipt of a third consecutive grade below a “C.”
c. The sponsor may annually waive a corrective action if it determines that the charter school is likely to improve a letter grade if additional time is provided to implement the intervention and support strategies prescribed by the school improvement plan. Notwithstanding this sub-subparagraph, a charter school that earns a second consecutive grade of “F” is subject to subparagraph 3.
d. A charter school is no longer required to implement a corrective action if it improves to a “C” or higher. However, the charter school must continue to implement strategies identified in the school improvement plan. The sponsor must annually review implementation of the school improvement plan to monitor the school’s continued improvement pursuant to subparagraph 4.
e. A charter school implementing a corrective action that does not improve to a “C” or higher after 2 full school years of implementing the corrective action must select a different corrective action. Implementation of the new corrective action must begin in the school year following the implementation period of the existing corrective action, unless the sponsor determines that the charter school is likely to improve to a “C” or higher if additional time is provided to implement the existing corrective action. Notwithstanding this sub-subparagraph, a charter school that earns a second consecutive grade of “F” while implementing a corrective action is subject to subparagraph 3.
3. A charter school’s charter contract is automatically terminated if the school earns two consecutive grades of “F” after all school grade appeals are final unless:
a. The charter school is established to turn around the performance of a district public school pursuant to s. 1008.33(4)(b)2. Such charter schools shall be governed by s. 1008.33;
b. The charter school serves a student population the majority of which resides in a school zone served by a district public school subject to s. 1008.33(4) and the charter school earns at least a grade of “D” in its third year of operation. The exception provided under this sub-subparagraph does not apply to a charter school in its fourth year of operation and thereafter; or
c. The state board grants the charter school a waiver of termination. The charter school must request the waiver within 15 days after the department’s official release of school grades. The state board may waive termination if the charter school demonstrates that the Learning Gains of its students on statewide assessments are comparable to or better than the Learning Gains of similarly situated students enrolled in nearby public schools. The waiver is valid for 1 year and may only be granted once. Charter schools that have been in operation for more than 5 years are not eligible for a waiver under this sub-subparagraph.
The sponsor shall notify the charter school’s governing board, the charter school principal, and the department in writing when a charter contract is terminated under this subparagraph. A charter terminated under this subparagraph must follow the procedures for dissolution and reversion of public funds pursuant to paragraphs (8)(d)-(f) and (9)(o).
4. The director and a representative of the governing board of a graded charter school that has implemented a school improvement plan under this paragraph shall appear before the sponsor at least once a year to present information regarding the progress of intervention and support strategies implemented by the school pursuant to the school improvement plan and corrective actions, if applicable. The sponsor shall communicate at the meeting, and in writing to the director, the services provided to the school to help the school address its deficiencies.
5. Notwithstanding any provision of this paragraph except sub-subparagraphs 3.a.-c., the sponsor may terminate the charter at any time pursuant to subsection (8).
(o)1. Upon initial notification of nonrenewal, closure, or termination of its charter, a charter school may not expend more than $10,000 per expenditure without prior written approval from the sponsor unless such expenditure was included within the annual budget submitted to the sponsor pursuant to the charter contract, is for reasonable attorney fees and costs during the pendency of any appeal, or is for reasonable fees and costs to conduct an independent audit.
2. An independent audit shall be completed within 30 days after notice of nonrenewal, closure, or termination to account for all public funds and assets.
3. A provision in a charter contract that contains an acceleration clause requiring the expenditure of funds based upon closure or upon notification of nonrenewal or termination is void and unenforceable.
4. A charter school may not enter into a contract with an employee that exceeds the term of the school’s charter contract with its sponsor.
5. A violation of this paragraph triggers a reversion or clawback power by the sponsor allowing for collection of an amount equal to or less than the accelerated amount that exceeds normal expenditures. The reversion or clawback plus legal fees and costs shall be levied against the person or entity receiving the accelerated amount.
(p)1. Each charter school shall maintain a website that enables the public to obtain information regarding the school; the school’s academic performance; the names of the governing board members; the programs at the school; any management companies, service providers, or education management corporations associated with the school; the school’s annual budget and its annual independent fiscal audit; the school’s grade pursuant to s. 1008.34; and, on a quarterly basis, the minutes of governing board meetings.
2. Each charter school’s governing board must appoint a representative to facilitate parental involvement, provide access to information, assist parents and others with questions and concerns, and resolve disputes. The representative must reside in the school district in which the charter school is located and may be a governing board member, a charter school employee, or an individual contracted to represent the governing board. If the governing board oversees multiple charter schools in the same school district, the governing board must appoint a separate representative for each charter school in the district. The representative’s contact information must be provided annually in writing to parents and posted prominently on the charter school’s website. The sponsor may not require governing board members to reside in the school district in which the charter school is located if the charter school complies with this subparagraph.
3. Each charter school’s governing board must hold at least two public meetings per school year in the school district where the charter school is located. The meetings must be noticed, open, and accessible to the public, and attendees must be provided an opportunity to receive information and provide input regarding the charter school’s operations. The appointed representative and charter school principal or director, or his or her designee, must be physically present at each meeting. Members of the governing board or any member of a committee formed or designated by the governing board may attend in person or by means of communications media technology used in accordance with rules adopted by the Administration Commission under s. 120.54(5).
(q)1. The charter school principal or the principal’s designee shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent of a student before the student is removed from school, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity to be taken to a receiving facility for an involuntary examination pursuant to s. 394.463. For purposes of this subparagraph, “a reasonable attempt to notify” means the exercise of reasonable diligence and care by the principal or the principal’s designee to make contact with the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact whom the student’s parent or guardian has authorized to receive notification of an involuntary examination. At a minimum, the principal or the principal’s designee must take the following actions:
a. Use available methods of communication to contact the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact, including, but not limited to, telephone calls, text messages, e-mails, and voice mail messages following the decision to initiate an involuntary examination of the student.
b. Document the method and number of attempts made to contact the student’s parent, guardian, or other known emergency contact, and the outcome of each attempt.
A principal or his or her designee who successfully notifies any other known emergency contact may share only the information necessary to alert such contact that the parent or caregiver must be contacted. All such information must be in compliance with federal and state law.
2. The principal or the principal’s designee may delay notification for no more than 24 hours after the student is removed if:
a. The principal or the principal’s designee deems the delay to be in the student’s best interest and a report has been submitted to the central abuse hotline, pursuant to s. 39.201, based upon knowledge or suspicion of abuse, abandonment, or neglect; or
b. The principal or the principal’s designee reasonably believes that such delay is necessary to avoid jeopardizing the health and safety of the student.
3. Before a principal or his or her designee contacts a law enforcement officer, he or she must verify that de-escalation strategies have been utilized and outreach to a mobile response team has been initiated unless the principal or the principal’s designee reasonably believes that any delay in removing the student will increase the likelihood of harm to the student or others. This requirement does not supersede the authority of a law enforcement officer to act under s. 394.463.
Each charter school governing board shall develop a policy and procedures for notification under this paragraph.
(r)1. Parents of charter school students have a right to timely notification of threats, unlawful acts, and significant emergencies pursuant to s. 1006.07(4) and (7).
2. Parents of charter school students have a right to access school safety and discipline incidents as reported pursuant to s. 1006.07(9).
(10) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—
(a)1. A charter school may be exempt from the requirements of s. 1002.31 if the school is open to any student covered in an interdistrict agreement and any student residing in the school district in which the charter school is located.
2. A virtual charter school when enrolling students shall comply with the applicable requirements of s. 1002.31 and with the enrollment requirements established under s. 1002.45(1)(d)4.
3. A charter lab school shall be open to any student eligible to attend the lab school as provided in s. 1002.32 or who resides in the school district in which the charter lab school is located.
4. Any eligible student shall be allowed interdistrict transfer to attend a charter school when based on good cause. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to, geographic proximity to a charter school in a neighboring school district.
(b) The charter school shall enroll an eligible student who submits a timely application, unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. In such case, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process.
(c) When a public school converts to charter status, enrollment preference shall be given to students who would have otherwise attended that public school. The district school board shall consult and negotiate with the conversion charter school every 3 years to determine whether realignment of the conversion charter school’s attendance zone is appropriate in order to ensure that students residing closest to the charter school are provided with an enrollment preference.
(d) A charter school may give enrollment preference to the following student populations:
1. Students who are siblings of a student enrolled in the charter school.
2. Students who are the children of a member of the governing board of the charter school.
3. Students who are the children of an employee of the charter school.
4. Students who are the children of:
a. An employee of the business partner of a charter school-in-the-workplace established under paragraph (15)(b) or a resident of the municipality in which such charter school is located; or
b. A resident or employee of a municipality that operates a charter school-in-a-municipality pursuant to paragraph (15)(c) or allows a charter school to use a school facility or portion of land provided by the municipality for the operation of the charter school.
5. Students who have successfully completed, during the previous year, a voluntary prekindergarten education program under ss. 1002.51-1002.79 provided by the charter school, the charter school’s governing board, or a voluntary prekindergarten provider that has a written agreement with the governing board.
6. Students who are the children of an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
7. Students who attended or are assigned to failing schools pursuant to s. 1002.38(2).
8. Students who are the children of a safe-school officer, as defined in s. 1006.12, at the school.
9. Students who transfer from a classical school in this state to a charter classical school in this state. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “classical school” means a traditional public school or charter school that implements a classical education model that emphasizes the development of students in the principles of moral character and civic virtue through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences which is based on the classical trivium stages of grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
(e) A charter school may limit the enrollment process only to target the following student populations:
1. Students within specific age groups or grade levels.
2. Students considered at risk of dropping out of school or academic failure. Such students shall include exceptional education students.
3. Students enrolling in a charter school-in-the-workplace or charter school-in-a-municipality established pursuant to subsection (15).
4. Students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school, as described in paragraph (20)(c). Such students shall be subject to a random lottery and to the racial/ethnic balance provisions described in subparagraph (7)(a)8. or any federal provisions that require a school to achieve a racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or within the racial/ethnic range of other nearby public schools.
5. Students who meet reasonable academic, artistic, or other eligibility standards established by the charter school and included in the charter school application and charter or, in the case of existing charter schools, standards that are consistent with the school’s mission and purpose. Such standards shall be in accordance with current state law and practice in public schools and may not discriminate against otherwise qualified individuals. A school that limits enrollment for such purposes must place a student on a progress monitoring plan for at least one semester before dismissing such student from the school.
6. Students articulating from one charter school to another pursuant to an articulation agreement between the charter schools that has been approved by the sponsor.
7. Students living in a development, or students whose parent or legal guardian maintains a physical or permanent employment presence within the development, in which a developer, including any affiliated business entity or charitable foundation, contributes to the formation, acquisition, construction, or operation of one or more charter schools or charter school facilities and related property in an amount equal to or having a total appraised value of at least $5 million to be used as charter schools to mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units. Students living in the development are entitled to 50 percent of the student stations in the charter schools. The students who are eligible for enrollment are subject to a random lottery, the racial/ethnic balance provisions, or any federal provisions, as described in subparagraph 4. The remainder of the student stations must be filled in accordance with subparagraph 4.
8. Students whose parent or legal guardian is employed within a reasonable distance of the charter school, as described in paragraph (20)(c). The students who are eligible for enrollment are subject to a random lottery.
(f) Students with disabilities and students served in English for Speakers of Other Languages programs shall have an equal opportunity of being selected for enrollment in a charter school.
(g) A student may withdraw from a charter school at any time and enroll in another public school as determined by district school board rule.
(h) The capacity of the charter school shall be determined annually by the governing board, in conjunction with the sponsor, of the charter school in consideration of the factors identified in this subsection unless the charter school is designated as a high-performing charter school pursuant to s. 1002.331. A sponsor may not require a charter school to waive the provisions of s. 1002.331 or require a student enrollment cap that prohibits a high-performing charter school from increasing enrollment in accordance with s. 1002.331(2) as a condition of approval or renewal of a charter.
(i) The capacity of a high-performing charter school identified pursuant to s. 1002.331 shall be determined annually by the governing board of the charter school. The governing board shall notify the sponsor of any increase in enrollment by March 1 of the school year preceding the increase. A sponsor may not require a charter school to identify the names of students to be enrolled or to enroll those students before the start of the school year as a condition of approval or renewal of a charter.
(11) PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.—A charter school student is eligible to participate in an interscholastic extracurricular activity at the public school to which the student would be otherwise assigned to attend, or may develop an agreement to participate at a private school, pursuant to s. 1006.15(3)(d).
(12) EMPLOYEES OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.—
(a) A charter school shall select its own employees. A charter school may contract with its sponsor for the services of personnel employed by the sponsor.
(b) Charter school employees shall have the option to bargain collectively. Employees may collectively bargain as a separate unit or as part of the existing district collective bargaining unit as determined by the structure of the charter school.
(c) The employees of a conversion charter school shall remain public employees for all purposes, unless such employees choose not to do so.
(d) The teachers at a charter school may choose to be part of a professional group that subcontracts with the charter school to operate the instructional program under the auspices of a partnership or cooperative that they collectively own. Under this arrangement, the teachers would not be public employees.
(e) Employees of a school district may take leave to accept employment in a charter school upon the approval of the district school board. While employed by the charter school and on leave that is approved by the district school board, the employee may retain seniority accrued in that school district and may continue to be covered by the benefit programs of that school district, if the charter school and the district school board agree to this arrangement and its financing. School districts shall not require resignations of teachers desiring to teach in a charter school. This paragraph shall not prohibit a district school board from approving alternative leave arrangements consistent with chapter 1012.
(f) Teachers employed by or under contract to a charter school shall be certified as required by chapter 1012. A charter school governing board may employ or contract with skilled selected noncertified personnel to provide instructional services or to assist instructional staff members as education paraprofessionals in the same manner as defined in chapter 1012, and as provided by State Board of Education rule for charter school governing boards. A charter school may not knowingly employ an individual to provide instructional services or to serve as an education paraprofessional if the individual’s certification or licensure as an educator is suspended or revoked by this or any other state. A charter school may not knowingly employ an individual who has resigned from a school district in lieu of disciplinary action with respect to child welfare or safety, or who has been dismissed for just cause by any school district with respect to child welfare or safety. The qualifications of teachers shall be disclosed to parents.
(g)1. A charter school shall employ or contract with employees who have undergone background screening as provided in s. 1012.32. Members of the governing board of the charter school shall also undergo background screening in a manner similar to that provided in s. 1012.32. An individual may not be employed as an employee or contract personnel of a charter school or serve as a member of a charter school governing board if the individual is on the disqualification list maintained by the department pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b).
2. A charter school shall prohibit educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, from employment in any position that requires direct contact with students if the employees, personnel, or administrators are ineligible for such employment under s. 1012.315 or have been terminated or have resigned in lieu of termination for sexual misconduct with a student. If the prohibited conduct occurs while employed, a charter school must report the individual and the disqualifying circumstances to the department for inclusion on the disqualification list maintained pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b).
3. The governing board of a charter school shall adopt policies establishing standards of ethical conduct for educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators. The policies must require all educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, to complete training on the standards; establish the duty of educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators to report, and procedures for reporting, alleged misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student; and include an explanation of the liability protections provided under ss. 39.203 and 768.095. A charter school, or any of its employees, may not enter into a confidentiality agreement regarding terminated or dismissed educational support employees, instructional personnel, or school administrators, or employees, personnel, or administrators who resign in lieu of termination, based in whole or in part on misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student, and may not provide employees, personnel, or administrators with employment references or discuss the employees’, personnel’s, or administrators’ performance with prospective employers in another educational setting, without disclosing the employees’, personnel’s, or administrators’ misconduct. Any part of an agreement or contract that has the purpose or effect of concealing misconduct by educational support employees, instructional personnel, or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student is void, is contrary to public policy, and may not be enforced.
4. Before employing an individual in any position that requires direct contact with students, a charter school shall conduct employment history checks of each individual through use of the educator screening tools described in s. 1001.10(5), and document the findings. If unable to contact a previous employer, the charter school must document efforts to contact the employer.
5. The sponsor of a charter school that knowingly fails to comply with this paragraph shall terminate the charter under subsection (8).
(h) For the purposes of tort liability, the charter school, including its governing body and employees, shall be governed by s. 768.28. This paragraph does not include any for-profit entity contracted by the charter school or its governing body.
(i) A charter school shall organize as, or be operated by, a nonprofit organization. A charter school may be operated by a municipality or other public entity as provided for by law. As such, the charter school may be either a private or a public employer. As a public employer, a charter school may participate in the Florida Retirement System upon application and approval as a “covered group” under s. 121.021(34). If a charter school participates in the Florida Retirement System, the charter school employees shall be compulsory members of the Florida Retirement System. As either a private or a public employer, a charter school may contract for services with an individual or group of individuals who are organized as a partnership or a cooperative. Individuals or groups of individuals who contract their services to the charter school are not public employees.
(13) CHARTER SCHOOL COOPERATIVES.—Charter schools may enter into cooperative agreements to form charter school cooperative organizations that may provide services to further educational, operational, and administrative initiatives in which the participating charter schools share common interests.
(14) CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS; INDEMNIFICATION OF THE STATE AND SPONSOR; CREDIT OR TAXING POWER NOT TO BE PLEDGED.—Any arrangement entered into to borrow or otherwise secure funds for a charter school authorized in this section from a source other than the state or a sponsor shall indemnify the state and the sponsor from any and all liability, including, but not limited to, financial responsibility for the payment of the principal or interest. Any loans, bonds, or other financial agreements are not obligations of the state or the sponsor but are obligations of the charter school authority and are payable solely from the sources of funds pledged by such agreement. The credit or taxing power of the state or the sponsor shall not be pledged and no debts shall be payable out of any moneys except those of the legal entity in possession of a valid charter approved by a sponsor pursuant to this section.
(15) CHARTER SCHOOLS-IN-THE-WORKPLACE; CHARTER SCHOOLS-IN-A-MUNICIPALITY.—
(a) In order to increase business partnerships in education, to reduce school and classroom overcrowding throughout the state, and to offset the high costs for educational facilities construction, the Legislature intends to encourage the formation of business partnership schools or satellite learning centers and municipal-operated schools through charter school status.
(b) A charter school-in-the-workplace may be established when a business partner provides the school facility to be used; enrolls students based upon a random lottery that involves all of the children of employees of that business or corporation who are seeking enrollment, as provided for in subsection (10); and enrolls students according to the racial/ethnic balance provisions described in subparagraph (7)(a)8. Any portion of a facility used for a public charter school shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes, as provided for in s. 1013.54, for the duration of its use as a public school.
(c) A charter school-in-a-municipality designation may be granted to a municipality that possesses a charter; enrolls students based upon a random lottery that involves all of the children of the residents of that municipality who are seeking enrollment, as provided for in subsection (10); and enrolls students according to the racial/ethnic balance provisions described in subparagraph (7)(a)8. When a municipality has submitted charter applications for the establishment of a charter school feeder pattern, consisting of elementary, middle, and senior high schools, and each individual charter application is approved by the sponsor, such schools shall then be designated as one charter school for all purposes listed pursuant to this section. Any portion of the land and facility used for a public charter school shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes, as provided for in s. 1013.54, for the duration of its use as a public school.
(d) As used in this subsection, the terms “business partner” or “municipality” may include more than one business or municipality to form a charter school-in-the-workplace or charter school-in-a-municipality.
(16) EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES.—
(a) A charter school shall operate in accordance with its charter and shall be exempt from all statutes in chapters 1000-1013. However, a charter school shall be in compliance with the following statutes in chapters 1000-1013:
1. Those statutes specifically applying to charter schools, including this section.
2. Those statutes pertaining to the student assessment program and school grading system.
3. Those statutes pertaining to the provision of services to students with disabilities.
4. Those statutes pertaining to civil rights, including s. 1000.05, relating to discrimination.
5. Those statutes pertaining to student health, safety, and welfare.
(b) Additionally, a charter school shall be in compliance with the following statutes:
1. Section 286.011, relating to public meetings and records, public inspection, and criminal and civil penalties.
2. Chapter 119, relating to public records.
3. Section 1003.03, relating to the maximum class size, except that the calculation for compliance pursuant to s. 1003.03 shall be the average at the school level.
4. Section 1012.22(1)(c), relating to compensation and salary schedules.
5. Section 1012.33(5), relating to workforce reductions.
6. Section 1012.335, relating to contracts with instructional personnel hired on or after July 1, 2011.
7. Section 1012.34, relating to the substantive requirements for performance evaluations for instructional personnel and school administrators.
8. Section 1006.12, relating to safe-school officers.
9. Section 1006.07(7), relating to threat management teams.
10. Section 1006.07(9), relating to School Environmental Safety Incident Reporting.
11. Section 1006.07(10), relating to reporting of involuntary examinations.
12. Section 1006.1493, relating to the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool.
13. Section 1006.07(6)(d), relating to adopting an active assailant response plan.
14. Section 943.082(4)(b), relating to the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool.
15. Section 1012.584, relating to youth mental health awareness and assistance training.
16. Section 1001.42(4)(f)2., relating to middle school and high school start times. A charter school-in-the-workplace is exempt from this requirement.
(c) For purposes of subparagraphs (b)4.-7.:
1. The duties assigned to a district school superintendent apply to charter school administrative personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(3)(a) and (b), and the charter school governing board shall designate at least one administrative person to be responsible for such duties.
2. The duties assigned to a district school board apply to a charter school governing board.
3. A charter school may hire instructional personnel and other employees on an at-will basis.
4. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, instructional personnel and other employees on contract may be suspended or dismissed any time during the term of the contract without cause.
(17) FUNDING.—Students enrolled in a charter school, regardless of the sponsorship, shall be funded based upon the applicable program pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c), the same as students enrolled in other public schools in a school district. Funding for a charter lab school shall be as provided in s. 1002.32.
(a) Each charter school shall report its full-time equivalent student membership to the sponsor as required in s. 1011.62(1)(a) and in accordance with the definitions in s. 1011.61. The sponsor shall include each charter school’s full-time equivalent student membership in the sponsor’s full-time equivalent student membership report to the Department of Education. All charter schools submitting full-time equivalent student membership information required by the department shall comply with the department’s guidelines for electronic data formats for such data, and all sponsors shall accept electronic data that complies with the department’s electronic format.
(b)1. Funding 1for students enrolled in a charter school sponsored by a school district shall be the sum of the school district’s operating funds from the Florida Education Finance Program as defined in s. 1011.61(5) and the General Appropriations Act, including gross state and local funds, and funds from the school district’s current operating discretionary millage levy; divided by total funded weighted full-time equivalent students in the school district; and multiplied by the weighted full-time equivalent students for the charter school. Charter schools whose students or programs meet the eligibility criteria in law are entitled to their proportionate share of categorical program funds included in the total funds available in the Florida Education Finance Program by the Legislature, including the student transportation allocation and the educational enrichment allocation. Total funding for each charter school shall be recalculated during the year to reflect the revised calculations under the Florida Education Finance Program by the state and the actual weighted full-time equivalent students reported by the charter school during the full-time equivalent student survey periods designated by the Commissioner of Education. For charter schools operated by a not-for-profit or municipal entity, any unrestricted current and capital assets identified in the charter school’s annual financial audit may be used for other charter schools operated by the not-for-profit or municipal entity within the school district. For charter schools operated by a not-for-profit entity, any unrestricted current or capital assets identified in the charter school’s annual audit may be used for other charter schools operated by the not-for-profit entity which are located outside of the originating charter school’s school district, but within the state, through an unforgivable loan that must be repaid within 5 years to the originating charter school by the receiving charter school. Unrestricted current assets shall be used in accordance with s. 1011.62, and any unrestricted capital assets shall be used in accordance with s. 1013.62(2).
2.a. Funding for students enrolled in a charter school sponsored by a state university or Florida College System institution pursuant to paragraph (5)(a) shall be provided in the Florida Education Finance Program as defined in s. 1011.61(5) and as specified in the General Appropriations Act. The calculation to determine the amount of state funds includes the sum of the basic amount for current operations established in s. 1011.62(1)(s), the discretionary millage compression supplement established in s. 1011.62(5), and the state-funded discretionary contribution established in s. 1011.62(6). Charter schools whose students or programs meet the eligibility criteria in law are entitled to their proportionate share of categorical program funds included in the total funds available in the Florida Education Finance Program. The Florida College System institution or state university sponsoring the charter school shall be the fiscal agent for these funds, and all rules of the institution governing the budgeting and expenditure of state funds shall apply to these funds unless otherwise provided by law or rule of the State Board of Education.
(I) The nonvoted required local millage established pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) that would otherwise be required for the charter schools shall be allocated from state funds.
(II) An equivalent amount of funds for the operating discretionary millage authorized pursuant to s. 1011.71(1) shall be allocated to each charter school through a state-funded discretionary contribution established pursuant to s. 1011.62(6).
(III) The comparable wage factor as provided in s. 1011.62(2) shall be established as 1.000.
b. Total funding for each charter school shall be recalculated during the year to reflect the revised calculations under the Florida Education Finance Program by the state and the actual weighted full-time equivalent students reported by the charter school during the full-time equivalent student survey periods designated by the Commissioner of Education.
c. The Department of Education shall develop a tool that each state university or Florida College System institution sponsoring a charter school shall use for purposes of calculating the funding amount for each eligible charter school student. The total amount obtained from the calculation must be appropriated from state funds in the General Appropriations Act to the charter school.
d. Capital outlay funding for a charter school sponsored by a state university or Florida College System institution pursuant to paragraph (5)(a) is determined as follows: multiply the maximum allowable nonvoted discretionary millage under s. 1011.71(2) by 96 percent of the current year’s taxable value for school purposes for the district in which the charter school is located; divide the result by the total full-time equivalent student membership; and multiply the result by the full-time equivalent student membership of the charter school. The amount obtained shall be the discretionary capital improvement funds and shall be appropriated from state funds in the General Appropriations Act.
(c) Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 8061 s. 10306, all charter schools shall receive all federal funding for which the school is otherwise eligible, including Title I funding, not later than 5 months after the charter school first opens and within 5 months after any subsequent expansion of enrollment. Unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the charter school and its sponsor, and consistent with state and federal rules and regulations governing the use and disbursement of federal funds, the sponsor shall reimburse the charter school on a monthly basis for all invoices submitted by the charter school for federal funds available to the sponsor for the benefit of the charter school, the charter school’s students, and the charter school’s students as public school students in the school district. Such federal funds include, but are not limited to, Title I, Title II, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds. To receive timely reimbursement for an invoice, the charter school must submit the invoice to the sponsor at least 30 days before the monthly date of reimbursement set by the sponsor. In order to be reimbursed, any expenditures made by the charter school must comply with all applicable state rules and federal regulations, including, but not limited to, the applicable federal Office of Management and Budget Circulars; the federal Education Department General Administrative Regulations; and program-specific statutes, rules, and regulations. Such funds may not be made available to the charter school until a plan is submitted to the sponsor for approval of the use of the funds in accordance with applicable federal requirements. The sponsor has 30 days to review and approve any plan submitted pursuant to this paragraph.
(d) Charter schools shall be included by the Department of Education and the district school board in requests for federal stimulus funds in the same manner as district school board-operated public schools, including Title I and IDEA funds and shall be entitled to receive such funds. Charter schools are eligible to participate in federal competitive grants that are available as part of the federal stimulus funds.
(e) Sponsors shall make timely and efficient payment and reimbursement to charter schools, including processing paperwork required to access special state and federal funding for which they may be eligible, including the timely review and reimbursement of federal grant funds. Payments of funds under paragraph (b) shall be made monthly or twice a month, beginning with the start of the sponsor’s fiscal year. Each payment shall be one-twelfth, or one twenty-fourth, as applicable, of the total state and local funds described in paragraph (b) and adjusted as set forth therein. For the first 2 years of a charter school’s operation, if a minimum of 75 percent of the projected enrollment is entered into the sponsor’s student information system by the first day of the current month, the sponsor shall distribute funds to the school for the months of July through October based on the projected full-time equivalent student membership of the charter school as submitted in the approved application. If less than 75 percent of the projected enrollment is entered into the sponsor’s student information system by the first day of the current month, the sponsor shall base payments on the actual number of student enrollment entered into the sponsor’s student information system. Thereafter, the results of full-time equivalent student membership surveys shall be used in adjusting the amount of funds distributed monthly to the charter school for the remainder of the fiscal year. The payments shall be issued no later than 10 working days after the sponsor receives a distribution of state or federal funds or the date the payment is due pursuant to this subsection. With respect to federal grant funds submitted for reimbursement, the sponsor shall have 60 calendar days from the date of the submission to reimburse the charter school if the submission provides all the necessary information to qualify for reimbursement. If a warrant for payment is not issued within 10 working days after receipt of funding by the sponsor or within 60 calendar days after an approved submittal for reimbursement of federal grant funds, the sponsor shall pay to the charter school, in addition to the amount of the scheduled disbursement, interest at a rate of 1 percent per month calculated on a daily basis on the unpaid balance from the expiration of the 10 working days or 60 calendar days for the reimbursement of federal grant funds, until such time as the warrant is issued. The district school board may not delay payment to a charter school of any portion of the funds provided in paragraph (b) based on the timing of receipt of local funds by the district school board.
(f) Funding for a virtual charter school shall be as provided in s. 1002.45(6).
(g) To be eligible for public education capital outlay (PECO) funds, a charter school must be located in the State of Florida.
(h) A charter school that implements a schoolwide standard student attire policy pursuant to s. 1011.78 is eligible to receive incentive payments.
(18) FACILITIES.—
(a) A startup charter school shall utilize facilities which comply with the Florida Building Code pursuant to chapter 553 except for the State Requirements for Educational Facilities. Conversion charter schools shall utilize facilities that comply with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities provided that the school district and the charter school have entered into a mutual management plan for the reasonable maintenance of such facilities. The mutual management plan shall contain a provision by which the district school board agrees to maintain charter school facilities in the same manner as its other public schools within the district. Charter schools, with the exception of conversion charter schools, are not required to comply, but may choose to comply, with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities of the Florida Building Code adopted pursuant to s. 1013.37. The local governing authority shall not adopt or impose any local building requirements or site-development restrictions, such as parking and site-size criteria, student enrollment, and occupant load, that are addressed by and more stringent than those found in the State Requirements for Educational Facilities of the Florida Building Code. A local governing authority must treat charter schools equitably in comparison to similar requirements, restrictions, and site planning processes imposed upon public schools that are not charter schools, including such provisions that are established by interlocal agreement. An interlocal agreement entered into by a school district for the development of only its own schools, including provisions relating to the extension of infrastructure, may be used by charter schools. A charter school may not be subject to any land use regulation requiring a change to a local government comprehensive plan or requiring a development order or development permit, as those terms are defined in s. 163.3164, that would not be required for a public school in the same location. The agency having jurisdiction for inspection of a facility and issuance of a certificate of occupancy or use shall be the local municipality or, if in an unincorporated area, the county governing authority. If an official or employee of the local governing authority refuses to comply with this paragraph, the aggrieved school or entity has an immediate right to bring an action in circuit court to enforce its rights by injunction. An aggrieved party that receives injunctive relief may be awarded attorney fees and court costs.
(b) A charter school shall use facilities that comply with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, pursuant to s. 633.208, as adopted by the authority in whose jurisdiction the facility is located as provided in paragraph (a).
(c) Any facility, or portion thereof, used to house a charter school whose charter has been approved by the sponsor and the governing board, pursuant to subsection (7), is exempt from ad valorem taxes pursuant to s. 196.1983. Any library, community service, museum, performing arts, theater, cinema, or church facility; any facility or land owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any similar public institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305 may provide space to charter schools within their facilities under their preexisting zoning and land use designations without obtaining a special exception, rezoning, or a land use change.
(d) Charter school facilities are exempt from assessments of fees for building permits, except as provided in s. 553.80; fees for building and occupational licenses; impact fees or exactions; service availability fees; and assessments for special benefits.
(e) If a district school board facility or property is available because it is surplus, marked for disposal, or otherwise unused, it shall be provided for a charter school’s use on the same basis as it is made available to other public schools in the district. A charter school receiving property from the sponsor may not sell or dispose of such property without written permission of the sponsor. Similarly, for an existing public school converting to charter status, no rental or leasing fee for the existing facility or for the property normally inventoried to the conversion school may be charged by the district school board to the parents and teachers organizing the charter school. The charter school shall agree to reasonable maintenance provisions in order to maintain the facility in a manner similar to district school board standards. The Public Education Capital Outlay maintenance funds or any other maintenance funds generated by the facility operated as a conversion school shall remain with the conversion school.
(f) To the extent that charter school facilities are specifically created to mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units, pursuant to subparagraph (2)(c)4., a proportionate share of costs per student station of educational impact fees required to be paid in connection with the new residential dwelling units must be designated for the construction of the charter school facilities that will mitigate the student station impact, including charter school facilities described in subparagraph (10)(e)7. Such facilities shall be built to the State Requirements for Educational Facilities and shall be owned by a public or nonprofit entity. The local school district retains the right to monitor and inspect such facilities to ensure compliance with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities. If a facility ceases to be used for public educational purposes, either the facility shall revert to the school district subject to any debt owed on the facility, or the owner of the facility shall have the option to refund all educational impact fees utilized for the facility to the school district. The district and the owner of the facility may contractually agree to another arrangement for the facilities if the facilities cease to be used for educational purposes. The owner of property planned or approved for new residential dwelling units and the entity levying educational impact fees shall enter into an agreement that designates the educational impact fees that will be allocated for the charter school student stations and that ensures the timely construction of the charter school student stations concurrent with the expected occupancy of the residential units. The application for use of educational impact fees shall include an approved charter school application. To assist the school district in forecasting student station needs, the entity levying the impact fees shall notify the affected district of any agreements it has approved for the purpose of mitigating student station impact from the new residential dwelling units. Any entity contributing toward the construction of such facilities shall receive a credit toward any impact fees or exactions imposed for public educational facilities to the extent that the entity has not received a credit for such contribution pursuant to s. 163.3180(6)(h)2.
(g) Each school district shall annually provide to the Department of Education as part of its 5-year work plan the number of existing vacant classrooms in each school that the district does not intend to use or does not project will be needed for educational purposes for the following school year. The department may recommend that a district make such space available to an appropriate charter school.
(19) CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING.—Charter schools sponsored by a school district are eligible for capital outlay funds pursuant to ss. 1011.71(2) and 1013.62. Capital outlay funds authorized in ss. 1011.71(2) and 1013.62 which have been shared with a charter school-in-the-workplace prior to July 1, 2010, are deemed to have met the authorized expenditure requirements for such funds.
(20) SERVICES.—
(a)1. A sponsor shall provide certain administrative and educational services to charter schools. These services shall include contract management services; full-time equivalent and data reporting services; exceptional student education administration services; services related to eligibility and reporting duties required to ensure that school lunch services under the National School Lunch Program, consistent with the needs of the charter school, are provided by the sponsor at the request of the charter school, that any funds due to the charter school under the National School Lunch Program be paid to the charter school as soon as the charter school begins serving food under the National School Lunch Program, and that the charter school is paid at the same time and in the same manner under the National School Lunch Program as other public schools serviced by the sponsor or the school district; test administration services, including payment of the costs of state-required or district-required student assessments; processing of teacher certificate data services; and information services, including equal access to the sponsor’s student information systems that are used by public schools in the district in which the charter school is located or by schools in the sponsor’s portfolio of charter schools if the sponsor is not a school district. Student performance data for each student in a charter school, including, but not limited to, FCAT scores, standardized test scores, previous public school student report cards, and student performance measures, shall be provided by the sponsor to a charter school in the same manner provided to other public schools in the district or by schools in the sponsor’s portfolio of charter schools if the sponsor is not a school district.
2. A sponsor shall provide training to charter schools on systems the sponsor will require the charter school to use.
3. A sponsor may withhold an administrative fee for the provision of such services which shall be a percentage of the available funds defined in paragraph (17)(b) calculated based on weighted full-time equivalent students. If the charter school serves 75 percent or more exceptional education students as defined in s. 1003.01(9), the percentage shall be calculated based on unweighted full-time equivalent students. The administrative fee shall be calculated as follows:
a. Up to 5 percent for:
(I) Enrollment of up to and including 250 students in a charter school as defined in this section.
(II) Enrollment of up to and including 500 students within a charter school system which meets all of the following:
(A) Includes conversion charter schools and nonconversion charter schools.
(B) Has all of its schools located in the same county.
(C) Has a total enrollment exceeding the total enrollment of at least one school district in this state.
(D) Has the same governing board for all of its schools.
(E) Does not contract with a for-profit service provider for management of school operations.
(III) Enrollment of up to and including 250 students in a virtual charter school.
b. Up to 2 percent for enrollment of up to and including 250 students in a high-performing charter school as defined in s. 1002.331.
c. Up to 2 percent for enrollment of up to and including 250 students in an exceptional student education center that meets the requirements of the rules adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1008.3415(3).
4. A sponsor may not charge charter schools any additional fees or surcharges for administrative and educational services in addition to the maximum percentage of administrative fees withheld pursuant to this paragraph. A sponsor may not charge or withhold any administrative fee against a charter school for any funds specifically allocated by the Legislature for teacher compensation.
5. A sponsor shall provide to the department by September 15 of each year the total amount of funding withheld from charter schools pursuant to this subsection for the prior fiscal year. The department must include the information in the report required under sub-sub-subparagraph (5)(b)1.k.(III).
6. A sponsor shall annually provide a report to its charter schools on what services are being rendered from the sponsor’s portion of the administrative fee. The report must include the listed services and be submitted to the department by September 15 of each year.
(b) If goods and services are made available to the charter school through the contract with the sponsor, they shall be provided to the charter school at a rate no greater than the sponsor’s actual cost unless mutually agreed upon by the charter school and the sponsor in a contract negotiated separately from the charter. When mediation has failed to resolve disputes over contracted services or contractual matters not included in the charter, an appeal may be made to an administrative law judge appointed by the Division of Administrative Hearings. The administrative law judge has final order authority to rule on the dispute. The administrative law judge shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred during the mediation process, administrative proceeding, and any appeals, to be paid by the party against whom the administrative law judge rules. To maximize the use of state funds, sponsors shall allow charter schools to participate in the sponsor’s bulk purchasing program if applicable.
(c) Transportation of charter school students shall be provided by the charter school consistent with the requirements of subpart I.E. of chapter 1006 and s. 1012.45. The governing body of the charter school may provide transportation through an agreement or contract with the sponsor, a private provider, or parents. The charter school and the sponsor shall cooperate in making arrangements that ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school as determined in its charter.
(d) Each charter school shall annually complete and submit a survey, provided in a format specified by the Department of Education, to rate the timeliness and quality of services provided by the sponsor in accordance with this section. The department shall compile the results, by sponsor, and include the results in the report required under sub-sub-subparagraph (5)(b)1.k.(III).
(21) PUBLIC INFORMATION ON CHARTER SCHOOLS.—
(a) The Department of Education shall provide information to the public, directly and through sponsors, on how to form and operate a charter school and how to enroll in a charter school once it is created. This information shall include the standard application form, standard charter and virtual charter contracts, standard evaluation instrument, and standard charter and virtual charter renewal contracts, which shall include the information specified in subsection (7) and shall be developed by consulting and negotiating with both sponsors and charter schools before implementation. The charter and virtual charter contracts and charter renewal and virtual charter renewal contracts shall be used by charter school sponsors.
(b)1. The Department of Education shall report to each charter school receiving a school grade pursuant to s. 1008.34 or a school improvement rating pursuant to s. 1008.341 the school’s student assessment data.
2. The charter school shall report the information in subparagraph 1. to each parent of a student at the charter school, the parent of a child on a waiting list for the charter school, the sponsor, and the governing board of the charter school. This paragraph does not abrogate the provisions of s. 1002.22, relating to student records, or the requirements of 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
(22) FACILITIES SHARED BY CHARTER SCHOOLS.—
(a) If a charter school moves out of a facility that is shared with another charter school having a separate Master School Identification Number, the charter school must provide for an audit of all equipment, educational materials and supplies, curriculum materials, and other items purchased or developed with federal charter school program grant funds, and such items must be transferred to the charter school’s new location. The audit report must be submitted to the Department of Education within 60 days after completion.
(b) A charter school may not transfer an enrolled student to another charter school having a separate Master School Identification Number without first obtaining the written approval of the student’s parent.
(23) ANALYSIS OF CHARTER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE.—Upon receipt of the annual report required by paragraph (9)(k), the Department of Education shall provide to the State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives an analysis and comparison of the overall performance of charter school students, to include all students whose scores are counted as part of the statewide assessment program, versus comparable public school students in the district as determined by the statewide assessment program currently administered in the school district, and other assessments administered pursuant to s. 1008.22(3).
(24) RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.—
(a) This subsection applies to charter school personnel in a charter school operated by a private entity. As used in this subsection, the term:
1. “Charter school personnel” means a president, chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority and in whom is vested the authority, or to whom the authority has been delegated, to appoint, employ, promote, or advance individuals or to recommend individuals for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement in connection with employment in a charter school, including the authority as a member of a governing body of a charter school to vote on the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of individuals.
(b) Charter school personnel may not appoint, employ, promote, or advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a position in the charter school in which the personnel are serving or over which the personnel exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative. An individual may not be appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in or to a position in a charter school if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement has been advocated by charter school personnel who serve in or exercise jurisdiction or control over the charter school and who is a relative of the individual or if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement is made by the governing board of which a relative of the individual is a member.
(c) The approval of budgets does not constitute “jurisdiction or control” for the purposes of this subsection.
Charter school personnel in schools operated by a municipality or other public entity are subject to s. 112.3135.
(25) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY STATUS FOR CERTAIN CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEMS.—
(a) A charter school system’s governing board shall be designated a local educational agency for the purpose of receiving federal funds, the same as though the charter school system were a school district, if the governing board of the charter school system has adopted and filed a resolution with its sponsor and the Department of Education in which the governing board of the charter school system accepts the full responsibility for all local education agency requirements and the charter school system meets all of the following:
1. Has all schools located in the same county;
2. Has a total enrollment exceeding the total enrollment of at least one school district in this state; and
3. Has the same governing board.
(b) A charter school system’s governing board may be designated a local educational agency for the purpose of receiving federal funds for all schools within a school district that are established pursuant to s. 1008.33 and are under the jurisdiction of the governing board. The governing board must adopt and file a resolution with its sponsoring district school board and the Department of Education and accept full responsibility for all local educational agency requirements.
Such designation does not apply to other provisions unless specifically provided in law.
(26) STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.—
(a) A member of a governing board of a charter school, including a charter school operated by a private entity, is subject to ss. 112.313(2), (3), (7), and (12) and 112.3143(3).
(b) A member of a governing board of a charter school operated by a municipality or other public entity is subject to s. 112.3145, which relates to the disclosure of financial interests.
(c) An employee of the charter school, or his or her spouse, or an employee of a charter management organization, or his or her spouse, may not be a member of the governing board of the charter school.
(27) MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.—
(a) The Legislature finds that military families face unique challenges due to the highly mobile nature of military service. Among the many challenges that military families face is providing a high-quality education for their children without disruption. The state has a compelling interest in assisting the development and enhancement of learning opportunities for military children and addressing their unique needs.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that a framework be established to address the needs of military children who, along with their families, face unique challenges due to the highly mobile nature of military service. In establishing this framework, military installation commanders are encouraged to collaboratively work with the Commissioner of Education to increase military family student achievement, which may include the establishment of charter schools on military installations. Although the State Board of Education, through the Commissioner of Education, shall supervise this collaboration, the applicable school district shall operate and maintain control over any school that is established on the military installation.
(28) RULEMAKING.—The Department of Education, after consultation with sponsors and charter school directors, shall recommend that the State Board of Education adopt rules to implement specific subsections of this section. Such rules shall require minimum paperwork and shall not limit charter school flexibility authorized by statute. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, to implement a standard charter application form, standard application form for the replication of charter schools in a high-performing charter school system, standard evaluation instrument, standard monitoring tool, and standard charter and charter renewal contracts in accordance with this section.
1Note.—The word “for” was inserted by the editors to improve clarity.
1002.3301 Charter School Review Commission.—Subject to an appropriation, the Charter School Review Commission is created within the Department of Education to review and approve applications for charter schools overseen by district school boards.
(1) The commission shall consist of seven members who have charter school experience, selected by the State Board of Education and subject to confirmation by the Senate. The commissioner shall designate one member as the chair. Each member shall be appointed to a 4-year term. However, for the purpose of achieving staggered terms, of the initial appointments, three members shall be appointed to 2-year terms and four members shall be appointed to 4-year terms. All subsequent appointments shall be for 4-year terms. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum.
(2) The commission has the same powers and duties as sponsors pursuant to s. 1002.33 in regard to reviewing and approving charter schools.
(3) The Department of Education shall contract with a college or university to provide administrative and technical assistance to the commission by reviewing and providing an analysis of charter school applications submitted to the commission.
(4) The district school board of the school district in which the proposed charter school will be located shall be the sponsor of and supervisor for the new charter school and shall provide an initial proposed charter contract to the charter school pursuant to s. 1002.33(7)(b) within 30 calendar days after the commission’s decision granting an application.
(5) Within 3 calendar days after an applicant submits an application for a charter school to the commission, the applicant must also provide a copy of the application to the school district in which the proposed charter school will be located. Within 30 calendar days after receiving a copy of the application, the school district may provide input to the commission on a form prescribed by the department. The commission must consider such input in reviewing the application.
(6) The decisions of the commission may be appealed in accordance with s. 1002.33(6)(c).
(7) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section.
1002.3305 College-Preparatory Boarding Academy Pilot Program for at-risk students.—
(1) PROGRAM CREATION.—The College-Preparatory Boarding Academy Pilot Program is created for the purpose of providing unique educational opportunities to dependent or at-risk children who are academic underperformers but who have the potential to progress from at-risk to college-bound. The State Board of Education shall implement this program.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Board” means the board of trustees of a college-preparatory boarding academy for at-risk students.
(b) “Eligible student” means a student who is a resident of the state and entitled to attend school in a participating school district, is at risk of academic failure, is currently enrolled in grades 5 through 12, if it is determined by the operator that a seat is available, is from a family whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, is eligible for benefits or services funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, and meets at least one of the following additional risk factors:
1. The child is in foster care or has been declared an adjudicated dependent by a court.
2. The student’s head of household is not the student’s custodial parent.
3. The student resides in a household that receives a housing voucher or has been determined eligible for public housing assistance.
4. A member of the student’s immediate family has been incarcerated.
5. The child is covered under the terms of the state’s Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration project with the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(c) “Operator” means a private, nonprofit corporation that is selected by the state under subsection (3) to operate the program.
(d) “Program” means a college-preparatory boarding academy for at-risk students which includes:
1. A remedial curriculum for middle school grades;
2. The college-preparatory curriculum for high school grades;
3. Extracurricular activities, including athletics and cultural events;
4. College admissions counseling;
5. Health and mental health services;
6. Tutoring;
7. Community service and service learning opportunities;
8. A residential student life program;
9. Extended school days and supplemental programs; and
10. Professional services focused on the language arts and reading standards, mathematics standards, science standards, technology standards, and developmental or life skill standards using innovative and best practices for all students.
(e) “Sponsor” means a public school district that acts as a sponsor pursuant to s. 1002.33.
(3) PROPOSALS.—
(a) The State Board of Education shall select a private, nonprofit corporation to operate the program which must meet all of the following qualifications:
1. The nonprofit corporation has, or will receive as a condition of the contract, a public charter school authorized under s. 1002.33 to offer grades 6 through 12, or has a partnership with a sponsor to operate a school.
2. The nonprofit corporation has experience operating a school or program similar to the program authorized under this section.
3. The nonprofit corporation has demonstrated success with a school or program similar to the program authorized under this section.
4. The nonprofit corporation has the capacity to finance and secure private funds for the development of a campus for the program.
(b) Within 60 days after July 1, 2011, the State Board of Education shall issue a request for proposals from private, nonprofit corporations interested in operating the program. The state board shall select operators from among the qualified responders within 120 days after the issuance of the requests for proposal.
(c) Each proposal must contain the following information:
1. The proposed location of the college-preparatory boarding academy;
2. A plan for offering grade 6 in the program’s initial year of operation and a plan for expanding the grade levels offered by the school in subsequent years; and
3. Any other information about the proposed educational program, facilities, or operations of the school determined necessary by the state board.
(4) CONTRACT.—The State Board of Education shall contract with the operator of a college-preparatory boarding academy. The contract must stipulate that:
(a) The academy operates only if, and to the extent that, it holds a valid charter authorized under s. 1002.33 or is authorized by a local school district defined as a sponsor pursuant to s. 1002.33.
(b) The operator finances and oversees the acquisition of a facility for the academy.
(c) The operator operates the academy in accordance with the terms of the proposal accepted by the state board.
(d) The operator complies with this section.
(e) The operator complies with any other provisions of law specified in the contract, the charter granted by the local school district or the operating agreement with the sponsor, and the rules adopted by the state board for schools operating in this state.
(f) The operator complies with the bylaws adopted pursuant to subsection (5).
(g) The operator complies with the standards for admission of students to the academy and for dismissal of students from the academy which are included in the contract and may be reevaluated and revised by mutual agreement between the operator and the state board.
(h) The operator meets the academic goals and other performance standards established by the contract.
(i) The state board or the operator may terminate the contract in accordance with the procedures specified in the contract, which must at least require that the party seeking termination give prior written notice of the intent to terminate and that the party receiving the termination notice is granted an opportunity to redress any grievances cited therein.
(j) If the school closes for any reason, the academy’s board of trustees execute the closing in a manner specified in the contract.
(5) OPERATOR BYLAWS.—The operator of the program shall adopt bylaws for the oversight and operation of the academy which are in accordance with this section, state law, and the contract between the operator and the State Board of Education. The bylaws must include procedures for the appointment of board members to the academy’s board of trustees, which may not exceed 25 members, 5 members of whom shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The bylaws are subject to approval of the state board.
(6) OUTREACH.—The program operator shall adopt an outreach program with the local education agency or school district and community. The outreach program must give special attention to the recruitment of eligible children in the state who are academic underperformers and who, if given the unique educational opportunity provided in the program, have the potential to progress from at-risk children to college-bound children.
(7) FUNDING.—The college-preparatory boarding academy must be a public school and part of the state’s program of education. The program may receive state and federal funding from noneducation sources, and such funds may be transferred between state agencies to provide for the operations of the program. The State Board of Education shall coordinate, streamline, and simplify any requirements to eliminate duplicate, redundant, or conflicting requirements and oversight by various governmental programs or agencies. Funding for the operation of the boarding academy is contingent on the development of a plan by the Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Children and Families which details how educational and noneducational funds that would otherwise be committed to the students in the school and their families can be repurposed to provide for the operation of the school and related services. Such plans must be based on federal and state funding streams for children and families meeting the eligibility criteria for eligible students as specified in paragraph (2)(b) and include recommendations for modifications to the criteria for eligible students which further the program’s goals or improve the feasibility of using existing funding sources. The plan shall be submitted, together with relevant budget requests, through the legislative budget request process under s. 216.023 or through requests for budget amendments to the Legislative Budget Commission in accordance with s. 216.181.
(8) STUDENT SERVICES.—Students enrolled in the program who have been adjudicated dependent must remain under the case management services and supervision of the lead agency and its respective providers. The operator may contract with its own providers as necessary to provide services to children in the program and to ensure continuity of the full range of services required by children in foster care who attend the academy. The decision of a foster parent to withdraw a child from the program who is in foster care and has been admitted to the program is subject to the review and approval of the state agency.
(9) MEDICAID BILLING.—This section does not prohibit an operator from appropriately billing Medicaid for services rendered to eligible students through the program or from earning federal or local funding for services provided.
(10) ADMISSION.—An eligible student may apply for admission to the program. If more eligible students apply for admission than the number of students permitted by the capacity established by the board of trustees, admission shall be determined by lottery. The college preparatory boarding academy may enter into an agreement with the Department of Children and Families to admit a designated number of students who are covered under the state’s Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration project and develop an alternative admissions process for these eligible students.
(11) STUDENT HOUSING.—Notwithstanding s. 409.176 or any other provision of law, an operator may house and educate dependent, at-risk youth in its residential school for the purpose of facilitating the mission of the program and encouraging innovative practices.
(12) ANNUAL REPORT.—
(a) The State Board of Education shall issue an annual report for each college-preparatory boarding academy which includes all information applicable to schools.
(b) The college-preparatory boarding academy shall report to the Department of Education, in the form and manner prescribed in the contract, all information applicable to public schools and any additional information as specified by the contract.
(c) The operator shall comply with all provisions applicable to public schools. The operator shall provide the student’s legal guardians with sufficient information on whether the student is reading at grade level and whether the student gains at least a year’s worth of learning for every year spent in the program.
(1) A charter school is a high-performing charter school if it:
(a)1. Received at least two school grades of “A” and no school grade below “B,” pursuant to s. 1008.34, during each of the previous 3 school years or received at least two consecutive school grades of “A” in the most recent 2 school years for the years that the school received a grade; or
2. Receives, during its first 3 years of operation, funding through the National Fund of the Charter School Growth Fund, and has received no school grade lower than a “C,” pursuant to s. 1008.34, during each of the previous 3 school years for the years that the school received a grade.
(b) Received an unqualified opinion on each annual financial audit required under s. 218.39 in the most recent 3 fiscal years for which such audits are available.
(c) Did not receive a financial audit that revealed one or more of the financial emergency conditions set forth in s. 218.503(1) in the most recent 3 fiscal years for which such audits are available. However, this requirement is deemed met for a charter school-in-the-workplace if there is a finding in an audit that the school has the monetary resources available to cover any reported deficiency or that the deficiency does not result in a deteriorating financial condition pursuant to s. 1002.345(1)(a)3.
For purposes of determining initial eligibility, the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) only apply for the most recent 2 fiscal years if the charter school earns two consecutive grades of “A.” A virtual charter school established under s. 1002.33 is not eligible for designation as a high-performing charter school.
(2) A high-performing charter school is authorized to:
(a) Increase its student enrollment once per school year to more than the capacity identified in the charter, but student enrollment may not exceed the capacity of the facility at the time the enrollment increase will take effect. Facility capacity for purposes of expansion shall include any improvements to an existing facility or any new facility in which the students of the high-performing charter school will enroll.
(b) Expand grade levels within kindergarten through grade 12 to add grade levels not already served if any annual enrollment increase resulting from grade level expansion is within the limit established in paragraph (a).
(c) Submit a quarterly, rather than a monthly, financial statement to the sponsor pursuant to s. 1002.33(9)(g).
(d) Consolidate under a single charter the charters of multiple high-performing charter schools operated in the same school district by the charter schools’ governing board regardless of the renewal cycle.
(e) Receive a modification of its charter to a term of 15 years or a 15-year charter renewal. The charter may be modified or renewed for a shorter term at the option of the high-performing charter school. The charter must be consistent with s. 1002.33(7)(a)19. and (10)(h) and (i), is subject to annual review by the sponsor, and may be terminated during its term pursuant to s. 1002.33(8).
A high-performing charter school shall notify its sponsor in writing by March 1 if it intends to increase enrollment or expand grade levels the following school year. The written notice shall specify the amount of the enrollment increase and the grade levels that will be added, as applicable. If a charter school notifies the sponsor of its intent to expand, the sponsor shall modify the charter within 90 days to include the new enrollment maximum and may not make any other changes. The sponsor may deny a request to increase the enrollment of a high-performing charter school if the commissioner has declassified the charter school as high-performing. If a high-performing charter school requests to consolidate multiple charters, the sponsor shall have 40 days after receipt of that request to provide an initial draft charter to the charter school. The sponsor and charter school shall have 50 days thereafter to negotiate and notice the charter contract for final approval by the sponsor.
(3)(a)1. A high-performing charter school may submit an application pursuant to s. 1002.33(6) in any school district in the state to establish and operate a new charter school that will substantially replicate its educational program. An application submitted by a high-performing charter school must state that the application is being submitted pursuant to this paragraph and must include the verification letter provided by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to subsection (4).
2. If the sponsor fails to act on the application within 90 days after receipt, the application is deemed approved and the procedure in s. 1002.33(7) applies.
(b) A high-performing charter school may submit two applications for a charter school to be opened within this state under paragraph (a) at a time determined by the high-performing charter school. A subsequent application to establish a charter school under paragraph (a) may not be submitted unless each charter school applicant commences operations or an application is otherwise withdrawn. However, a high-performing charter school may establish more than one charter school within this state under paragraph (a) in any year if it operates in the area of a persistently low-performing school and serves students from that school. This paragraph applies to any high-performing charter school with an existing approved application.
(4) The Commissioner of Education, upon request by a charter school, shall verify that the charter school meets the criteria in subsection (1) and provide a letter to the charter school and the sponsor stating that the charter school is a high-performing charter school pursuant to this section. The commissioner shall annually determine whether a high-performing charter school under subsection (1) continues to meet the criteria in that subsection. Such high-performing charter school shall maintain its high-performing status unless the commissioner determines that the charter school no longer meets the criteria in subsection (1), at which time the commissioner shall send a letter providing notification of its declassification as a high-performing charter school.
(5) A high-performing charter school replicated under this section may not be replicated as a virtual charter school.
(a) “Entity” means a municipality or other public entity that is authorized by law to operate a charter school; a private, nonprofit corporation with tax-exempt status under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or a private, for-profit education management corporation.
(b) “High-performing charter school system” means an entity that:
1. Operated at least three high-performing charter schools in the state during each of the previous 3 school years;
2. Operated a system of charter schools in which at least 50 percent of the charter schools were high-performing charter schools pursuant to s. 1002.331 and no charter school earned a school grade of “D” or “F” pursuant to s. 1008.34 in any of the previous 3 school years regardless of whether the entity currently operates the charter school, except that:
a. If the entity assumed operation of a public school pursuant to s. 1008.33(4)(b)2. with a school grade of “F,” that school’s grade may not be considered in determining high-performing charter school system status for a period of 3 years.
b. If the entity established a new charter school that served a student population the majority of which resided in a school zone served by a public school that earned a grade of “F” or three consecutive grades of “D” pursuant to s. 1008.34, that charter school’s grade may not be considered in determining high-performing charter school system status if it attained and maintained a school grade that was higher than that of the public school serving that school zone within 3 years after establishment; and
3. Did not receive a financial audit that revealed one or more of the financial emergency conditions set forth in s. 218.503(1) for any charter school assumed or established by the entity in the most recent 3 fiscal years for which such audits are available.
(2)(a) The Commissioner of Education shall verify all charter schools served by an entity and verify that the entity meets the criteria in this section for the previous school year and provide a letter to the entity stating that it is a high-performing charter school system.
1. As part of the commissioner’s verification, the entity shall identify all charter schools in this state which the entity has operated or provided services for the previous 3 years, regardless of whether the entity currently operates or provides services for the charter school. For all such charter schools that the entity no longer operates, the entity shall identify the reasons the entity terminated the operation or services or grounds stated by the charter school’s governing board in terminating the operation or services of the entity.
2. The commissioner shall annually determine whether a high-performing charter school system continues to meet the criteria in this section. A high-performing charter school system shall maintain its high-performing status unless the commissioner determines that the charter school system no longer meets the criteria in this section, at which time the commissioner shall send a letter providing notification of its declassification as a high-performing charter school system.
(b) A high-performing charter school system may replicate its high-performing charter schools in any school district in the state. The applicant must submit an application using the standard application form prepared by the Department of Education which:
1. Contains goals and objectives for improving student learning and a process for measuring student improvement. These goals and objectives must indicate how much academic improvement students are expected to demonstrate each year, how success will be evaluated, and the specific results to be attained through instruction.
2. Contains an annual financial plan for each year requested by the charter for operation of the school for up to 5 years. This plan must contain anticipated fund balances based on revenue projections, a spending plan based on projected revenue and expenses, and a description of controls that will safeguard finances and projected enrollment trends.
3. Discloses the name of each applicant, governing board member, and all proposed education services providers; the name and sponsor of any charter school operated by each applicant, each governing board member, and each proposed education services provider that has closed and the reasons for the closure; and the academic and financial history of such charter schools, which the sponsor shall consider when deciding whether to approve or deny the application.
(c) An application submitted by a high-performing charter school system must state that the application is being submitted pursuant to this section and must include the verification letter provided by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to this subsection. If the sponsor fails to act on the application within 90 days after receipt, the application is deemed approved and the procedure in s. 1002.33(7) applies.
(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Florida Opportunity Zone” means a population census tract that has been designated by the United States Department of the Treasury as a Qualified Opportunity Zone pursuant to s. 1400Z-1(b)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(b) “Hope operator” means an entity identified by the department pursuant to subsection (2).
(c) “Persistently low-performing school” means a school that has earned three grades lower than a “C,” pursuant to s. 1008.34, in at least 3 of the previous 5 years that the school received a grade and has not earned a grade of “B” or higher in the most recent 2 school years, and a school that was closed pursuant to s. 1008.33(4) within 2 years after the submission of a notice of intent.
(d) “School of hope” means:
1. A charter school operated by a hope operator which:
a. Serves students from one or more persistently low-performing schools and students who reside in a Florida Opportunity Zone;
b. Is located in a Florida Opportunity Zone or in the attendance zone of a persistently low-performing school or within a 5-mile radius of such school, whichever is greater; and
c. Is a Title I eligible school; or
2. A school operated by a hope operator pursuant to s. 1008.33(4)(b)3.
(2) HOPE OPERATOR.—A hope operator is a nonprofit organization with tax exempt status under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that operates three or more charter schools that serve students in grades K-12 in Florida or other states with a record of serving students from low-income families and is designated by the State Board of Education as a hope operator based on a determination that:
(a) The past performance of the hope operator meets or exceeds the following criteria:
1. The achievement of enrolled students exceeds the district and state averages of the states in which the operator’s schools operate;
2. The average college attendance rate at all schools currently operated by the operator exceeds 80 percent, if such data is available;
3. The percentage of students eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the National School Lunch Act enrolled at all schools currently operated by the operator exceeds 70 percent;
4. The operator is in good standing with the authorizer in each state in which it operates;
5. The audited financial statements of the operator are free of material misstatements and going concern issues; and
6. Other outcome measures as determined by the State Board of Education;
(b) The operator was awarded a United States Department of Education Charter School Program Grant for Replication and Expansion of High-Quality Charter Schools within the preceding 3 years before applying to be a hope operator;
(c) The operator receives funding through the National Fund of the Charter School Growth Fund to accelerate the growth of the nation’s best charter schools; or
(d) The operator is selected by a district school board in accordance with s. 1008.33.
An entity that meets the requirements of paragraph (b), paragraph (c), or paragraph (d) before the adoption by the state board of measurable criteria pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be designated as a hope operator. After the adoption of the measurable criteria, an entity, including a governing board that operates a school established pursuant to s. 1008.33(4)(b)3., shall be designated as a hope operator if it meets the criteria of paragraph (a).
(3) DESIGNATION OF HOPE OPERATOR.—Initial status as a hope operator is valid for 5 years from the opening of a school of hope. If a hope operator seeks the renewal of its status, such renewal shall solely be based upon the academic and financial performance of all schools established by the operator in the state since its initial designation.
(4) ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOLS OF HOPE.—A hope operator seeking to open a school of hope must submit a notice of intent to the school district in which a persistently low-performing school has been identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (10) or in which a Florida Opportunity Zone is located.
(a) The notice of intent must include:
1. An academic focus and plan.
2. A financial plan.
3. Goals and objectives for increasing student achievement for the students from low-income families.
4. A completed or planned community outreach plan.
5. The organizational history of success in working with students with similar demographics.
6. The grade levels to be served and enrollment projections.
7. The proposed location or geographic area proposed for the school consistent with the requirements of sub-subparagraphs (1)(d)1.a. and b.
8. A staffing plan.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of s. 1002.33, a school district shall enter into a performance-based agreement with a hope operator to open schools to serve students from persistently low-performing schools and students residing in a Florida Opportunity Zone.
(5) PERFORMANCE-BASED AGREEMENT.—The following shall comprise the entirety of the performance-based agreement:
(a) The notice of intent, which is incorporated by reference and attached to the agreement.
(b) The location or geographic area proposed for the school of hope and its proximity to the persistently low-performing school, as applicable.
(c) An enumeration of the grades to be served in each year of the agreement and whether the school will serve children in the school readiness or prekindergarten programs.
(d) A plan of action and specific milestones for student recruitment and the enrollment of students from persistently low-performing schools and students residing in a Florida Opportunity Zone, including enrollment preferences and procedures for conducting transparent admissions lotteries that are open to the public. Students from persistently low-performing schools and students residing in a Florida Opportunity Zone shall be exempt from any enrollment lottery to the extent permitted by federal grant requirements.
(e) A delineation of the current incoming baseline standard of student academic achievement, the outcomes to be achieved, and the method of measurement that will be used.
(f) A description of the methods of involving parents and expected levels for such involvement.
(g) The grounds for termination, including failure to meet the requirements for student performance established pursuant to paragraph (e), generally accepted standards of fiscal management, or material violation of terms of the agreement. The nonrenewal or termination of a performance-based agreement must comply with the requirements of s. 1002.33(8).
(h) A provision allowing the hope operator to open additional schools to serve students enrolled in or zoned for a persistently low-performing school and students residing in a Florida Opportunity Zone if the hope operator maintains its status under subsection (3).
(i) A provision establishing the initial term as 5 years. The agreement shall be renewed, upon the request of the hope operator, unless the school fails to meet the requirements for student performance established pursuant to paragraph (e) or generally accepted standards of fiscal management or the school of hope materially violates the law or the terms of the agreement.
(j) A requirement to provide transportation consistent with the requirements of ss. 1006.21-1006.27 and s. 1012.45. The governing body of the school of hope may provide transportation through an agreement or contract with the district school board, a private provider, or parents of enrolled students. Transportation may not be a barrier to equal access for all students residing within reasonable distance of the school.
(k) A requirement that any arrangement entered into to borrow or otherwise secure funds for the school of hope from a source other than the state or a school district shall indemnify the state and the school district from any and all liability, including, but not limited to, financial responsibility for the payment of the principal or interest.
(l) A provision that any loans, bonds, or other financial agreements are not obligations of the state or the school district but are obligations of the school of hope and are payable solely from the sources of funds pledged by such agreement.
(m) A prohibition on the pledge of credit or taxing power of the state or the school district.
(6) STATUTORY AUTHORITY.—
(a) A school of hope or a nonprofit entity that operates more than one school of hope through a performance-based agreement with a school district may be designated as a local education agency by the department, if requested, for the purposes of receiving federal funds and, in doing so, accepts the full responsibility for all local education agency requirements and the schools for which it will perform local education agency responsibilities.
1. A nonprofit entity designated as a local education agency may report its students to the department in accordance with the definitions in s. 1011.61 and pursuant to the department’s procedures and timelines.
2. Students enrolled in a school established by a hope operator designated as a local educational agency are not eligible students for purposes of calculating the district grade pursuant to s. 1008.34(5).
(b) For the purposes of tort liability, the hope operator, the school of hope, and its employees or agents shall be governed by s. 768.28. The sponsor shall not be liable for civil damages under state law for the employment actions or personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from an act or omission of a hope operator, the school of hope, or its employees or agents. This paragraph does not include any for-profit entity contracted by the charter school or its governing body.
(c) A school of hope may be either a private or a public employer. As a public employer, the school of hope may participate in the Florida Retirement System upon application and approval as a covered group under s. 121.021(34). If a school of hope participates in the Florida Retirement System, the school of hope’s employees shall be compulsory members of the Florida Retirement System.
(d) A hope operator may employ school administrators and instructional personnel who do not meet the requirements of s. 1012.56 if the school administrators and instructional personnel are not ineligible for such employment under s. 1012.315.
(e) Compliance with s. 1003.03 shall be calculated as the average at the school level.
(f) Schools of hope operated by a hope operator shall be exempt from chapters 1000-1013 and all school board policies. However, a hope operator shall be in compliance with the laws in chapters 1000-1013 relating to:
1. The student assessment program and school grading system.
2. Student progression and graduation.
3. The provision of services to students with disabilities.
4. Civil rights, including s. 1000.05, relating to discrimination.
5. Student health, safety, and welfare.
6. Public meetings and records, public inspection, and criminal and civil penalties pursuant to s. 286.011. The governing board of a school of hope must hold at least two public meetings per school year in the school district in which the school of hope is located. Any other meetings of the governing board may be held in accordance with s. 120.54(5)(b)2.
7. Public records pursuant to chapter 119.
8. The code of ethics for public officers and employees pursuant to ss. 112.313(2), (3), (7), and (12) and 112.3143(3).
(g) Each school of hope that has not been designated as a local education agency shall report its students to the school district as required in s. 1011.62, and in accordance with the definitions in s. 1011.61. The school district shall include each charter school’s enrollment in the district’s report of student enrollment. All charter schools submitting student record information required by the department shall comply with the department’s guidelines for electronic data formats for such data, and all districts shall accept electronic data that complies with the department’s electronic format.
(h)1. A school of hope shall provide the school district with a concise, uniform, quarterly financial statement summary sheet that contains a balance sheet and a statement of revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance. The balance sheet and the statement of revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance shall be in the governmental fund format prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Additionally, a school of hope shall comply with the annual audit requirement for charter schools in s. 218.39.
2. A school of hope is in compliance with subparagraph 1. if it is operated by a nonprofit entity designated as a local education agency and if the nonprofit submits to each school district in which it operates a school of hope:
a. A concise, uniform, quarterly financial statement summary sheet that contains a balance sheet summarizing the revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance for the entity and for its schools of hope within the school district.
b. An annual financial audit of the nonprofit which includes all schools of hope it operates within this state and which complies with s. 218.39 regarding audits of a school board.
(7) FACILITIES.—
(a) A school of hope shall use facilities that comply with the Florida Building Code, except for the State Requirements for Educational Facilities. A school of hope that uses school district facilities must comply with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities only if the school district and the hope operator have entered into a mutual management plan for the reasonable maintenance of such facilities. The mutual management plan shall contain a provision by which the district school board agrees to maintain the school facilities in the same manner as its other public schools within the district. The local governing authority shall not adopt or impose any local building requirements or site-development restrictions, such as parking and site-size criteria, student enrollment, and occupant load, that are addressed by and more stringent than those found in the State Requirements for Educational Facilities of the Florida Building Code. A local governing authority must treat schools of hope equitably in comparison to similar requirements, restrictions, and site planning processes imposed upon public schools. The agency having jurisdiction for inspection of a facility and issuance of a certificate of occupancy or use shall be the local municipality or, if in an unincorporated area, the county governing authority. If an official or employee of the local governing authority refuses to comply with this paragraph, the aggrieved school or entity has an immediate right to bring an action in circuit court to enforce its rights by injunction. An aggrieved party that receives injunctive relief may be awarded reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
(b) Any facility, or portion thereof, used to house a school of hope shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes pursuant to s. 196.1983. Library, community service, museum, performing arts, theater, cinema, church, Florida College System institution, college, and university facilities may provide space to schools of hope within their facilities under their preexisting zoning and land use designations without obtaining a special exception, rezoning, or a land use change.
(c) School of hope facilities are exempt from assessments of fees for building permits, except as provided in s. 553.80; fees for building and occupational licenses; impact fees or exactions; service availability fees; and assessments for special benefits.
(d) No later than January 1, the department shall annually provide to school districts a list of all underused, vacant, or surplus facilities owned or operated by the school district as reported in the Florida Inventory of School Houses. A school district may provide evidence to the department that the list contains errors or omissions within 30 days after receipt of the list. By each April 1, the department shall update and publish a final list of all underused, vacant, or surplus facilities owned or operated by each school district, based upon updated information provided by each school district. A hope operator establishing a school of hope may use an educational facility identified in this paragraph at no cost or at a mutually agreeable cost not to exceed $600 per student. A hope operator using a facility pursuant to this paragraph may not sell or dispose of such facility without the written permission of the school district. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “underused, vacant, or surplus facility” means an entire facility or portion thereof which is not fully used or is used irregularly or intermittently by the school district for instructional or program use.
(8) NONCOMPLIANCE.—A school district that does not enter into a performance-based agreement within 60 days after receipt of a notice of intent shall reduce the administrative fees withheld pursuant to s. 1002.33(20) to 1 percent for all charter schools operating in the school district. Upon execution of the performance-based agreement, the school district may resume withholding the full amount of administrative fees, but may not recover any fees that would have otherwise accrued during the period of noncompliance. Any charter school that had administrative fees withheld in violation of this subsection may recover attorney fees and costs to enforce the requirements of this subsection. A school district subject to the requirements of this section shall file a monthly report detailing the reduction in the amount of administrative fees withheld.
(9) FUNDING.—
(a) Schools of hope shall be funded in accordance with s. 1002.33(17).
(b) Schools of hope shall receive priority in the department’s Public Charter School Grant Program competitions.
(c) Schools of hope shall be considered charter schools for purposes of s. 1013.62, except charter capital outlay may not be used to purchase real property or for the construction of school facilities.
(d) Schools of hope are eligible to receive funds from the Schools of Hope Program.
(e) For a nonprofit entity designated by the department as a local education agency pursuant to paragraph (6)(h), any unrestricted current and capital assets identified in the annual financial audit required by sub-subparagraph (6)(h)2.b. may be used for any other school of hope operated by the local education agency within the same district. Unrestricted current assets shall be used in accordance with s. 1011.62, and any unrestricted capital assets shall be used in accordance with s. 1013.62(2).
(10) SCHOOLS OF HOPE PROGRAM.—The Schools of Hope Program is created within the Department of Education.
(a) A school of hope is eligible to receive funds from the Schools of Hope Program for the following expenditures:
1. Preparing teachers, school leaders, and specialized instructional support personnel, including costs associated with:
a. Providing professional learning.
b. Hiring and compensating teachers, school leaders, and specialized instructional support personnel for services until the school reaches full enrollment in accordance with the performance-based agreement pursuant to subsection (5).
2. Acquiring supplies, training, equipment, and educational materials, including developing and acquiring instructional materials.
3. Providing one-time startup costs associated with providing transportation to students to and from the charter school.
4. Carrying out community engagement activities, which may include paying the cost of student and staff recruitment.
5. Providing funds to cover the nonvoted ad valorem millage that would otherwise be required for schools and the required local effort funds calculated pursuant to s. 1011.62 when the state board enters into an agreement with a hope operator pursuant to subsection (5).
6. Providing funds for the initial leasing costs of a school facility in the event the department determines that a suitable district-owned facility is unavailable or not leased in a timely manner pursuant to paragraph (7)(d).
In the event a school of hope is dissolved or is otherwise terminated, all property, furnishings, and equipment purchased with public funds shall automatically revert to full ownership by the district school board, subject to complete satisfaction of any lawful liens or encumbrances. Any unencumbered public funds from the school of hope, district school board property and improvements, furnishings, and equipment purchased with public funds, or financial or other records pertaining to the school of hope, in the possession of any person, entity, or holding company, other than the charter school, shall be held in trust upon the district school board’s request, until any appeal status is resolved.
(b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, funds allocated for the purpose of this subsection which are not disbursed by June 30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are allocated may be carried forward for up to 5 years after the effective date of the original appropriation.
(11) STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—Pursuant to Art. IX of the State Constitution, which prescribes the duty of the State Board of Education to supervise the public school system, the State Board of Education shall:
(a) Publish an annual list of persistently low-performing schools after the release of preliminary school grades.
(b) Adopt a standard notice of intent and performance-based agreement that must be used by hope operators and district school boards to eliminate regulatory and bureaucratic barriers that delay access to high quality schools for students in persistently low-performing schools and students residing in Florida Opportunity Zones.
(c) Resolve disputes between a hope operator and a school district arising from a performance-based agreement or a contract between a charter operator and a school district under the requirements of s. 1008.33. The Commissioner of Education shall appoint a special magistrate who is a member of The Florida Bar in good standing and who has at least 5 years’ experience in administrative law. The special magistrate shall hold hearings to determine facts relating to the dispute and to render a recommended decision for resolution to the State Board of Education. The recommendation may not alter in any way the provisions of the performance-based agreement under subsection (5). The special magistrate may administer oaths and issue subpoenas on behalf of the parties to the dispute or on his or her own behalf. Within 15 calendar days after the close of the final hearing, the special magistrate shall transmit a recommended decision to the State Board of Education and to the representatives of both parties by registered mail, return receipt requested. The State Board of Education must approve or reject the recommended decision at its next regularly scheduled meeting that is more than 7 calendar days and no more than 30 days after the date the recommended decision is transmitted. The decision by the State Board of Education is a final agency action that may be appealed to the District Court of Appeal, First District in accordance with s. 120.68. A charter school may recover attorney fees and costs if the State Board of Education determines that the school district unlawfully implemented or otherwise impeded implementation of the performance-based agreement pursuant to this paragraph.
(d) Provide students in persistently low-performing schools and students residing in Florida Opportunity Zones with a public school that meets accountability standards. The State Board of Education may enter into a performance-based agreement with a hope operator when a school district has not improved the school after 3 years of the interventions and support provided under s. 1008.33 or has not complied with the requirements of subsection (4). Upon the State Board of Education entering into a performance-based agreement with a hope operator, the school district shall transfer to the school of hope the proportionate share of state funds allocated from the Florida Education Finance Program.
(12) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section.
1002.334 Innovative Blended Learning and Real-Time Student Assessment Pilot Program.—
(1) There is created within the Department of Education the Innovative Blended Learning and Real-Time Student Assessment Pilot Program. The purpose of the program is to develop and measure innovative blended learning and real-time weekly student assessment educational models that improve the educational progress of this state’s students and help close achievement gaps for this state’s traditionally underserved students.
(2) As used in this section, the term “innovative blended learning” means:
(a) A mode of learning where in-person and remote students are combined in one classroom environment where the education, instruction, and engagement occurs at the same time with the teacher and other students physically present in the classroom; and
(b) For a given course, students learn in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace and in part at a traditional supervised classroom location away from home.
(3) To be eligible to work with the program, an applicant must be:
(a) A high-performing charter school under s. 1002.331;
(b) A high-performing charter school system under s. 1002.332; or
(c) An academically high-performing school district pursuant to s. 1003.621.
(4) A program applicant must submit an application to the department in a format prescribed by the department. The application must include all of the following:
(a) A plan for the synchronous technological and resource design, curriculum, classroom operation, school or district management, privacy protection and teacher professional learning, and at least weekly progress monitoring of real-time student performance in innovative blended learning programs.
(b) A plan to reduce achievement gaps through innovative blended learning.
(c) A requirement that distance learning will always be at the choosing of the student or the student’s parent or guardian and that a family will never be coerced to choose distance learning.
(d) A requirement that a participating classroom may not be fully virtual such that at least two-thirds of the students in a class must be present for in-person learning on any regularly scheduled school day.
(e) A requirement that any struggling student who is participating in this program and who, according to progress monitoring data, is on pace to learn less than a year’s content in a year’s time must return to learning in person.
(f) A requirement that any student can choose to switch learning modalities, in person or distance, on any given day, without notice and therefore a seat must always be available for every student registered to take any participating course.
(g) A requirement that the applicant provide all requested student-level data from participating schools, including, as necessary, benchmark historical data for up to the prior 3 school years, to the department upon request.
(5) Applications may be considered only for synchronous innovative blended learning programs.
(6) The Commissioner of Education shall select applicants to participate in the program.
(7) Districts and schools may not begin approved synchronous innovative blended learning programs until October 1, 2021.
(8)(a) Applicants approved by the commissioner shall receive funding based upon the number of full-time equivalent students being educated under the pilot program, as if each student were being educated full-time in person at his or her respective school.
(b) The commissioner may remove an approved applicant from program participation if the applicant fails to maintain the designations listed in subsection (3) or the applicant fails to meet any of the requirements listed in subsection (4).
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—The Legislature finds that the establishment of charter technical career centers can assist in promoting advances and innovations in workforce preparation and economic development. A charter technical career center may provide a learning environment that better serves the needs of a specific population group or a group of occupations, thus promoting diversity and choices within the public education and public postsecondary technical education community in this state. Therefore, the creation of such centers is authorized as part of the state’s program of public education. A charter technical career center may be formed by creating a new school or converting an existing school district or Florida College System institution program to charter technical status.
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of a charter technical career center is to:
(a) Develop a competitive workforce to support local business and industry and economic development.
(b) Create a training and education model that is reflective of marketplace realities.
(c) Offer a continuum of career educational opportunities using a school-to-work, tech-prep, technical, academy, and magnet school model.
(d) Provide career pathways for lifelong learning and career mobility.
(e) Enhance career and technical training.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Charter technical career center” or “center” means a public school or a public technical center operated under a charter granted by a district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees or a consortium, including one or more district school boards and Florida College System institution boards of trustees, that includes the district in which the facility is located, that is nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and operations, and is managed by a board of directors.
(b) “Sponsor” means a district school board, a Florida College System institution board of trustees, or a consortium of one or more of each.
(4) CHARTER.—A sponsor may designate centers as provided in this section. An application to establish a center may be submitted by a sponsor or another organization that is determined, by rule of the State Board of Education, to be appropriate. However, an independent school is not eligible for status as a center. The charter must be signed by the governing body of the center and the sponsor and must be approved by the district school board and Florida College System institution board of trustees in whose geographic region the facility is located. If a charter technical career center is established by the conversion to charter status of a public technical center formerly governed by a district school board, the charter status of that center takes precedence in any question of governance. The governance of the center or of any program within the center remains with its board of directors unless the board agrees to a change in governance or its charter is revoked as provided in subsection (15). Such a conversion charter technical career center is not affected by a change in the governance of public technical centers or of programs within other centers that are or have been governed by district school boards. A charter technical career center, or any program within such a center, that was governed by a district school board and transferred to a Florida College System institution prior to the effective date of this act is not affected by this provision. An applicant who wishes to establish a center must submit to the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees, or a consortium of one or more of each, an application on a form developed by the Department of Education which includes:
(a) The name of the proposed center.
(b) The proposed structure of the center, including a list of proposed members of the board of directors or a description of the qualifications for and method of their appointment or election.
(c) The workforce development goals of the center, the curriculum to be offered, and the outcomes and the methods of assessing the extent to which the outcomes are met.
(d) The admissions policy and criteria for evaluating the admission of students.
(e) A description of the staff responsibilities and the proposed qualifications of the teaching staff.
(f) A description of the procedures to be implemented to ensure significant involvement of representatives of business and industry in the operation of the center.
(g) A method for determining whether a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation specified in s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 and for completion of a postsecondary certificate or degree.
(h) A method for granting secondary and postsecondary diplomas, certificates, and degrees.
(i) A description of and address for the physical facility in which the center will be located.
(j) A method for resolving conflicts between the governing body of the center and the sponsor and between consortium members, if applicable.
(k) A method for reporting student data as required by law and rule.
(l) A statement that the applicant has participated in the training provided by the Department of Education.
(m) The identity of all relatives employed by the charter technical career center who are related to the center owner, president, chairperson of the governing board of directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal, assistant principal, or any other person employed by the center who has equivalent decisionmaking authority. As used in this paragraph, the term “relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
(n) Other information required by the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees.
Students at a center must meet the same testing and academic performance standards as those established by law and rule for students at public schools and public technical centers. The students must also meet any additional assessment indicators that are included within the charter approved by the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees.
(5) APPLICATION.—An application to establish a center must be submitted by February 1 of the year preceding the school year in which the center will begin operation. The sponsor must review the application using an evaluation instrument developed by the Department of Education and make a final decision on whether to approve the application and grant the charter by March 1, and may condition the granting of a charter on the center’s taking certain actions or maintaining certain conditions. Such actions and conditions must be provided to the applicant in writing. The district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees is not required to issue a charter to any person.
(6) SPONSOR.—A district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees or a consortium of one or more of each may sponsor a center in the county in which the board has jurisdiction.
(a) A sponsor must review all applications for centers received through at least February 1 of each calendar year for centers to be opened at the beginning of the sponsor’s next school year. A sponsor may receive applications later than this date if it so chooses. To facilitate an accurate budget projection process, a sponsor shall be held harmless for FTE students who are not included in the FTE projection due to approval of applications after the FTE projection deadline. A sponsor must, by a majority vote, approve or deny an application no later than 60 days after the application is received. If an application is denied, the sponsor must, within 10 days, notify the applicant in writing of the specific reasons for denial, which must be based upon good cause. Upon approval of a charter application, the initial startup must be consistent with the beginning of the public school or Florida College System institution calendar for the district in which the charter is granted, unless the sponsor allows a waiver of this provision for good cause.
(b) An applicant may appeal any denial of its application to the State Board of Education within 30 days after the sponsor’s denial and shall notify the sponsor of its appeal. Any response of the sponsor must be submitted to the state board within 30 days after notification of the appeal. The State Board of Education must, by majority vote, accept or reject the decision of the sponsor no later than 60 days after an appeal is filed, pursuant to State Board of Education rule. The State Board of Education may reject an appeal for failure to comply with procedural rules governing the appeals process, and the rejection must describe the submission errors. The appellant may have up to 15 days after notice of rejection to resubmit an appeal. An application for appeal submitted after a rejection is timely if the original appeal was filed within 30 days after the sponsor’s denial. The State Board of Education shall remand the application to the sponsor with a written recommendation that the sponsor approve or deny the application, consistent with the state board’s decision. The decision of the State Board of Education is not subject to the provisions of chapter 120.
(c) The sponsor must act upon the recommendation of the State Board of Education within 30 days after it is received, unless the sponsor determines by competent substantial evidence that approving the state board’s recommendation would be contrary to law or the best interests of the students or the community. The sponsor must notify the applicant in writing concerning the specific reasons for its failure to follow the state board’s recommendation. The sponsor’s action on the state board’s recommendation is a final action, subject to judicial review.
(d)1. The Department of Education shall offer or arrange for training and technical assistance to centers which must include developing and amending business plans, estimating and accounting for costs and income, complying with state and federal grant and student performance accountability reporting requirements, implementing good business practices, and identifying state and federal financial aid the center may be eligible to receive.
2. An applicant must participate in the training provided by the department after approval of its application but at least 30 days before the first day of classes at the center. The department may provide technical assistance to an applicant upon written request.
(e) The terms and conditions for the operation of a center must be agreed to by the sponsor and the applicant in a written contract. The sponsor may not impose unreasonable requirements that violate the intent of giving centers greater flexibility to meet educational goals. The applicant and sponsor must reach an agreement on the provisions of the contract or the application is deemed denied.
(f) The sponsor shall monitor and review the center’s progress toward charter goals and shall monitor the center’s revenues and expenditures. The sponsor shall perform the duties provided in s. 1002.345.
(7) LEGAL ENTITY.—A center must organize as a nonprofit organization and adopt a name and corporate seal. A center is a body corporate and politic, with all powers to implement its charter program. The center may:
(a) Be a private or a public employer.
(b) Sue and be sued, but only to the same extent and upon the same conditions that a public entity can be sued.
(c) Acquire real property by purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, or gift, to use as a center facility.
(d) Receive and disburse funds.
(e) Enter into contracts or leases for services, equipment, or supplies.
(f) Incur temporary debts in anticipation of the receipt of funds.
(g) Solicit and accept gifts or grants for career center purposes.
(h) Take any other action that is not inconsistent with this section and rules adopted under this section.
(8) ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.—A center must be open to all students as space is available and may not discriminate in admissions policies or practices on the basis of an individual’s physical disability or proficiency in English or on any other basis that would be unlawful if practiced by a public school or a Florida College System institution. A center may establish reasonable criteria by which to evaluate prospective students, which criteria must be outlined in the charter.
(9) FACILITIES.—A center may be located in any suitable location, including part of an existing public school or Florida College System institution building, space provided on a public worksite, or a public building. A center’s facilities must comply with the State Uniform Building Code for Public Educational Facilities Construction adopted pursuant to s. 1013.37, or with applicable state minimum building codes pursuant to chapter 553, and state minimum fire protection codes pursuant to s. 633.208, adopted by the authority in whose jurisdiction the facility is located. If K-12 public school funds are used for construction, the facility must remain on the local school district’s Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) school building inventory of the district school board and must revert to the district school board if the consortium dissolves and the program is discontinued. If Florida College System institution public school funds are used for construction, the facility must remain on the local Florida College System institution’s facilities inventory and must revert to the local Florida College System institution board of trustees if the consortium dissolves and the program is discontinued. The additional student capacity created by the addition of the center to the local school district’s FISH may not be calculated in the permanent student capacity for the purpose of determining need or eligibility for state capital outlay funds while the facility is used as a center. If the construction of the center is funded jointly by K-12 public school funds and Florida College System institution funds, the sponsoring entities must agree, before granting the charter, on the appropriate owner and terms of transfer of the facility if the charter is dissolved.
(10) EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES.—
(a) A center must operate pursuant to its charter and is exempt from all statutes of the Florida School Code except provisions pertaining to civil rights and to student health, safety, and welfare, or as otherwise required by law.
(b) A center must comply with the Florida Early Learning-20 Education Code with respect to providing services to students with disabilities.
(c) A center must comply with the antidiscrimination provisions in s. 1000.05 and the provisions in s. 1002.33(24) which relate to the employment of relatives.
(11) FUNDING.—
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a charter technical career center’s student membership enrollment must be calculated pursuant to this section.
(b) Each district school board and Florida College System institution that sponsors a charter technical career center shall pay directly to the center an amount stated in the charter. State funding shall be generated for the center for its student enrollment and program outcomes as provided in law. A center is eligible for funding from workforce education funds, the Florida Education Finance Program, and the Florida College System Program Fund, depending upon the programs conducted by the center.
(c) A center may receive other state and federal aid, grants, and revenue through the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees.
(d) A center may receive gifts and grants from private sources.
(e) A center may not levy taxes or issue bonds, but it may charge a student tuition fee consistent with authority granted in its charter and permitted by law.
(f) A center shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 218.39. A center shall provide a monthly financial statement to the sponsor. The monthly financial statement shall be in a form prescribed by the Department of Education.
(g) A center must define in the charter agreement the delivery system in which the instructional offering of educational services will be placed. The rules governing this delivery system must be applied to all of the center’s students and must authorize all other sponsoring educational systems to report required enrollment and student data based solely on the rules of the offering institution. Each sponsor shall earn full-time equivalent membership for each student for funding and reporting purposes.
(12) EMPLOYEES OF A CENTER.—
(a) A center may select its own employees.
(b) A center may contract for services with an individual, partnership, or a cooperative. Such persons contracted with are not public employees.
(c) If a center contracts with a public educational agency for services, the terms of employment must follow existing state law and rule and local policies and procedures.
(d) The employees of a center may bargain collectively, as a separate unit or as part of the existing district collective bargaining unit, as determined by the structure of the center.
(e) As a public employer, a center may participate in:
1. The Florida Retirement System upon application and approval as a “covered group” under s. 121.021(34). If a center participates in the Florida Retirement System, its employees are compulsory members of the Florida Retirement System.
2. The State Community College System Optional Retirement Program pursuant to s. 1012.875(2), if the charter is granted by a Florida College System institution that participates in the optional retirement program and meets the eligibility criteria of s. 121.051(2)(c).
(f) Teachers who are considered qualified by the career center are exempt from state certification requirements.
(g) A public school or Florida College System institution teacher or administrator may take a leave of absence to accept employment in a charter technical career center upon the approval of the school district or Florida College System institution.
(h) An employee who is on a leave of absence under this section may retain seniority accrued in that school district or Florida College System institution and may continue to be covered by the benefit programs of that district or Florida College System institution if the center and the district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees agree to this arrangement and its financing.
(13) BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORITY.—The board of directors of a center may decide matters relating to the operation of the school, including budgeting, curriculum, and operating procedures, subject to the center’s charter. The board of directors is responsible for performing the duties provided in s. 1002.345, including monitoring the corrective action plan. The board of directors must comply with s. 1002.33(26).
(14) ACCOUNTABILITY.—Each center must submit a report to the participating district school board or Florida College System institution board of trustees by August 1 of each year. The report must be in such form as the sponsor prescribes and must include:
(a) A discussion of progress made toward the achievement of the goals outlined in the center’s charter.
(b) A financial statement setting forth by appropriate categories the revenue and expenditures for the previous school year.
(15) TERMS OF THE CHARTER.—The term of an initial charter may not exceed 5 years. Thereafter, the sponsor may renew a charter for a period up to 5 years. The sponsor may refuse to renew a charter or may revoke a charter if the center has not fulfilled a condition imposed under the charter or if the center has violated any provision of the charter. The sponsor may place the center on probationary status to allow the implementation of a remedial plan, after which, if the plan is unsuccessful, the charter may be summarily revoked. The sponsor shall develop procedures and guidelines for the revocation and renewal of a center’s charter. The sponsor must give written notice of its intent not to renew the charter at least 12 months before the charter expires. If the sponsor revokes a charter before the scheduled expiration date, the sponsor must provide written notice to the governing board of the center at least 60 days before the date of termination, stating the grounds for the proposed revocation. The governing board of the center may request in writing an informal hearing before the sponsor within 14 days after receiving the notice of revocation. A revocation takes effect at the conclusion of a school year, unless the sponsor determines that earlier revocation is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of students. The sponsor shall monitor and review the center in its progress toward the goals established in the charter and shall monitor the revenues and expenditures of the center.
(16) TRANSPORTATION.—The center may provide transportation, pursuant to chapter 1006, through a contract with the district school board or the Florida College System institution board of trustees, a private provider, or parents of students. The center must ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students in grades K-12 residing within a reasonable distance of the facility.
(17) IMMUNITY.—For the purposes of tort liability, the governing body and employees of a center are governed by s. 768.28.
(18) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, relating to the implementation of charter technical career centers, including rules to implement a charter model application form and an evaluation instrument in accordance with this section.
1002.345 Determination of deteriorating financial conditions and financial emergencies for charter schools and charter technical career centers.—This section applies to charter schools operating pursuant to s. 1002.33 and to charter technical career centers operating pursuant to s. 1002.34.
(1) EXPEDITED REVIEW; REQUIREMENTS.—
(a) A charter school or a charter technical career center is subject to an expedited review by the sponsor if one of the following occurs:
1. Failure to provide for an audit required by s. 218.39.
2. Failure to comply with reporting requirements pursuant to s. 1002.33(9) or s. 1002.34(11)(f) or (14).
3. A deteriorating financial condition identified through an annual audit pursuant to s. 218.39(5), a monthly financial statement pursuant to s. 1002.33(9)(g) or s. 1002.34(11)(f), or a quarterly financial statement pursuant to s. 1002.331(2)(c). “Deteriorating financial condition” means a circumstance that significantly impairs the ability of a charter school or a charter technical career center to generate enough revenues to meet its expenditures without causing the occurrence of a condition described in s. 218.503(1).
4. Notification pursuant to s. 218.503(2) that one or more of the conditions specified in s. 218.503(1) have occurred or will occur if action is not taken to assist the charter school or charter technical career center.
(b) A sponsor shall notify the governing board and the Commissioner of Education within 7 business days after one or more of the conditions specified in paragraph (a) occur.
(c) The governing board and the sponsor shall develop a corrective action plan and file the plan with the Commissioner of Education within 30 business days after notification is received as provided in paragraph (b). If the governing board and the sponsor are unable to agree on a corrective action plan, the Commissioner of Education shall determine the components of the plan. The governing board shall implement such plan.
(d) The governing board shall include the corrective action plan and the status of its implementation in the annual progress report to the sponsor which is required pursuant to s. 1002.33(9)(k) or s. 1002.34(14).
(e) If the governing board fails to implement the corrective action plan within 1 year after one or more of the conditions specified in paragraph (a) occur, the State Board of Education shall prescribe any steps necessary for the charter school or the charter technical career center to comply with state requirements.
(f) The chair of the governing board shall annually appear before the State Board of Education and report on the implementation of the State Board of Education’s requirements referenced in paragraph (e).
(2) FINANCIAL EMERGENCY; REQUIREMENTS.—
(a)1. If a financial audit conducted by a certified public accountant in accordance with s. 218.39 reveals that one or more of the conditions in s. 218.503(1) have occurred or will occur if action is not taken to assist the charter school or charter technical career center, the auditor shall notify the governing board of the charter school or charter technical career center, as appropriate, the sponsor, and the Commissioner of Education within 7 business days after the finding is made.
2. If the charter school or charter technical career center is found to be in a state of financial emergency pursuant to s. 218.503(4), the charter school or charter technical career center shall file a financial recovery plan pursuant to s. 218.503 with the sponsor and the Commissioner of Education within 30 days after being notified by the Commissioner of Education that a financial recovery plan is needed.
(b) The governing board shall include the financial recovery plan and the status of its implementation in the annual progress report to the sponsor which is required under s. 1002.33(9)(k) or s. 1002.34(14).
(3) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 for developing financial recovery and corrective action plans, defining a deteriorating financial condition pursuant to subparagraph (1)(a)3., and establishing procedures for determining a deteriorating financial condition pursuant to subparagraph (1)(a)3. and s. 218.39(5). In adopting the rules, the State Board of Education may obtain technical assistance from the Auditor General.
(4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to charter schools, charter technical career centers, governing boards, and sponsors in developing financial recovery and corrective action plans.
(5) FAILURE TO CORRECT DEFICIENCIES.—The sponsor may decide not to renew or may terminate a charter if the charter school or charter technical career center fails to correct the deficiencies noted in the corrective action plan within 1 year after being notified of the deficiencies or exhibits one or more financial emergency conditions specified in s. 218.503 for 2 consecutive years. This subsection does not affect a sponsor’s authority to terminate or not renew a charter pursuant to s. 1002.33(8).
(1) The New World School of the Arts is created as a center of excellence for the performing and visual arts, to serve all of the State of Florida. The school shall offer a program of academic and artistic studies in the visual and performing arts which shall be available to talented high school and college students.
(2)(a) For purposes of governance, the New World School of the Arts is assigned to Miami Dade College, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and one or more universities designated by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, shall assign to the New World School of the Arts a university partner or partners. In this selection, the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall consider the accreditation status of the core programs. Florida International University, in its capacity as the provider of university services to Miami-Dade County, shall be a partner to serve the New World School of the Arts, upon meeting the accreditation criteria. The respective boards shall appoint members to an executive board for administration of the school. The executive board may include community members and shall reflect proportionately the participating institutions. Miami Dade College shall serve as fiscal agent for the school.
(b) The New World School of the Arts Foundation is created for the purpose of providing auxiliary financial support for the school’s programs, including, but not limited to, the promotion and sponsorship of special events and scholarships. Foundation membership shall be determined by the executive board.
(c) The school may affiliate with other public or private educational or arts institutions. The school shall serve as a professional school for all qualified students within appropriations and limitations established by the Legislature and the respective educational institutions.
(3) The school shall submit annually a formula-driven budget request to the commissioner and the Legislature. This formula shall be developed in consultation with the Department of Education and staff of the Legislature. However, the actual funding for the school shall be determined by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act.
(4) The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall utilize resources, programs, and faculty from the various state universities in planning and providing the curriculum and courses at the New World School of the Arts, drawing on program strengths at each state university.
1002.351 The Florida School for Competitive Academics.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Florida School for Competitive Academics. The school shall be located in Alachua County and is a state-supported public school for Florida residents in grades 6-12. The primary purpose of the school is to provide a rigorous academic curriculum, and the secondary purpose is to prepare students for regional, state, and national academic competitions in all areas of study, including, but not limited to, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The school may admit students in grades 6-12 beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.
(2) MISSION.—
(a) The mission of the Florida School for Competitive Academics is to provide students who meet selective admissions requirements an environment that will foster high academic engagement and advanced understanding of subject areas, develop productive work habits, build resiliency, connect students with industry leaders, and promote civic leadership.
(b) To assist in the recruitment of students, the Florida School for Competitive Academics must be included in the school choice online portal established under s. 1001.10(9). The portal must include information about the opportunity for parents to submit their child’s educational records to the Florida School for Competitive Academics for consideration for admission.
(3) BOARD OF TRUSTEES.—
(a)1. The Florida School for Competitive Academics shall be governed by a board of trustees composed of seven members appointed by the Governor to 4-year terms and confirmed by the Senate. For purposes of staggering terms, four members, including the chair as designated by the Governor, shall be appointed to 4-year terms beginning July 1, 2023, and three members shall be appointed to 2-year terms beginning July 1, 2023. After the initial 4-year term, the chair shall be elected by the board.
2. No more than one employee of the school may serve on the board of trustees as a member or as chair.
(b) Members of the board of trustees shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061.
(c) The board of trustees is a public agency entitled to sovereign immunity pursuant to s. 768.28, and board members are public officers who bear fiduciary responsibility for the Florida School for Competitive Academics.
(d) The board of trustees is a body corporate with all the powers of a body corporate and with such authority as is needed for the proper operation and improvement of the Florida School for Competitive Academics. Title to any gift, donation, or bequest received by the board of trustees must vest in the board of trustees. Title to all other property and other assets of the Florida School for Competitive Academics must vest in the State Board of Education, but the board of trustees has complete jurisdiction over the management of the school.
(e) The board of trustees has the full power and authority to:
1. Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement provisions of law relating to operation of the Florida School for Competitive Academics. Such rules must be submitted to the State Board of Education for approval or disapproval. After a rule is approved by the State Board of Education, the rule must be filed immediately with the Department of State. The board of trustees shall act at all times in conjunction with the rules of the State Board of Education.
2. Appoint a principal, administrators, teachers, and other employees.
3. Remove principals, administrators, teachers, and other employees at the board’s discretion.
4. Determine eligibility of students and procedures for admission.
5. Provide for the proper keeping of accounts and records and for budgeting of funds.
6. Receive gifts, donations, and bequests of money or property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, from any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity for the use and benefit of the school.
7. Recommend to the Legislature that the school become a residential public school.
8. Do and perform every other matter or thing requisite to the proper management, maintenance, support, and control of the school at the highest efficiency economically possible.
(f) The board of trustees shall:
1. Prepare and submit legislative budget requests for operations and fixed capital outlay, in accordance with chapter 216 and ss. 1011.56 and 1013.60, to the Department of Education for review and approval. The department must analyze the amount requested for fixed capital outlay to determine if the request is consistent with the school’s campus master plan, educational plant survey, and facilities master plan.
2. Approve and administer an annual operating budget in accordance with ss. 1011.56 and 1011.57.
3. Require all purchases to be in accordance with chapter 287 except for purchases made with funds received as gifts, donations, or bequests or funds raised by or belonging to student clubs or student organizations.
4. Administer and maintain personnel programs for all employees of the board of trustees and the Florida School for Competitive Academics, who shall be school employees, including the personnel.
5. Ensure that the Florida School for Competitive Academics complies with s. 1013.351 concerning the coordination of planning between the Florida School for Competitive Academics and local governing bodies.
6. Ensure that the Florida School for Competitive Academics complies with s. 112.061 concerning per diem and travel expenses.
7. Adopt a master plan that specifies the objectives of the Florida School for Competitive Academics. The plan must be for a period of 5 years and must be reviewed for needed modifications every 2 years. The board of trustees shall submit the initial plan and subsequent modifications to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4) STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE RECORDS.—The board of trustees shall provide for the content and custody of student and employee personnel records. Student records are subject to s. 1002.22. Employee records are subject to s. 1012.31.
(5) PERSONNEL.—
(a) The Florida School for Competitive Academics Board of Trustees shall require all employees and applicants for employment to undergo background screening as provided in s. 1012.32 as a condition of employment and continued employment. Members of the board of trustees must also undergo background screening in accordance with the relevant provisions of s. 1012.32. An individual may not be employed as an employee or contract personnel of the school or serve as a member of the board of trustees if the individual is on the disqualification list maintained by the department pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b).
(b) In accordance with law and rules of the State Board of Education, the board of trustees shall administer and maintain personnel programs for all employees of the board of trustees and the Florida School for Competitive Academics. The board of trustees may adopt rules, policies, and procedures related to the appointment, employment, and removal of personnel.
1. The board of trustees shall determine the compensation, including salaries and fringe benefits, and other conditions of employment for such personnel.
2. Classroom teachers employed by the school must be certified pursuant to chapter 1012.
3. Each person employed by the board of trustees in an academic, administrative, or instructional capacity with the Florida School for Competitive Academics is entitled to a contract as provided by rules of the board of trustees.
4. All employees, except temporary, seasonal, and student employees, may be provided Florida Retirement System benefits from the school through operational costs.
(6) FUNDING.—
(a) The Florida School for Competitive Academics shall receive state funds for operating purposes as provided in the General Appropriations Act.
(b) In addition to the funds provided in the General Appropriations Act, the Florida School for Competitive Academics may receive other funds from grants and donations.
(7) AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS.—The Auditor General shall conduct audits of the accounts and records of the Florida School for Competitive Academics as provided in s. 11.45. The Department of Education’s Inspector General is authorized to conduct investigations at the school as provided in s. 1001.20(4)(e).
(8) EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES.—
(a) The Florida School for Competitive Academics is exempt from all statutes in chapters 1000-1013. However, the Florida School for Competitive Academics shall be in compliance with the following statutes in chapters 1000-1013:
1. This section.
2. Those statutes pertaining to the student assessment program and school grading system.
3. Those statutes pertaining to the provision of services to students with disabilities.
4. Those statutes pertaining to civil rights, including, but not limited to, s. 1000.05, relating to discrimination.
5. Those statutes pertaining to student health, safety, and welfare.
(b) Additionally, the Florida School for Competitive Academics shall be in compliance with the following statutes:
1. Section 286.011, relating to public meetings and records, public inspection, and criminal and civil penalties.
2. Chapter 119, relating to public records.
3. Section 1006.12, relating to safe-school officers.
4. Section 1006.07(7), relating to threat management teams.
5. Section 1006.07(9), relating to school environmental safety incident reporting.
6. Section 1006.07(10), relating to reporting of involuntary examinations.
7. Section 1006.1493, relating to the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool.
8. Section 1006.07(6)(d), relating to adopting active assailant response plans.
9. Section 943.082(4)(b), relating to the mobile suspicious activity reporting tool.
10. Section 1012.584, relating to youth mental health awareness and assistance training.
11. Section 1003.4282, relating to requirements for a standard high school diploma.
12. Section 1003.03(1), relating to class size maximums.
13.a. Section 1011.61, relating to instructional hours requirements.
b. Notwithstanding sub-subparagraph a., the school may provide instruction that exceeds the minimum time requirements for the purposes of offering a summer program.
(c) For purposes of this subsection:
1. The duties assigned to a district school superintendent apply to the director of the Florida School for Competitive Academics.
2. The duties assigned to a district school board apply to the board of trustees.
1002.36 Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.—
(1) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, located in St. Johns County, is a state-supported residential public school for hearing-impaired and visually impaired students in preschool through 12th grade. The school is a component of the delivery of public education within Florida’s Early Learning-20 education system and shall be funded through the Department of Education. The school shall provide educational programs and support services appropriate to meet the education and related evaluation and counseling needs of hearing-impaired and visually impaired students in the state who meet enrollment criteria. Unless otherwise provided by law, the school shall comply with all laws and rules applicable to state agencies. Education services may be provided on an outreach basis for sensory-impaired children ages 0 through 5 years and to district school boards upon request. Graduates of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall be eligible for the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program as provided in s. 1009.89.
(2) MISSION.—The mission of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory-impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in a caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual.
(3) AUDITS.—The Auditor General shall conduct audits of the accounts and records of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind as provided in s. 11.45. The Department of Education’s Inspector General is authorized to conduct investigations at the school as provided in s. 1001.20(4)(e).
(4) BOARD OF TRUSTEES.—
(a) There is hereby created a Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind which shall consist of seven members. Of these seven members, one appointee shall be a blind person and one appointee shall be a deaf person. Each member shall have been a resident of the state for a period of at least 10 years. Their terms of office shall be 4 years. The appointment of the trustees shall be by the Governor with the confirmation of the Senate. The Governor may remove any member for cause and shall fill all vacancies that occur.
(b) The board of trustees shall elect a chair annually. The trustees shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061, the accounts of which shall be paid by the Chief Financial Officer upon itemized vouchers duly approved by the chair.
(c) The board of trustees has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement provisions of law relating to operation of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Such rules shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for approval or disapproval. After a rule is approved by the State Board of Education, the rule shall be filed immediately with the Department of State. The board of trustees shall act at all times in conjunction with the rules of the State Board of Education.
(d) The board of trustees is a body corporate and shall have a corporate seal. Unless otherwise provided by law, all actions of the board of trustees shall be consistent with all laws and rules applicable to state agencies. Title to any gift, donation, or bequest received by the board of trustees pursuant to subparagraph (e)11. shall vest in the board of trustees. Title to all other property and other assets of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall vest in the State Board of Education, but the board of trustees shall have complete jurisdiction over the management of the school.
(e) The board of trustees is invested with full power and authority to:
1. Appoint a president, faculty, teachers, and other employees and remove the same as in its judgment may be best and fix their compensation.
2. Procure professional services, such as medical, mental health, architectural, and engineering.
3. Procure legal services without the prior written approval of the Attorney General.
4. Determine eligibility of students and procedure for admission.
5. Provide for the students of the school necessary bedding, clothing, food, and medical attendance and such other things as may be proper for the health and comfort of the students without cost to their parents, except that the board of trustees may set tuition and other fees for nonresidents.
6. Provide for the proper keeping of accounts and records and for budgeting of funds.
7. Enter into contracts.
8. Sue and be sued.
9. Secure public liability insurance.
10. Do and perform every other matter or thing requisite to the proper management, maintenance, support, and control of the school at the highest efficiency economically possible, the board of trustees taking into consideration the purposes of the establishment.
11. Receive gifts, donations, and bequests of money or property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, from any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity. However, the board of trustees may not obligate the state to any expenditure or policy that is not specifically authorized by law. If the bill of sale, will, trust indenture, deed, or other legal conveyance specifies terms and conditions concerning the use of such money or property, the board of trustees shall observe such terms and conditions.
12. Deposit outside the State Treasury such moneys as are received as gifts, donations, or bequests and may disburse and expend such moneys, upon its own warrant, for the use and benefit of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and its students, as the board of trustees deems to be in the best interest of the school and its students. Such money or property does not constitute and may not be considered a part of any legislative appropriation.
13. Sell or convey by bill of sale, deed, or other legal instrument any property, real or personal, received as a gift, donation, or bequest, upon such terms and conditions as the board of trustees deems to be in the best interest of the school and its students.
14. Invest such moneys in securities enumerated under s. 215.47(1), (2)(c), (3), (4), and (10), and in The Common Fund, an Investment Management Fund exclusively for nonprofit educational institutions.
15. After receiving approval from the Administration Commission, exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in chapter 73 or chapter 74.
(f) The board of trustees shall:
1. Prepare and submit legislative budget requests for operations and fixed capital outlay, in accordance with chapter 216 and ss. 1011.56 and 1013.60, to the Department of Education for review and approval. The department must analyze the amount requested for fixed capital outlay to determine if the request is consistent with the school’s campus master plan, educational plant survey, and facilities master plan. Projections of facility space needs may exceed the norm space and occupant design criteria established in the State Requirements for Educational Facilities.
2. Approve and administer an annual operating budget in accordance with ss. 1011.56 and 1011.57.
3. Require all funds received other than gifts, donations, bequests, funds raised by or belonging to student clubs or student organizations, and funds held for specific students or in accounts for individual students to be deposited in the State Treasury and expended as authorized in the General Appropriations Act.
4. Require all purchases to be in accordance with the provisions of chapter 287 except for purchases made with funds received as gifts, donations, or bequests; funds raised by or belonging to student clubs or student organizations; or funds held for specific students or in accounts for individual students.
5. Administer and maintain personnel programs for all employees of the board of trustees and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind who shall be state employees, including the personnel classification and pay plan established in accordance with ss. 110.205(2)(d) and 216.251(2)(a)2. for academic and academic administrative personnel, the provisions of chapter 110, and the provisions of law that grant authority to the Department of Management Services over such programs for state employees.
6. Give preference in appointment and retention in positions of employment as provided within s. 295.07(1) and (2).
7. Ensure that the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind complies with s. 1013.351 concerning the coordination of planning between the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and local governing bodies.
8. Ensure that the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind complies with s. 112.061 concerning per diem and travel expenses of public officers, employees, and authorized persons with respect to all funds other than funds received as gifts, donations, or bequests; funds raised by or belonging to student clubs or student organizations; or funds held for specific students or in accounts for individual students.
9. Adopt a master plan which specifies the mission and objectives of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, procedures for systematically measuring the school’s progress toward meeting its objectives, analyzing changes in the student population, and modifying school programs and services to respond to such changes. The plan shall be for a period of 5 years and shall be reviewed for needed modifications every 2 years. The board of trustees shall submit the initial plan and subsequent modifications to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
10. Designate a portion of the school as “The Verle Allyn Pope Complex for the Deaf,” in tribute to the late Senator Verle Allyn Pope.
(5) STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL RECORDS.—The Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall provide for the content and custody of student and employee personnel records. Student records shall be subject to the provisions of s. 1002.22. Employee personnel records shall be subject to the provisions of s. 1012.31.
(6) LEGAL SERVICES.—The Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind may provide legal services for officers and employees of the board of trustees who are charged with civil or criminal actions arising out of and in the course of the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. The board of trustees may provide for reimbursement of reasonable expenses for legal services for officers and employees of said board of trustees who are charged with civil or criminal actions arising out of and in the course of the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities upon successful defense by the officer or employee. However, in any case in which the officer or employee pleads guilty or nolo contendere or is found guilty of any such action, the officer or employee shall reimburse the board of trustees for any legal services that the board of trustees may have supplied pursuant to this section. The board of trustees may also reimburse an officer or employee thereof for any judgment that may be entered against him or her in a civil action arising out of and in the course of the performance of his or her assigned duties and responsibilities. Each expenditure by the board of trustees for legal defense of an officer or employee, or for reimbursement pursuant to this section, shall be made at a public meeting with notice pursuant to s. 120.525(1). The providing of such legal services or reimbursement under the conditions described in this subsection is declared to be a school purpose for which school funds may be expended.
(7) PERSONNEL SCREENING.—
(a) The Board of Trustees of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall, because of the special trust or responsibility of employees of the school, require all employees and applicants for employment to undergo personnel screening and security background investigations as provided in chapter 435, using the level 2 standards for screening set forth in that chapter, as a condition of employment and continued employment. The cost of a personnel screening and security background investigation for an employee of the school shall be paid by the school. The cost of such a screening and investigation for an applicant for employment may be paid by the school.
(b) As a prerequisite for initial and continuing employment at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind:
1. The applicant or employee shall submit to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind a complete set of fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency or an employee of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind who is trained to take fingerprints. The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall submit the fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal processing.
2.a. The applicant or employee shall attest to the minimum standards for good moral character as contained in chapter 435, using the level 2 standards set forth in that chapter under penalty of perjury.
b. New personnel shall be on a probationary status pending a determination of compliance with such minimum standards for good moral character. This paragraph is in addition to any probationary status provided for by Florida law or Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind rules or collective bargaining contracts.
3. The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall review the record of the applicant or employee with respect to the crimes contained in s. 435.04 and shall notify the applicant or employee of its findings. When disposition information is missing on a criminal record, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant or employee, upon request of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, to obtain and supply within 30 days the missing disposition information to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Failure to supply missing information within 30 days or to show reasonable efforts to obtain such information shall result in automatic disqualification of an applicant and automatic termination of an employee.
4. After an initial personnel screening and security background investigation, written notification shall be given to the affected employee within a reasonable time prior to any subsequent screening and investigation.
(c) The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind may grant exemptions from disqualification as provided in s. 435.07.
(d) The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind may not use the criminal records, private investigator findings, or information reference checks obtained by the school pursuant to this section for any purpose other than determining if a person meets the minimum standards for good moral character for personnel employed by the school. The criminal records, private investigator findings, and information from reference checks obtained by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind for determining the moral character of employees of the school are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(e) It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person willfully, knowingly, or intentionally to:
1. Fail, by false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or other fraudulent means, to disclose in any application for voluntary or paid employment a material fact used in making a determination as to such person’s qualifications for a position of special trust.
2. Use the criminal records, private investigator findings, or information from reference checks obtained under this section or information obtained from such records or findings for purposes other than screening for employment or release such information or records to persons for purposes other than screening for employment.
(f) For the purpose of teacher certification, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall be considered a school district.
(g) For purposes of protecting the health, safety, or welfare of students, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is considered a school district and must, except as otherwise provided in this section, comply with ss. 1001.03, 1001.42, 1001.51, 1006.061, 1012.27, 1012.315, 1012.32, 1012.33, 1012.56, 1012.795, and 1012.796.
(8) CAMPUS POLICE.—
(a) The Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is permitted and empowered to employ police officers for the school, who must be designated Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind campus police.
(b) Each Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind campus police officer is a law enforcement officer of the state and a conservator of the peace who has the authority to arrest, in accordance with the laws of this state, any person for a violation of state law or applicable county or municipal ordinance if that violation occurs on or in any property or facilities of the school. A campus police officer may also arrest a person off campus for a violation committed on campus after a hot pursuit of that person which began on campus. A campus police officer shall have full authority to bear arms in the performance of the officer’s duties and carry out a search pursuant to a search warrant on the campus. Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind campus police, upon request of the sheriff or local police authority, may serve subpoenas or other legal process and may make arrests of persons against whom arrest warrants have been issued or against whom charges have been made for violations of federal or state laws or county or municipal ordinances. Campus police officers shall have authority to enforce traffic laws within the boundaries of the campus in accordance with s. 316.640.
(c) The campus police shall promptly deliver all persons arrested and charged with felonies to the sheriff of the county within which the school is located and all persons arrested and charged with misdemeanors to the applicable authority as provided by law, but otherwise to the sheriff of the county in which the school is located.
(d) The campus police must meet the minimum standards established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission of the Department of Law Enforcement and chapter 943 for law enforcement officers. Each campus police officer must, before entering into the performance of the officer’s duties, take the oath of office established by the board of trustees. The board of trustees must provide a uniform set of identifying credentials to each campus police officer it employs.
(e) In performance of any of the powers, duties, and functions authorized by law, campus police have the same rights, protections, and immunities afforded other law enforcement officers.
(f) The board of trustees shall adopt rules, including, without limitation, rules for the appointment, employment, and removal of campus police in accordance with the State Career Service System and shall establish in writing a policy manual, that includes, without limitation, procedures for managing routine law enforcement situations and emergency law enforcement situations. The board of trustees shall furnish a copy of the policy manual to each of the campus police officers it employs. A campus police officer appointed by the board of trustees must have completed the training required by the school in the special needs and proper procedures for dealing with students served by the school.
(9) REPORT OF CAMPUS CRIME STATISTICS.—
(a) The school shall prepare an annual report of statistics of crimes committed on its campus and shall submit the report to the board of trustees and the Commissioner of Education. The data for these reports may be taken from the annual report of the Department of Law Enforcement. The board of trustees shall prescribe the form for submission of these reports.
(b) The school shall prepare annually a report of statistics of crimes committed on its campus for the preceding 3 years. The school shall give students and prospective students notice that this report is available upon request.
(1)(a) The Florida Virtual School is established for the development and delivery of online and distance learning education. The Commissioner of Education shall monitor the school’s performance and report its performance to the State Board of Education and the Legislature.
(b) The mission of the Florida Virtual School is to provide students with technology-based educational opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. The school shall serve any student in the state who meets the profile for success in this educational delivery context and shall give priority to:
1. Students who need expanded access to courses in order to meet their educational goals, such as home education students and students in inner-city and rural high schools who do not have access to higher-level courses.
2. Students seeking accelerated access in order to obtain a high school diploma at least one semester early.
3. Students who are children of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is not stationed in this state whose home of record or state of legal residence is Florida.
(c) To ensure students are informed of the opportunities offered by the Florida Virtual School, the commissioner shall provide the board of trustees of the Florida Virtual School access to the records of public school students in a format prescribed by the board of trustees.
The board of trustees of the Florida Virtual School shall identify appropriate performance measures and standards based on student achievement that reflect the school’s statutory mission and priorities, and shall implement an accountability system for the school that includes assessment of its effectiveness and efficiency in providing quality services that encourage high student achievement, seamless articulation, and maximum access.
(2) The Florida Virtual School shall be governed by a board of trustees comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor to 4-year staggered terms. The board of trustees shall be a public agency entitled to sovereign immunity pursuant to s. 768.28, and board members shall be public officers who shall bear fiduciary responsibility for the Florida Virtual School. The board of trustees shall have the following powers and duties:
(a)1. The board of trustees shall meet at least 4 times each year, upon the call of the chair, or at the request of a majority of the membership.
2. The fiscal year for the Florida Virtual School shall be the state fiscal year as provided in s. 216.011(1)(q).
(b) The board of trustees shall be responsible for the Florida Virtual School’s development of a state-of-the-art technology-based education delivery system that is cost-effective, educationally sound, marketable, and capable of sustaining a self-sufficient delivery system through the Florida Education Finance Program.
(c) The board of trustees shall aggressively seek avenues to generate revenue to support its future endeavors, and shall enter into agreements with distance learning providers. The board of trustees may acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents, copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses and other rights or interests thereunder or therein. Ownership of all such patents, copyrights, trademarks, licenses, and rights or interests thereunder or therein shall vest in the state, with the board of trustees having full right of use and full right to retain the revenues derived therefrom. Any funds realized from patents, copyrights, trademarks, or licenses shall be considered internal funds as provided in s. 1011.07. Such funds shall be used to support the school’s marketing and research and development activities in order to improve courseware and services to its students.
(d) The board of trustees shall be responsible for the administration and control of all local school funds derived from all activities or sources and shall prescribe the principles and procedures to be followed in administering these funds.
(e) The Florida Virtual School may accrue supplemental revenue from supplemental support organizations, which include, but are not limited to, alumni associations, foundations, parent-teacher associations, and booster associations. The governing body of each supplemental support organization shall recommend the expenditure of moneys collected by the organization for the benefit of the school. Such expenditures shall be contingent upon the review of the executive director. The executive director may override any proposed expenditure of the organization that would violate Florida law or breach sound educational management.
(f) In accordance with law and rules of the State Board of Education, the board of trustees shall administer and maintain personnel programs for all employees of the board of trustees and the Florida Virtual School. The board of trustees may adopt rules, policies, and procedures related to the appointment, employment, and removal of personnel.
1. The board of trustees shall determine the compensation, including salaries and fringe benefits, and other conditions of employment for such personnel.
2. The board of trustees may establish and maintain a personnel loan or exchange program by which persons employed by the board of trustees for the Florida Virtual School as academic administrative and instructional staff may be loaned to, or exchanged with persons employed in like capacities by, public agencies either within or without this state, or by private industry. With respect to public agency employees, the program authorized by this subparagraph shall be consistent with the requirements of part II of chapter 112. The salary and benefits of board of trustees personnel participating in the loan or exchange program shall be continued during the period of time they participate in a loan or exchange program, and such personnel shall be deemed to have no break in creditable or continuous service or employment during such time. The salary and benefits of persons participating in the personnel loan or exchange program who are employed by public agencies or private industry shall be paid by the originating employers of those participants, and such personnel shall be deemed to have no break in creditable or continuous service or employment during such time.
3. The employment of all Florida Virtual School academic administrative and instructional personnel shall be subject to rejection for cause by the board of trustees, and shall be subject to policies of the board of trustees relative to certification, tenure, leaves of absence, sabbaticals, remuneration, and such other conditions of employment as the board of trustees deems necessary and proper, not inconsistent with law.
4. Each person employed by the board of trustees in an academic administrative or instructional capacity with the Florida Virtual School shall be entitled to a contract as provided by rules of the board of trustees.
5. All employees except temporary, seasonal, and student employees may be state employees for the purpose of being eligible to participate in the Florida Retirement System and receive benefits. The classification and pay plan, including terminal leave and other benefits, and any amendments thereto, shall be subject to review and approval by the Department of Management Services and the Executive Office of the Governor prior to adoption.
(g) The board of trustees shall establish priorities for admission of students in accordance with paragraph (1)(b).
(h) The board of trustees shall establish and distribute to all school districts and high schools in the state procedures for enrollment of students in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School.
(i) The board of trustees shall establish criteria defining the elements of an approved franchise. The board of trustees may enter into franchise agreements with Florida district school boards and may establish the terms and conditions governing such agreements. The board of trustees shall establish the performance and accountability measures and report the performance of each school district franchise to the Commissioner of Education.
(j) The board of trustees shall submit to the State Board of Education both forecasted and actual enrollments and credit completions for the Florida Virtual School, according to procedures established by the State Board of Education. At a minimum, such procedures must include the number of public, private, and home education students served by program and by county of residence.
(k) The board of trustees shall provide for the content and custody of student and employee personnel records. Student records shall be subject to the provisions of s. 1002.22. Employee records shall be subject to the provisions of s. 1012.31.
(l) The financial records and accounts of the Florida Virtual School shall be maintained under the direction of the board of trustees and under rules adopted by the State Board of Education for the uniform system of financial records and accounts for the schools of the state.
The Governor shall designate the initial chair of the board of trustees to serve a term of 4 years. Members of the board of trustees shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. The board of trustees shall be a body corporate with all the powers of a body corporate and such authority as is needed for the proper operation and improvement of the Florida Virtual School. The board of trustees is specifically authorized to adopt rules, policies, and procedures, consistent with law and rules of the State Board of Education related to governance, personnel, budget and finance, administration, programs, curriculum and instruction, travel and purchasing, technology, students, contracts and grants, and property as necessary for optimal, efficient operation of the Florida Virtual School. Tangible personal property owned by the board of trustees shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 273.
(3) Funding for the Florida Virtual School shall be provided as follows:
(a)1. The calculation of “full-time equivalent student” shall be as prescribed in s. 1011.61(1)(c)1.b.(V) and is subject to s. 1011.61(4).
2. For a student in a home education program, funding shall be provided in accordance with this subsection upon course completion if the parent verifies, upon enrollment for each course, that the student is registered with the school district as a home education student pursuant to s. 1002.41(1)(a).
(b) Full-time equivalent student credit completed through the Florida Virtual School, including credits completed during the summer, shall be reported to the Department of Education in the manner prescribed by the department and shall be funded through the Florida Education Finance Program.
(c) School districts may not limit student access to courses offered through the Florida Virtual School.
(d) Full-time equivalent student credit completion for courses offered through the Florida Virtual School shall be reported only by the Florida Virtual School. School districts shall report full-time equivalent student membership only for courses for which the district provides the instruction. Courses delivered by the Florida Virtual School on a public school campus shall be reported only by the school district in which the student is enrolled.
(e) The comparable wage factor as provided in s. 1011.62(2) shall be established as 1.000.
(f) The Florida Virtual School shall receive state funds for operating purposes as provided in the General Appropriations Act. The calculation to determine the amount of state funds includes: the sum of the basic amount for current operations established in s. 1011.62(1)(s), the discretionary millage compression supplement established in s. 1011.62(5), the state-funded discretionary contribution established in s. 1011.62(6), a per-full-time equivalent share of the exceptional student education guaranteed allocation established in s. 1011.62(8), and the mental health assistance allocation established in s. 1011.62(13).
(g) In addition to the funds provided in the General Appropriations Act, the Florida Virtual School may receive other funds from grants and donations.
(4) School districts operating a virtual school that is an approved franchise of the Florida Virtual School may count full-time equivalent students, as provided in paragraph (3)(a), if such school has been certified as an approved franchise by the Commissioner of Education based on criteria established by the board of trustees pursuant to paragraph (2)(i).
(5) Under no circumstance may the credit of the state be pledged on behalf of the Florida Virtual School.
(6) The Florida Virtual School shall have an annual financial audit of its accounts and records conducted by an independent auditor who is a certified public accountant licensed under chapter 473. The independent auditor shall conduct the audit in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General pursuant to s. 11.45 and, upon completion of the audit, shall prepare an audit report in accordance with such rules. The audit report must include a written statement by the board of trustees describing corrective action to be taken in response to each of the independent auditor’s recommendations included in the audit report. The independent auditor shall submit the audit report to the board of trustees and the Auditor General no later than 9 months after the end of the preceding fiscal year.
(7) The board of trustees shall annually submit to the Governor, the Legislature, the Commissioner of Education, and the State Board of Education the audit report prepared pursuant to subsection (6) and a complete and detailed report setting forth:
(a) The operations and accomplishments of the Florida Virtual School within the state and those occurring outside the state as Florida Virtual School Global.
(b) The marketing and operational plan for the Florida Virtual School and Florida Virtual School Global, including recommendations regarding methods for improving the delivery of education through the Internet and other distance learning technology.
(c) The assets and liabilities of the Florida Virtual School and Florida Virtual School Global at the end of the fiscal year.
(d) Recommendations regarding the unit cost of providing services to students through the Florida Virtual School and Florida Virtual School Global. In order to most effectively develop public policy regarding any future funding of the Florida Virtual School, it is imperative that the cost of the program is accurately identified. The identified cost of the program must be based on reliable data.
(e) Recommendations regarding an accountability mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the services provided by the Florida Virtual School and Florida Virtual School Global.
(8) The State Board of Education may adopt rules it deems necessary to implement reporting requirements for the Florida Virtual School.
(9)(a) The Florida Virtual School may provide full-time and part-time instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
(b) For students receiving part-time instruction in kindergarten through grade 5 and students receiving full-time instruction in kindergarten through grade 12 from the Florida Virtual School, the full-time equivalent student enrollment calculated under this subsection is subject to the requirements in s. 1011.61(4).
(10)(a) Public school students receiving full-time instruction in kindergarten through grade 12 by the Florida Virtual School must take all statewide assessments required pursuant to s. 1008.22 and participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system under s. 1008.25(9).
(b) Public school students receiving part-time instruction by the Florida Virtual School in courses requiring statewide end-of-course assessments must take all statewide end-of-course assessments required pursuant to s. 1008.22.
(c) Industry certification examinations, national assessments, and statewide assessments offered by the school district shall be available to all Florida Virtual School students.
(d) Unless an alternative testing site is mutually agreed to by the Florida Virtual School and the school district or as contracted under s. 1008.24, all industry certification examinations, national assessments, progress monitoring under s. 1008.25(9), and statewide assessments must be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance areas. A school district must provide the student with access to the school’s testing facilities and the date and time of the administration of progress monitoring and each examination or assessment.
(11) The Florida Virtual School shall receive a school grade pursuant to s. 1008.34 for students receiving full-time instruction.
(1) FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The purpose of this section is to provide enhanced opportunity for students in this state to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for postsecondary education, a career education, or the world of work. The Legislature recognizes that the voters of the State of Florida, in the November 1998 general election, amended s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution so as to make education a paramount duty of the state. The Legislature finds that the State Constitution requires the state to provide a uniform, safe, secure, efficient, and high-quality system which allows the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. The Legislature further finds that a student should not be compelled, against the wishes of the student’s parent, to remain in a school found by the state to be failing. The Legislature shall make available opportunity scholarships in order to give parents the opportunity for their children to attend a public school that is performing satisfactorily.
(2) OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—
(a) A public school student’s parent may request and receive an opportunity scholarship for the student to enroll in and attend a public school in accordance with the provisions of this section if:
1. By assigned school attendance area or by special assignment, the student has spent the prior school year in attendance at a public school that has earned a grade of “F” or three consecutive grades of “D” pursuant to s. 1008.34 and the student’s attendance occurred during a school year in which such designation was in effect;
2. The student has been in attendance elsewhere in the public school system and has been assigned to such school for the next school year; or
3. The student has been notified that he or she has been assigned to such school for the next school year.
(b) This section does not apply to a student who is enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice commitment programs. For purposes of continuity of educational choice, the opportunity scholarship shall remain in force until the student graduates from high school.
(3) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.—
(a) A school district shall, for each student enrolled in or assigned to a school that has been designated as provided in subsection (2):
1. Timely notify the parent of the student as soon as such designation is made of all options available pursuant to this section.
2. Offer that student’s parent an opportunity to enroll the student in a public school within the district that has been designated by the state as a school performing higher than that in which the student is currently enrolled or to which the student has been assigned, but not less than performance grade category “C.” The student shall have the opportunity to continue attendance in the higher-performing public school feeder pattern until the student graduates from high school.
(b) The parent of a student enrolled in or assigned to a school that has been designated as provided in subsection (2) may choose as an alternative to subparagraph (a)2. to enroll the student in and transport the student to a higher-performing public school that has available space in any other school district in the state, and that school district shall accept the student and report the student for purposes of the district’s funding pursuant to the Florida Education Finance Program.
(c) For students in the school district who are participating in the state Opportunity Scholarship Program, the school district shall provide locations and times to take all statewide assessments required pursuant to s. 1008.22.
(d) Students with disabilities who are eligible to receive services from the school district under federal or state law, and who participate in this program, remain eligible to receive services from the school district as provided by federal or state law.
(e) If the parent chooses to request that the student be enrolled in a higher-performing public school in the school district, transportation costs to the higher-performing public school shall be the responsibility of the school district. The district may utilize state categorical transportation funds or state-appropriated public school choice incentive funds for this purpose.
(4) RULES.—The State Board of Education may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section. Rules shall include penalties for noncompliance.
1002.391 Auditory-oral education programs; Bridge to Speech Program.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Auditory-oral education program” means a program that develops and relies solely on listening skills and uses an implant or assistive hearing device for the purpose of relying on speech and spoken language skills as the method of communication and uses faculty and supervisors certified as listening and spoken language specialists each day the child is in attendance.
(b) “Deaf or hard of hearing” means aided or unaided hearing loss that affects the processing of linguistic information and adversely affects performance in the educational environment. The degree of loss may range from mild to profound in accordance with criteria established by rule of the State Board of Education.
(c) “School” means a public or private school located in this state which can teach children who have obtained an implant or assistive hearing device, using faculty certified as listening and spoken language specialists.
(2) The parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing and who meets the following requirements may enroll the child in an auditory-oral education program as a school of choice pursuant to s. 1002.20. Such child may continue attending the school and complete the development of listening and spoken language skills at the school. In order to enroll and attend, the child must:
(a) Have received an implant or assistive hearing device;
(b) Be between the ages of 3 and 7 years, or between the ages of 2 and 7 years when the school district elects to serve children with disabilities who are under the age of 3 years; and
(c) Be a resident of the state.
(3) The level of services shall be determined by the individual educational plan team or individualized family support plan team, which includes the child’s parent in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education and a certified listening and spoken language specialist from the family’s chosen program. A child is eligible for services under this section until the end of the school year in which he or she reaches the age of 7 years or after grade 2, whichever comes first.
(4) Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, a school district shall add four special consideration points to the calculation of a matrix of services for a student who is deaf and enrolled in an auditory-oral education program.
(5) As authorized by and consistent with funding appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, the Bridge to Speech Program is created to fund auditory-oral education programs required at schools pursuant to this section. Funds shall be provided at the level of the published tuition rates up to the funds available as provided in the General Appropriations Act. The Department of Education must award these funds to eligible recipients no later than September 1 of each year, with subsequent payments monthly thereafter.
1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.—
(1) PURPOSE.—The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is established to provide children of families in this state which have limited financial resources with educational options to achieve success in their education.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Approved provider” means a provider approved by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, a health care practitioner as defined in s. 456.001, or a provider approved by the department pursuant to s. 1002.66.
(b) “Choice navigator” has the same meaning as in s. 1002.395(2).
(c) “Curriculum” means a complete course of study for a particular content area or grade level, including any required supplemental materials and associated online instruction.
(d) “Department” means the Department of Education.
(e) “Disability” means, for a 3- or 4-year-old child or for a student in kindergarten to grade 12, autism spectrum disorder, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association; cerebral palsy, as defined in s. 393.063; Down syndrome, as defined in s. 393.063; an intellectual disability, as defined in s. 393.063; a speech impairment; a language impairment; an orthopedic impairment; any other health impairment; an emotional or a behavioral disability; a specific learning disability, including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia; Phelan-McDermid syndrome, as defined in s. 393.063; Prader-Willi syndrome, as defined in s. 393.063; spina bifida, as defined in s. 393.063; being a high-risk child, as defined in s. 393.063(22)(a); muscular dystrophy; Williams syndrome; rare diseases which affect patient populations of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, as defined by the National Organization for Rare Disorders; anaphylaxis; a hearing impairment, including deafness; a visual impairment, including blindness; traumatic brain injury; hospital or homebound; or identification as dual sensory impaired, as defined by rules of the State Board of Education and evidenced by reports from local school districts. The term “hospital or homebound” includes a student who has a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition or illness, as defined by the state board in rule, and who is confined to the home or hospital for more than 6 months.
(f) “Eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization” or “organization” has the same meaning as in s. 1002.395(2).
(g) “Eligible postsecondary educational institution” means a Florida College System institution; a state university; a school district technical center; a school district adult general education center; an independent college or university that is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program under s. 1009.89; or an accredited independent postsecondary educational institution, as defined in s. 1005.02, which is licensed to operate in this state under part III of chapter 1005 or is approved to participate in a reciprocity agreement as defined in s. 1000.35(2).
(h) “Eligible private school” has the same meaning as in s. 1002.395(2).
(i) “IEP” means an individual education plan, regardless of whether the plan has been reviewed or revised within the last 12 months.
(j) “Inactive” means that no eligible expenditures have been made from an account funded pursuant to paragraph (12)(b).
(k) “Job coach” means an individual employed to help people with disabilities learn, accommodate to, and perform their work duties.
(l) “Law enforcement officer” has the same meaning as provided in s. 943.10(1).
(m) “Parent” means a resident of this state who is a parent, as defined in s. 1000.21.
(n) “Program” means the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
(3) SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—
(a)1. A parent of a student may apply for and receive from the state a scholarship for the purposes specified in paragraph (4)(a) if the student:
a. Is a resident of this state or the dependent child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who has received permanent change of station orders to this state; and
b. Is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in this state or received a scholarship under the Hope Scholarship Program in the 2023-2024 school year.
2. Priority must be given in the following order:
a. A student whose household income level does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level or who is in foster care or out-of-home care.
b. A student whose household income level exceeds 185 percent of the federal poverty level, but does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty level.
(b) A parent of a student with a disability may apply for and receive from the state a scholarship for the purposes specified in paragraph (4)(b) if the student:
1. Is a resident of this state or the dependent child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who has received permanent change of station orders to this state or, at the time of renewal, whose home of record or state of legal residence is Florida;
2. Is 3 or 4 years of age during the year in which the student applies for program participation or is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in this state;
3. Has a disability as defined in subsection (2); and
4. Is the subject of an IEP written in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education or with the applicable rules of another state or has received a diagnosis of a disability from a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, a psychologist who is licensed under chapter 490, or a physician who holds an active license issued by another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(4) AUTHORIZED USES OF PROGRAM FUNDS.—
(a) Program funds awarded to a student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) may be used for:
1. Tuition and fees at an eligible private school.
2. Instructional materials, including digital materials and Internet resources.
3. Curriculum as defined in subsection (2).
4. Tuition and fees associated with full-time or part-time enrollment in an eligible postsecondary educational institution or a program offered by the postsecondary educational institution, unless the program is subject to s. 1009.25 or reimbursed pursuant to s. 1009.30; an approved preapprenticeship program as defined in s. 446.021(5) which is not subject to s. 1009.25 and complies with all applicable requirements of the department pursuant to chapter 1005; a private tutoring program authorized under s. 1002.43; a virtual program offered by a department-approved private online provider that meets the provider qualifications specified in s. 1002.45(2)(a); the Florida Virtual School as a private paying student; or an approved online course offered pursuant to s. 1003.499 or s. 1004.0961.
5. Fees for nationally standardized, norm-referenced achievement tests, Advanced Placement Examinations, industry certification examinations, assessments related to postsecondary education, or other assessments.
6. Contracted services provided by a public school or school district, including classes. A student who receives contracted services under this subparagraph is not considered enrolled in a public school for eligibility purposes as specified in subsection (6) but rather attending a public school on a part-time basis as authorized under s. 1002.44.
7. Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services or fees for services provided by a choice navigator. Such services must be provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate pursuant to s. 1012.56, a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.57, a person who has a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in the subject area in which instruction is given, a person who has demonstrated a mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to s. 1012.56(5), or a person certified by a nationally or internationally recognized research-based training program as approved by the department. As used in this subparagraph, the term “part-time tutoring services” does not qualify as regular school attendance as defined in s. 1003.01(16)(e).
(b) Program funds awarded to a student with a disability determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) may be used for the following purposes:
1. Instructional materials, including digital devices, digital periphery devices, and assistive technology devices that allow a student to access instruction or instructional content and training on the use of and maintenance agreements for these devices.
2. Curriculum as defined in subsection (2).
3. Specialized services by approved providers or by a hospital in this state which are selected by the parent. These specialized services may include, but are not limited to:
a. Applied behavior analysis services as provided in ss. 627.6686 and 641.31098.
b. Services provided by speech-language pathologists as defined in s. 468.1125(8).
c. Occupational therapy as defined in s. 468.203.
d. Services provided by physical therapists as defined in s. 486.021(8).
e. Services provided by listening and spoken language specialists and an appropriate acoustical environment for a child who has a hearing impairment, including deafness, and who has received an implant or assistive hearing device.
4. Tuition and fees associated with full-time or part-time enrollment in a home education program; an eligible private school; an eligible postsecondary educational institution or a program offered by the postsecondary educational institution, unless the program is subject to s. 1009.25 or reimbursed pursuant to s. 1009.30; an approved preapprenticeship program as defined in s. 446.021(5) which is not subject to s. 1009.25 and complies with all applicable requirements of the department pursuant to chapter 1005; a private tutoring program authorized under s. 1002.43; a virtual program offered by a department-approved private online provider that meets the provider qualifications specified in s. 1002.45(2)(a); the Florida Virtual School as a private paying student; or an approved online course offered pursuant to s. 1003.499 or s. 1004.0961.
5. Fees for nationally standardized, norm-referenced achievement tests, Advanced Placement Examinations, industry certification examinations, assessments related to postsecondary education, or other assessments.
6. Contributions to the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program pursuant to s. 1009.98 or the Florida College Savings Program pursuant to s. 1009.981 for the benefit of the eligible student.
7. Contracted services provided by a public school or school district, including classes. A student who receives services under a contract under this paragraph is not considered enrolled in a public school for eligibility purposes as specified in subsection (6) but rather attending a public school on a part-time basis as authorized under s. 1002.44.
8. Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services or fees for services provided by a choice navigator. Such services must be provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate pursuant to s. 1012.56, a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.57, a person who has a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in the subject area in which instruction is given, a person who has demonstrated a mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to s. 1012.56(5), or a person certified by a nationally or internationally recognized research-based training program as approved by the department. As used in this subparagraph, the term “part-time tutoring services” does not qualify as regular school attendance as defined in s. 1003.01(16)(e).
9. Fees for specialized summer education programs.
10. Fees for specialized after-school education programs.
11. Transition services provided by job coaches. Transition services are a coordinated set of activities which are focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of a student with a disability to facilitate the student’s movement from school to postschool activities and are based on the student’s needs.
12. Fees for an annual evaluation of educational progress by a state-certified teacher under s. 1002.41(1)(f), if this option is chosen for a home education student.
13. Tuition and fees associated with programs offered by Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program providers approved pursuant to s. 1002.55, school readiness providers approved pursuant to s. 1002.88, and prekindergarten programs offered by an eligible private school.
14. Fees for services provided at a center that is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
15. Fees for services provided by a therapist who is certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists or credentialed by the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.
(5) TERM OF SCHOLARSHIP.—For purposes of continuity of educational choice:
(a)1. A scholarship funded to an eligible student pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) shall remain in force until:
a. The organization determines that the student is not eligible for program renewal;
b. The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of funds;
c. The student’s parent has forfeited participation in the program for failure to comply with subsection (10);
d. The student, who uses the scholarship for tuition and fees pursuant to subparagraph (4)(a)1., enrolls in a public school. However, if a student enters a Department of Juvenile Justice detention center for a period of no more than 21 days, the student is not considered to have returned to a public school on a full-time basis for that purpose; or
e. The student graduates from high school or attains 21 years of age, whichever occurs first.
2.a. The student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds shall revert to the state after:
(I) Denial or revocation of program eligibility by the commissioner for fraud or abuse, including, but not limited to, the student or student’s parent accepting any payment, refund, or rebate, in any manner, from a provider of any services received pursuant to paragraph (4)(a);
(II) Two consecutive fiscal years in which an account has been inactive; or
(III) A student remains unenrolled in an eligible private school for 30 days while receiving a scholarship that requires full-time enrollment.
b. Reimbursements for program expenditures may continue until the account balance is expended or remaining funds have reverted to the state.
(b)1. A scholarship funded to an eligible student pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) shall remain in force until:
a. The parent does not renew program eligibility;
b. The organization determines that the student is not eligible for program renewal;
c. The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of funds;
d. The student’s parent has forfeited participation in the program for failure to comply with subsection (10);
e. The student enrolls full time in a public school; or
f. The student graduates from high school or attains 22 years of age, whichever occurs first.
2. Reimbursements for program expenditures may continue until the account balance is expended or the account is closed.
3. A student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds, including, but not limited to, contributions made to the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program or earnings from or contributions made to the Florida College Savings Program using program funds pursuant to subparagraph (4)(b)6., shall revert to the state after:
a. Denial or revocation of program eligibility by the commissioner for fraud or abuse, including, but not limited to, the student or student’s parent accepting any payment, refund, or rebate, in any manner, from a provider of any services received pursuant to subsection (4);
b. Any period of 3 consecutive years after high school completion or graduation during which the student has not been enrolled in an eligible postsecondary educational institution or a program offered by the institution; or
c. Two consecutive fiscal years in which an account has been inactive.
(c) Upon reasonable notice to the organization and the school district, the student’s parent may remove the student from the participating private school and place the student in a public school in accordance with this section.
(d) Upon reasonable notice to the organization, the student’s parent may move the student from one participating private school to another participating private school.
(6) SCHOLARSHIP PROHIBITIONS.—A student is not eligible for a Family Empowerment Scholarship while he or she is:
(a) Enrolled full time in a public school, including, but not limited to, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy, the Florida School for Competitive Academics, the Florida Virtual School, the Florida Scholars Academy, a developmental research school authorized under s. 1002.32, or a charter school authorized under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, a 3- or 4-year-old child who receives services funded through the Florida Education Finance Program is considered to be a student enrolled in a public school;
(b) Enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program;
(c) Receiving any other educational scholarship pursuant to this chapter. However, an eligible public school student receiving a scholarship under s. 1002.411 may receive a scholarship for transportation pursuant to 1subparagraph (4)(a)2.;
(d) Not having regular and direct contact with his or her private school teachers pursuant to s. 1002.421(1)(i), unless he or she is eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) and enrolled in the participating private school’s transition-to-work program pursuant to subsection (16) or a home education program pursuant to s. 1002.41;
(e) Participating in a private tutoring program pursuant to s. 1002.43 unless he or she is determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b); or
(f) Participating in virtual instruction pursuant to s. 1002.455 that receives state funding pursuant to the student’s participation.
(7) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.—
(a) By January 1 of each year, a school district shall inform all households within the district receiving free or reduced-priced meals under the National School Lunch Act of their eligibility to apply to the department for a Family Empowerment Scholarship. The form of such notice shall be provided by the department, and the school district shall include the provided form in any normal correspondence with eligible households. Such notice is limited to once a year.
(b)1. The parent of a student with a disability who does not have an IEP in accordance with subparagraph (3)(b)4. or who seeks a reevaluation of an existing IEP may request an IEP meeting and evaluation from the school district in order to obtain or revise a matrix of services. The school district shall notify a parent who has made a request for an IEP that the district is required to complete the IEP and matrix of services within 30 days after receiving notice of the parent’s request. The school district shall conduct a meeting and develop an IEP and a matrix of services within 30 days after receipt of the parent’s request in accordance with State Board of Education rules. The district must accept the diagnosis and consider the service plan of the licensed professional providing the diagnosis pursuant to subparagraph (3)(b)4. The school district must complete a matrix that assigns the student to one of the levels of service as they existed before the 2000-2001 school year. For a nonpublic school student without an IEP, the school district is authorized to use evaluation reports and plans of care developed by the licensed professionals under subparagraph (4)(b)3. to complete the matrix of services.
2.a. The school district must provide the student’s parent and the department with the student’s matrix level within 10 calendar days after its completion.
b. The department shall notify the parent and the organization of the amount of the funds awarded within 10 days after receiving the school district’s notification of the student’s matrix level.
c. A school district may change a matrix of services only if the change is a result of an IEP reevaluation or to correct a technical, typographical, or calculation error.
(c)1. Within 10 days after an IEP meeting is held, a school district shall notify the parent of a student of all options available pursuant to this section and offer that student’s parent an opportunity to enroll the student in another public school in the school district.
2. The parent is not required to accept the offer of enrolling the student in another public school in lieu of requesting a scholarship. However, if the parent chooses the public school option, the student may continue attending the public school chosen by the parent until the student graduates from high school.
3. The parent may choose another public school in the school district, and the school district shall provide transportation to the public school selected by the parent.
4. The parent may choose, as an alternative, to enroll the student in and transport the student to a public school in an adjacent school district that has available space and has a program with the services agreed to in the student’s IEP already in place, and that school district shall accept the student and report the student for purposes of the school district’s funding pursuant to the Florida Education Finance Program.
(d) Upon the request of the department, a school district shall coordinate with the department to provide to a participating private school the statewide assessments administered under s. 1008.22 and any related materials for administering the assessments. For a student who participates in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program whose parent requests that the student take the statewide assessments under s. 1008.22, the district in which the student attends a participating private school shall provide locations and times to take all statewide assessments. A school district is responsible for implementing test administrations at a participating private school, including the:
1. Provision of training for private school staff on test security and assessment administration procedures;
2. Distribution of testing materials to a private school;
3. Retrieval of testing materials from a private school;
4. Provision of the required format for a private school to submit information to the district for test administration and enrollment purposes; and
5. Provision of any required assistance, monitoring, or investigation at a private school.
(e) Each school district must publish information about the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program on the district’s website homepage. At a minimum, the published information must include a website link to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program published on the Department of Education website as well as a telephone number and e-mail that students and parents may use to contact relevant personnel in the school district to obtain information about the scholarship.
(8) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OBLIGATIONS.—
(a) The department shall:
1. Publish and update, as necessary, information on the department website about the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, including, but not limited to, student eligibility criteria, parental responsibilities, and relevant data.
2. Report, as part of the determination of full-time equivalent membership pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(a), all scholarship students funded through the Florida Education Finance Program, and cross-check the list of scholarship students submitted by the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization with the full-time equivalent student membership survey data to avoid duplication.
3. Maintain and annually publish a list of nationally norm-referenced tests identified for purposes of satisfying the testing requirement in subparagraph (9)(c)1. The tests must meet industry standards of quality in accordance with state board rule.
4. Notify eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations of the deadlines for submitting the verified list of eligible scholarship students.
5. Deny or terminate program participation upon a parent’s failure to comply with subsection (10).
6. Notify the parent and the organization when a scholarship account is closed and program funds revert to the state.
7. Notify an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization of any of the organization’s or other organization’s identified students who are receiving scholarships under this chapter.
8. Maintain on its website a list of approved providers as required by s. 1002.66, eligible postsecondary educational institutions, eligible private schools, and eligible organizations and may identify or provide links to lists of other approved providers.
9. Require each organization to verify eligible expenditures before the distribution of funds for any expenditures made pursuant to subparagraphs (4)(b)1. and 2. Review of expenditures made for services specified in subparagraphs (4)(b)3.-15. may be completed after the purchase is made.
10. Investigate any written complaint of a violation of this section by a parent, a student, a participating private school, a public school, a school district, an organization, a provider, or another appropriate party in accordance with the process established under s. 1002.421.
11. Require quarterly reports by an organization, which must include, at a minimum, the number of students participating in the program; the demographics of program participants; the disability category of program participants; the matrix level of services, if known; the program award amount per student; the total expenditures for the purposes specified in paragraph (4)(b); the types of providers of services to students; the number of scholarship applications received, the number of applications processed within 30 days after receipt, and the number of incomplete applications received; data related to reimbursement submissions, including the average number of days for a reimbursement to be reviewed and the average number of days for a reimbursement to be approved; any parent input and feedback collected regarding the program; and any other information deemed necessary by the department.
12. Notify eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations that scholarships may not be awarded in a school district in which the award will exceed 99 percent of the school district’s share of state funding through the Florida Education Finance Program as calculated by the department.
13. Adjust payments to eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations and, when the Florida Education Finance Program is recalculated, adjust the amount of state funds allocated to school districts through the Florida Education Finance Program based upon the results of the cross-check completed pursuant to subparagraph 2.
(b) At the direction of the Commissioner of Education, the department may:
1. Suspend or revoke program participation or use of program funds by the student or participation or eligibility of an organization, eligible postsecondary educational institution, approved provider, or other party for a violation of this section.
2. Determine the length of, and conditions for lifting, a suspension or revocation specified in this paragraph.
3. Recover unexpended program funds or withhold payment of an equal amount of program funds to recover program funds that were not authorized for use.
In determining whether to suspend or revoke participation or lift a suspension or revocation in accordance with this paragraph, the department may consider factors that include, but are not limited to, acts or omissions that led to a previous suspension or revocation of participation in a state or federal program or an education scholarship program; failure to reimburse the organization for funds improperly received or retained; failure to reimburse government funds improperly received or retained; imposition of a prior criminal sanction related to the person or entity or its officers or employees; imposition of a civil fine or administrative fine, license revocation or suspension, or program eligibility suspension, termination, or revocation related to a person’s or entity’s management or operation; or other types of criminal proceedings in which the person or entity or its officers or employees were found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any offense involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.
(c) The department shall notify each school district of the full-time equivalent student consensus estimate of students participating in the program developed pursuant to s. 216.136(4)(a).
(d) The department may provide guidance to a participating private school that submits a transition-to-work program plan pursuant to subsection (16).
(9) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—To be eligible to participate in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a private school may be sectarian or nonsectarian and must:
(a) Comply with all requirements for private schools participating in state school choice scholarship programs pursuant to s. 1002.421.
(b) Provide to the organization all documentation required for a student’s participation, including confirmation of the student’s admission to the private school, the private school’s and student’s fee schedules, and any other information required by the organization to process scholarship payment under 2subparagraph (12)(a)4. Such information must be provided by the deadlines established by the organization and in accordance with the requirements of this section. A student is not eligible to receive a quarterly scholarship payment if the private school fails to meet the deadline.
(c)1. Annually administer or make provision for students participating in the program in grades 3 through 10 to take one of the nationally norm-referenced tests that are identified by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(a) or to take the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22. Students with disabilities for whom the physician or psychologist who issued the diagnosis or the IEP team determines that standardized testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. A participating private school shall report a student’s scores to his or her parent. By August 15 of each year, a participating private school must report the scores of all participating students to a state university as described in s. 1002.395(9)(f).
2. Administer the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 if the private school chooses to offer the statewide assessments. A participating private school may choose to offer and administer the statewide assessments to all students who attend the private school in grades 3 through 10 and must submit a request in writing to the department by March 1 of each year in order to administer the statewide assessments in the subsequent school year.
(d) For a student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b), discuss the school’s academic programs and policies, specialized services, code of conduct, and attendance policies before enrollment with the parent to determine which programs and services may meet the student’s individual needs.
If a private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection or s. 1002.421, the commissioner may determine that the private school is ineligible to participate in the scholarship program.
(10) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.—
(a) A parent who applies for a scholarship under paragraph (3)(a) whose student will be enrolled full time in an eligible private school must:
1. Select an eligible private school and apply for the admission of his or her student.
2. Request the scholarship by the date established by the organization in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request.
3.a. Beginning with new applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by December 15 that the scholarship is being accepted or declined.
b. Beginning with renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by May 31 that the scholarship is being renewed or declined.
4. Inform the applicable school district when the parent withdraws his or her student from a public school to attend an eligible private school.
5. Require his or her student participating in the program to remain in attendance at the eligible private school throughout the school year unless excused by the school for illness or other good cause.
6. Meet with the eligible private school’s principal or the principal’s designee to review the school’s academic programs and policies, specialized services, code of student conduct, and attendance policies before enrollment.
7. Require his or her student participating in the program to take the norm-referenced assessment offered by the eligible private school. The parent may also choose to have the student participate in the statewide assessments pursuant to paragraph (7)(d). If the parent requests that the student participating in the program take all statewide assessments required pursuant to s. 1008.22, the parent is responsible for transporting the student to the assessment site designated by the school district.
8. Approve each payment before the scholarship funds may be deposited by funds transfer pursuant to subparagraph (12)(a)3. The parent may not designate any entity or individual associated with the participating private school as the parent’s attorney in fact to approve a funds transfer. A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph forfeits the scholarship.
9. Agree to have the organization commit scholarship funds on behalf of his or her student for tuition and fees for which the parent is responsible for payment at the eligible private school before using scholarship account funds for additional authorized uses under paragraph (4)(a). A parent is responsible for all eligible expenses in excess of the amount of the scholarship.
10. Comply with the scholarship application and renewal processes and requirements established by the organization.
(b) A parent who applies for a scholarship under paragraph (3)(b) is exercising his or her parental option to determine the appropriate placement or the services that best meet the needs of his or her child and must:
1. Apply to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to participate in the program by a date set by the organization. The request must be communicated directly to the organization in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request.
2.a. Beginning with new applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by December 15 that the scholarship is being accepted or declined.
b. Beginning with renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by May 31 that the scholarship is being renewed or declined.
3. Sign an agreement with the organization and annually submit a sworn compliance statement to the organization to satisfy or maintain program eligibility, including eligibility to receive and spend program payments by:
a. Affirming that the student is enrolled in a program that meets regular school attendance requirements as provided in s. 1003.01(16)(b), (c), or (d).
b. Affirming that the program funds are used only for authorized purposes serving the student’s educational needs, as described in paragraph (4)(b); that any prepaid college plan or college savings plan funds contributed pursuant to subparagraph (4)(b)6. will not be transferred to another beneficiary while the plan contains funds contributed pursuant to this section; and that they will not receive a payment, refund, or rebate of any funds provided under this section.
c. Affirming that the parent is responsible for all eligible expenses in excess of the amount of the scholarship and for the education of his or her student by, as applicable:
(I) Requiring the student to take an assessment in accordance with paragraph (9)(c);
(II) Providing an annual evaluation in accordance with s. 1002.41(1)(f); or
(III) Requiring the child to take any preassessments and postassessments selected by the provider if the child is 4 years of age and is enrolled in a program provided by an eligible Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider. A student with disabilities for whom the physician or psychologist who issued the diagnosis or the IEP team determines that a preassessment and postassessment is not appropriate is exempt from this requirement. A participating provider shall report a student’s scores to the parent.
d. Affirming that the student remains in good standing with the provider or school if those options are selected by the parent.
e. Enrolling his or her child in a program from a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider authorized under s. 1002.55, a school readiness provider authorized under s. 1002.88, a prekindergarten program offered by an eligible private school, or an eligible private school if selected by the parent.
f. Comply with the scholarship application and renewal processes and requirements established by the organization. A student whose participation in the program is not renewed may continue to spend scholarship funds that are in his or her account from prior years unless the account must be closed pursuant to subparagraph (5)(b)3. Notwithstanding any changes to the student’s IEP, a student who was previously eligible for participation in the program shall remain eligible to apply for renewal. However, for a high-risk child to continue to participate in the program in the school year after he or she reaches 6 years of age, the child’s application for renewal of program participation must contain documentation that the child has a disability defined in paragraph (2)(e) other than high-risk status.
g. Procuring the services necessary to educate the student. If such services include enrollment in an eligible private school, the parent must meet with the private school’s principal or the principal’s designee to review the school’s academic programs and policies, specialized services, code of student conduct, and attendance policies before his or her student is enrolled. The parent must also approve each payment to the eligible private school before the scholarship funds may be deposited by funds transfer pursuant to 2subparagraph (12)(a)4. The parent may not designate any entity or individual associated with the eligible private school as the parent’s attorney in fact to approve a funds transfer. When the student receives a scholarship, the district school board is not obligated to provide the student with a free appropriate public education. For purposes of s. 1003.57 and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, a participating student has only those rights that apply to all other unilaterally parentally placed students, except that, when requested by the parent, school district personnel must develop an IEP or matrix level of services.
(c) A parent may not apply for multiple scholarships under this section and s. 1002.395 for an individual student at the same time.
(d) A participant who fails to comply with this subsection forfeits the scholarship.
(11) OBLIGATIONS OF ELIGIBLE SCHOLARSHIP-FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS.—
(a) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization awarding scholarships to eligible students pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) shall:
1. Establish a process for parents who are in compliance with paragraph (10)(a) to renew their students’ scholarships. Renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter must provide for a renewal timeline beginning February 1 of the prior school year and ending April 30 of the prior school year. A student’s renewal is contingent upon an eligible private school providing confirmation of student admission pursuant to subsection (9). The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being renewed or declined by May 31.
2. Establish a process that allows a parent to apply for a new scholarship. The process may begin no earlier than February 1 of the prior school year and must authorize submission of applications until November 15. The process must be in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the application request and the date of receipt of the application request. Applications received after the deadline may be considered for scholarship award in the subsequent fiscal year. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being accepted or declined by December 15.
3. Verify the household income level of students seeking priority eligibility and submit the verified list of students to the department.
4. Award scholarships in priority order pursuant to paragraph (3)(a).
5. Establish and maintain separate scholarship accounts for each eligible student. For each account, the organization must maintain a record of accrued interest that is retained in the student’s account and available only for authorized program expenditures.
6. Permit eligible students to use program funds for the purposes specified in paragraph (4)(a), as authorized in the organization’s purchasing handbook, by paying for the authorized use directly, then submitting a reimbursement request to the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. However, an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may require the use of an online platform for direct purchases of products so long as such use does not limit a parent’s choice of curriculum or academic programs. If a parent purchases a product identical to one offered by an organization’s online platform for a lower price, the organization must reimburse the parent the cost of the product.
7. In a timely manner, submit the verified list of students and any information requested by the department relating to the scholarship under this section.
8. Notify the department about any violation of this section.
9. Document each student’s eligibility for a fiscal year before granting a scholarship for that fiscal year. A student is ineligible for a scholarship if the student’s account has been inactive for 2 consecutive fiscal years.
10. Notify each parent that participation in the scholarship program does not guarantee enrollment.
11. Commit scholarship funds on behalf of the student for tuition and fees for which the parent is responsible for payment at the participating private school before using scholarship account funds for additional authorized uses under paragraph (4)(a).
(b) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization awarding scholarships to eligible students pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) shall:
1. Establish a process for parents who are in compliance with paragraph (10)(b) to renew their students’ scholarships. Renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter must provide for a renewal timeline beginning February 1 of the prior school year and ending April 30 of the prior school year. A student’s renewal is contingent upon an eligible private school providing confirmation of student admission pursuant to subsection (9), if applicable. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being renewed or declined by May 31.
2. Establish a process that allows a parent to apply for a new scholarship. The process may begin no earlier than February 1 of the prior school year and must authorize the submission of applications until November 15. The process must be in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the application request and the date of receipt of the application request. Applications received after the deadline may be considered for scholarship award in the subsequent fiscal year. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being accepted or declined by December 15.
3. Review applications and award scholarships using the following priorities:
a. Renewing students from the previous school year.
b. An eligible student who meets the criteria for an initial award pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Establish and maintain separate accounts for each eligible student. For each account, the organization must maintain a record of accrued interest that is retained in the student’s account and available only for authorized program expenditures.
5. Verify qualifying educational expenditures pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (4)(b).
6. Return any remaining program funds to the department pursuant to paragraph (6)(b).
7. Notify the parent about the availability of, and the requirements associated with requesting, an initial IEP or IEP reevaluation every 3 years for each student participating in the program.
8. Notify the parent of available state and local services, including, but not limited to, services under chapter 413.
9. In a timely manner, submit to the department the verified list of eligible scholarship students and any information requested by the department relating to the scholarship under this section.
10. Notify the department of any violation of this section.
11. Document each scholarship student’s eligibility for a fiscal year before granting a scholarship for that fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (3)(b). A student is ineligible for a scholarship if the student’s account has been inactive for 2 consecutive fiscal years.
(c) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may, from eligible contributions received pursuant to s. 1002.395(6)(l)1., use an amount not to exceed 2.5 percent of the total amount of all scholarships funded under this section for administrative expenses associated with performing functions under this section. An organization that, for the prior fiscal year, has complied with the expenditure requirements of s. 1002.395(6)(l)3. may use an amount not to exceed 3 percent. Such administrative expense amount is considered within the 3-percent limit on the total amount an organization may use to administer scholarships under this chapter.
(d) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall establish a process to collect input and feedback from parents, private schools, and providers before implementing substantial modifications or enhancements to the reimbursement process.
(12) SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
(a)1. The calculated scholarship amount for a participating student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) shall be based upon the grade level and school district in which the student was assigned as 100 percent of the funds per unweighted full-time equivalent in the Florida Education Finance Program for a student in the basic program established pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c)1., plus a per-full-time equivalent share of funds for the categorical programs established in s. 1011.62(5), (7)(a), and (16), as funded in the General Appropriations Act.
2.a. For renewing scholarship students, the organization must verify the student’s continued eligibility to participate in the scholarship program at least 30 days before each payment. Upon receiving the verified list of eligible scholarship students, the department shall release, from state funds only, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 1. to the organization for deposit into the student’s account in quarterly payments no later than August 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in force.
b. For new scholarship students, the organization must verify the student’s eligibility to participate in the scholarship program at least 30 days before each payment. Upon receiving the verified list of eligible scholarship students, the department shall release, from state funds only, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 1. to the organization for deposit into the student’s account in quarterly payments no later than September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in force. For a student exiting a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program who chooses to participate in the scholarship program, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 1. must be transferred from the school district in which the student last attended a public school before commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
c. The department is authorized to release the state funds contingent upon verification that the organization will comply with s. 1002.395(6)(l) based upon the organization’s submitted verified list of eligible scholarship students pursuant to s. 1002.395.
3. The initial payment shall be made after the organization’s verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments shall be made upon verification of continued enrollment and attendance at the participating private school. Payments for tuition and fees for full-time enrollment shall be made within 7 business days after approval by the parent pursuant to paragraph (10)(a) and the private school pursuant to paragraph (9)(b). Payment must be by funds transfer or any other means of payment that the department deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. An organization shall ensure that the parent has approved a funds transfer before any scholarship funds are deposited.
4. An organization may not transfer any funds to an account of a student determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(a) which has a balance in excess of $24,000.
(b)1. For the 2024-2025 school year, the maximum number of scholarships funded under paragraph (3)(b) shall be 72,615. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the maximum number of scholarships funded under paragraph (3)(b) shall annually increase by 5 percent of the state’s total exceptional student education full-time equivalent student membership, not including gifted students. The maximum number of scholarships funded shall increase by 1 percent of the state’s total exceptional student education full-time equivalent student membership, not including gifted students, in the school year following any school year in which the number of scholarships funded exceeds 95 percent of the number of available scholarships for that school year. An eligible student who meets any of the following requirements shall be excluded from the maximum number of students if the student:
a. Received specialized instructional services under the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program pursuant to s. 1002.66 during the previous school year and the student has a current IEP developed by the district school board in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education;
b. Is a dependent child of a law enforcement officer or a member of the United States Armed Forces, a foster child, or an adopted child; or
c. Spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida public school or the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “prior school year in attendance” means that the student was enrolled and reported by:
(I) A school district for funding during either the preceding October or February full-time equivalent student membership surveys in kindergarten through grade 12, which includes time spent in a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program if funded under the Florida Education Finance Program;
(II) The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind during the preceding October or February full-time equivalent student membership surveys in kindergarten through grade 12;
(III) A school district for funding during the preceding October or February full-time equivalent student membership surveys, was at least 4 years of age when enrolled and reported, and was eligible for services under s. 1003.21(1)(e); or
(IV) Received a John M. McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities in the 2021-2022 school year.
2. For a student who has a Level I to Level III matrix of services or a diagnosis by a physician or psychologist, the calculated scholarship amount for a student participating in the program must be based upon the grade level and school district in which the student would have been enrolled as the total funds per unweighted full-time equivalent in the Florida Education Finance Program for a student in the basic exceptional student education program pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c) and (d), plus a per full-time equivalent share of funds for the categorical programs established in s. 1011.62(5), (7)(a), (8), and (16), as funded in the General Appropriations Act. For the categorical program established in s. 1011.62(8), the funds must be allocated based on the school district’s average exceptional student education guaranteed allocation funds per exceptional student education full-time equivalent student.
3. For a student with a Level IV or Level V matrix of services, the calculated scholarship amount must be based upon the school district to which the student would have been assigned as the total funds per full-time equivalent for the Level IV or Level V exceptional student education program pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(c)2.a. or b., plus a per-full time equivalent share of funds for the categorical programs established in s. 1011.62(5), (7)(a), and (16), as funded in the General Appropriations Act.
4. For a student who received a Gardiner Scholarship pursuant to former s. 1002.385 in the 2020-2021 school year, the amount shall be the greater of the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 2. or the amount the student received for the 2020-2021 school year.
5. For a student who received a John M. McKay Scholarship pursuant to former s. 1002.39 in the 2020-2021 school year, the amount shall be the greater of the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 2. or the amount the student received for the 2020-2021 school year.
6. The organization must verify the student’s eligibility to participate in the scholarship program at least 30 days before each payment.
7.a. For renewing scholarship students, upon receiving the verified list of eligible scholarship students, the department shall release, from state funds only, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 1. to the organization for deposit into the student’s account in quarterly payments no later than August 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in force.
b. For new scholarship students, upon receiving the verified list of eligible scholarship students, the department shall release, from state funds only, the amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 1. to the organization for deposit into the student’s account in quarterly payments no later than September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1 of each school year in which the scholarship is in force.
8. If a scholarship student is attending an eligible private school full time, the initial payment shall be made after the organization’s verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments shall be made upon verification of continued enrollment and attendance at the eligible private school. Payments for tuition and fees for full-time enrollment shall be made within 7 business days after approval by the parent pursuant to paragraph (10)(b) and the private school pursuant to paragraph (9)(b).
9. Accrued interest in the student’s account is in addition to, and not part of, the awarded funds. Program funds include both the awarded funds and accrued interest.
10. The organization may develop a system for payment of benefits by funds transfer, including, but not limited to, debit cards, electronic payment cards, or any other means of payment which the department deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. A student’s scholarship award may not be reduced for debit card or electronic payment fees. Commodities or services related to the development of such a system must be procured by competitive solicitation unless they are purchased from a state term contract pursuant to s. 287.056.
11. An organization may not transfer any funds to an account of a student determined to be eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) which has a balance in excess of $50,000.
12. Moneys received pursuant to this section do not constitute taxable income to the qualified student or the parent of the qualified student.
(c) An organization may not submit a new scholarship student for funding after February 1.
(d) Within 30 days after the release of state funds pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b), the eligible scholarship-funding organization shall certify to the department the amount of funds distributed for student scholarships. If the amount of funds released by the department is more than the amount distributed by the organization, the department is authorized to adjust the amount of the overpayment in the subsequent quarterly payment release.
(13) LIABILITY.—No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the award or use of a Family Empowerment Scholarship.
(14) SCOPE OF AUTHORITY.—The inclusion of eligible private schools within the options available to Florida public school students does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district to impose any additional regulation of private schools beyond those reasonably necessary to enforce requirements expressly set forth in this section.
(15) OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO APPROVED PROVIDERS.—The Department of Health, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Education shall work with an organization for easy or automated access to lists of licensed providers of services specified in subparagraph (4)(b)3. to ensure efficient administration of the program.
(16) TRANSITION-TO-WORK PROGRAM.—A student with a disability who is determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) who is at least 17 years, but not older than 22 years of age and who has not received a high school diploma or certificate of completion is eligible for enrollment in his or her participating private school’s transition-to-work program. A transition-to-work program shall consist of academic instruction, work skills training, and a volunteer or paid work experience.
(a) To offer a transition-to-work program, a participating private school must:
1. Develop a transition-to-work program plan, which must include a written description of the academic instruction and work skills training students will receive and the goals for students in the program.
2. Submit the transition-to-work program plan to the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice and consider any guidance provided by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(d) relating to the plan.
3. Develop a personalized transition-to-work program plan for each student enrolled in the program. The student’s parent, the student, and the school principal must sign the personalized plan. The personalized plan must be submitted to the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice upon request by the office.
4. Provide a release of liability form that must be signed by the student’s parent, the student, and a representative of the business offering the volunteer or paid work experience.
5. Assign a case manager or job coach to visit the student’s job site on a weekly basis to observe the student and, if necessary, provide support and guidance to the student.
6. Provide to the parent and student a quarterly report that documents and explains the student’s progress and performance in the program.
7. Maintain accurate attendance and performance records for the student.
(b) A student enrolled in a transition-to-work program must, at a minimum:
1. Receive 15 instructional hours at the participating private school’s physical facility, which must include academic instruction and work skills training.
2. Participate in 10 hours of work at the student’s volunteer or paid work experience.
(c) To participate in a transition-to-work program, a business must:
1. Maintain an accurate record of the student’s performance and hours worked and provide the information to the participating private school.
2. Comply with all state and federal child labor laws.
(17) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section.
1Note.—Section 6, ch. 2024-230, deleted subparagraph (4)(a)2., relating to program funds used for transportation to a Florida public school in which a student is enrolled and that is different from the school to which the student was assigned or to a lab school as defined in s. 1002.32. Similar material relating to stipends for transportation can be found at s. 1002.31(7), created by s. 2, ch. 2024-230.
2Note.—Redesignated as subparagraph (12)(a)3. by s. 6, ch. 2024-230.
1002.395 Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.—
(1) FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.—
(a) The Legislature finds that:
1. It has the inherent power to determine subjects of taxation for general or particular public purposes.
2. Expanding educational opportunities and improving the quality of educational services within the state are valid public purposes that the Legislature may promote using its sovereign power to determine subjects of taxation and exemptions from taxation.
3. Ensuring that all parents, regardless of means, may exercise and enjoy their basic right to educate their children as they see fit is a valid public purpose that the Legislature may promote using its sovereign power to determine subjects of taxation and exemptions from taxation.
4. Expanding educational opportunities and the healthy competition they promote are critical to improving the quality of education in the state and to ensuring that all children receive the high-quality education to which they are entitled.
(b) The purpose of this section is to:
1. Enable taxpayers to make private, voluntary contributions to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations in order to promote the general welfare.
2. Provide taxpayers who wish to help parents with limited resources exercise their basic right to educate their children as they see fit with a means to do so.
3. Promote the general welfare by expanding educational opportunities for children of families that have limited financial resources.
4. Enable children in this state to achieve a greater level of excellence in their education.
5. Improve the quality of education in this state, both by expanding educational opportunities for children and by creating incentives for schools to achieve excellence.
(c) The purpose of this section is not to prescribe the standards or curriculum for participating private schools. A participating private school retains the authority to determine its own standards and curriculum.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Annual tax credit amount” means, for any state fiscal year, the sum of the amount of tax credits approved under paragraph (5)(b), including tax credits to be taken under s. 220.1875 or s. 624.51055, which are approved for a taxpayer whose taxable year begins on or after January 1 of the calendar year preceding the start of the applicable state fiscal year.
(b) “Choice navigator” means an individual who meets the requirements of 1sub-subparagraph (6)(d)4.g. and who provides consultations, at a mutually agreed upon location, on the selection of, application for, and enrollment in educational options addressing the academic needs of a student; curriculum selection; and advice on career and postsecondary education opportunities. However, nothing in this section authorizes a choice navigator to oversee or exercise control over the curricula or academic programs of a personalized education program.
(c) “Department” means the Department of Revenue.
(d) “Direct certification list” means the certified list of children who qualify for the food assistance program, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations provided to the Department of Education by the Department of Children and Families.
(e) “Division” means the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
(f) “Eligible contribution” means a monetary contribution from a taxpayer, subject to the restrictions provided in this section, to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization pursuant to this section and ss. 212.099, 212.1831, and 212.1832. The taxpayer making the contribution may not designate a specific child as the beneficiary of the contribution.
(g) “Eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization” means a state university; or an independent college or university that is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program, located and chartered in this state, is not for profit, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or is a charitable organization that:
1. Is exempt from federal income tax pursuant to s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
2. Is a Florida entity formed under chapter 605, chapter 607, or chapter 617 and whose principal office is located in the state; and
3. Complies with subsections (6) and (15).
(h) “Eligible postsecondary educational institution” means a Florida College System institution; a state university; a school district technical center; a school district adult general education center; an independent college or university eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program under s. 1009.89; or an accredited independent postsecondary educational institution, as defined in s. 1005.02, which is licensed to operate in this state under part III of chapter 1005 or is approved to participate in a reciprocity agreement as defined in s. 1000.35(2).
(i) “Eligible private school” means a private school, as defined in s. 1002.01, located in Florida which offers an education to students in any grades K-12 and that meets the requirements in subsection (8).
(j) “Household income” has the same meaning as the term “income” as defined in the Income Eligibility Guidelines for free and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program in 7 C.F.R. part 210 as published in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(k) “Owner or operator” includes:
1. An owner, president, officer, or director of an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization or a person with equivalent decisionmaking authority over an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
2. An owner, operator, superintendent, or principal of an eligible private school or a person with equivalent decisionmaking authority over an eligible private school.
(l) “Personalized education program” has the same meaning as in s. 1002.01.
(m) “Personalized education student” means a student whose parent applies to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for participation in a personalized education program.
(n) “Student learning plan” means a customized learning plan developed by a parent, at least annually, to guide instruction for his or her student and to identify the goods and services needed to address the academic needs of his or her student.
(o) “Tax credit cap amount” means the maximum annual tax credit amount that the department may approve for a state fiscal year.
(p) “Unweighted FTE funding amount” means the statewide average total funds per unweighted full-time equivalent funding amount that is incorporated by reference in the General Appropriations Act, or any subsequent special appropriations act, for the applicable state fiscal year.
(3) PROGRAM; INITIAL SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.—
(a) The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program is established.
(b)1. A student is eligible for a Florida tax credit scholarship under this section if the student:
a. Is a resident of this state or the dependent child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who has received permanent change of station orders to this state or, at the time of renewal, whose home of record or state of legal residence is Florida; and
b. Is eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school in this state or received a scholarship under the Hope Scholarship Program in the 2023-2024 school year.
2. Priority must be given in the following order:
a. A student whose household income level does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level or who is in foster care or out-of-home care.
b. A student whose household income level exceeds 185 percent of the federal poverty level, but does not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty level.
(4) SCHOLARSHIP PROHIBITIONS.—A student is not eligible for a scholarship while he or she is:
(a) Enrolled full time in a public school, including, but not limited to, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy, the Florida School for Competitive Academics, the Florida Virtual School, the Florida Scholars Academy, a developmental research school authorized under s. 1002.32, or a charter school authorized under this chapter. For purposes of this paragraph, a 3- or 4-year-old child who receives services funded through the Florida Education Finance Program is considered a student enrolled full time in a public school;
(b) Enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in a Department of Juvenile Justice commitment program;
(c) Receiving any other educational scholarship pursuant to this chapter. However, an eligible public school student receiving a scholarship under s. 1002.411 may receive a scholarship for transportation pursuant to 2subparagraph (6)(d)4.;
(d) Not having regular and direct contact with his or her private school teachers pursuant to s. 1002.421(1)(i) unless he or she is enrolled in a personalized education program;
(e) Participating in a home education program as defined in s. 1002.01(1);
(f) Participating in a private tutoring program pursuant to s. 1002.43 unless he or she is enrolled in a personalized education program; or
(g) Participating in virtual instruction pursuant to s. 1002.455 that receives state funding pursuant to the student’s participation.
(a)1. The tax credit cap amount is $229 million in the 2012-2013 state fiscal year.
2. In the 2013-2014 state fiscal year and each state fiscal year thereafter, the tax credit cap amount is the tax credit cap amount in the prior state fiscal year. However, in any state fiscal year when the annual tax credit amount for the prior state fiscal year is equal to or greater than 90 percent of the tax credit cap amount applicable to that state fiscal year, the tax credit cap amount shall increase by 25 percent. The Department of Education and Department of Revenue shall publish on their websites information identifying the tax credit cap amount when it is increased pursuant to this subparagraph.
(b) A taxpayer may submit an application to the department for a tax credit or credits under one or more of s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, s. 220.1875, s. 561.1211, or s. 624.51055.
1. The taxpayer shall specify in the application each tax for which the taxpayer requests a credit and the applicable taxable year for a credit under s. 220.1875 or s. 624.51055 or the applicable state fiscal year for a credit under s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, or s. 561.1211. For purposes of s. 220.1875, a taxpayer may apply for a credit to be used for a prior taxable year before the date the taxpayer is required to file a return for that year pursuant to s. 220.222. For purposes of s. 624.51055, a taxpayer may apply for a credit to be used for a prior taxable year before the date the taxpayer is required to file a return for that prior taxable year pursuant to ss. 624.509 and 624.5092. The department shall approve tax credits on a first-come, first-served basis and must obtain the division’s approval before approving a tax credit under s. 561.1211.
2. Within 10 days after approving or denying an application, the department shall provide a copy of its approval or denial letter to the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization specified by the taxpayer in the application.
(c) If a tax credit approved under paragraph (b) is not fully used within the specified state fiscal year for credits under s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, or s. 561.1211 or against taxes due for the specified taxable year for credits under s. 220.1875 or s. 624.51055 because of insufficient tax liability on the part of the taxpayer, the unused amount shall be carried forward for a period not to exceed 10 years. For purposes of s. 220.1875, a credit carried forward may be used in a subsequent year after applying the other credits and unused carryovers in the order provided in s. 220.02(8).
(d) A taxpayer may not convey, assign, or transfer an approved tax credit or a carryforward tax credit to another entity unless all of the assets of the taxpayer are conveyed, assigned, or transferred in the same transaction. However, a tax credit under s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, s. 220.1875, s. 561.1211, or s. 624.51055 may be conveyed, transferred, or assigned between members of an affiliated group of corporations if the type of tax credit under s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, s. 220.1875, s. 561.1211, or s. 624.51055 remains the same. A taxpayer shall notify the department of its intent to convey, transfer, or assign a tax credit to another member within an affiliated group of corporations. The amount conveyed, transferred, or assigned is available to another member of the affiliated group of corporations upon approval by the department. The department shall obtain the division’s approval before approving a conveyance, transfer, or assignment of a tax credit under s. 561.1211.
(e) Within any state fiscal year, a taxpayer may rescind all or part of a tax credit approved under paragraph (b). The amount rescinded shall become available for that state fiscal year to another eligible taxpayer as approved by the department if the taxpayer receives notice from the department that the rescindment has been accepted by the department. The department must obtain the division’s approval prior to accepting the rescindment of a tax credit under s. 561.1211. Any amount rescinded under this paragraph shall become available to an eligible taxpayer on a first-come, first-served basis based on tax credit applications received after the date the rescindment is accepted by the department.
(f) Within 10 days after approving or denying the conveyance, transfer, or assignment of a tax credit under paragraph (d), or the rescindment of a tax credit under paragraph (e), the department shall provide a copy of its approval or denial letter to the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization specified by the taxpayer. The department shall also include the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization specified by the taxpayer on all letters or correspondence of acknowledgment for tax credits under s. 212.1831.
(g) For purposes of calculating the underpayment of estimated corporate income taxes pursuant to s. 220.34 and tax installment payments for taxes on insurance premiums or assessments under s. 624.5092, the final amount due is the amount after credits earned under s. 220.1875 or s. 624.51055 for contributions to eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations are deducted.
1. For purposes of determining if a penalty or interest shall be imposed for underpayment of estimated corporate income tax pursuant to s. 220.34(2)(d)1., a taxpayer may, after earning a credit under s. 220.1875, reduce any estimated payment in that taxable year by the amount of the credit. This subparagraph applies to contributions made on or after July 1, 2014.
2. For purposes of determining if a penalty under s. 624.5092 shall be imposed, an insurer, after earning a credit under s. 624.51055 for a taxable year, may reduce any installment payment for such taxable year of 27 percent of the amount of the net tax due as reported on the return for the preceding year under s. 624.5092(2)(b) by the amount of the credit. This subparagraph applies to contributions made on or after July 1, 2014.
(a) Must comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d.
(b) Must comply with the following background check requirements:
1. All owners and operators as defined in subparagraph (2)(k)1. are, before employment or engagement to provide services, subject to level 2 background screening as provided under chapter 435. The fingerprints for the background screening must be electronically submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement and can be taken by an authorized law enforcement agency or by an employee of the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization or a private company who is trained to take fingerprints. However, the complete set of fingerprints of an owner or operator may not be taken by the owner or operator. The results of the state and national criminal history check shall be provided to the Department of Education for screening under chapter 435. The cost of the background screening may be borne by the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization or the owner or operator.
2. Every 5 years following employment or engagement to provide services or association with an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, each owner or operator must meet level 2 screening standards as described in s. 435.04, at which time the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for level 2 screening. If the fingerprints of an owner or operator are not retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 3., the owner or operator must electronically file a complete set of fingerprints with the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon submission of fingerprints for this purpose, the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall request that the Department of Law Enforcement forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for level 2 screening, and the fingerprints shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 3.
3. Fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement as required by this paragraph must be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement in a manner approved by rule and entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b). The fingerprints must thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051.
4. The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all arrest fingerprints received under s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system under subparagraph 3. Any arrest record that is identified with an owner’s or operator’s fingerprints must be reported to the Department of Education. The Department of Education shall participate in this search process by paying an annual fee to the Department of Law Enforcement and by informing the Department of Law Enforcement of any change in the employment, engagement, or association status of the owners or operators whose fingerprints are retained under subparagraph 3. The Department of Law Enforcement shall adopt a rule setting the amount of the annual fee to be imposed upon the Department of Education for performing these services and establishing the procedures for the retention of owner and operator fingerprints and the dissemination of search results. The fee may be borne by the owner or operator of the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
5. A nonprofit scholarship-funding organization whose owner or operator fails the level 2 background screening is not eligible to provide scholarships under this section.
6. A nonprofit scholarship-funding organization whose owner or operator in the last 7 years has filed for personal bankruptcy or corporate bankruptcy in a corporation of which he or she owned more than 20 percent shall not be eligible to provide scholarships under this section.
7. In addition to the offenses listed in s. 435.04, a person required to undergo background screening pursuant to this part or authorizing statutes must not have an arrest awaiting final disposition for, must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, and must not have been adjudicated delinquent, and the record must not have been sealed or expunged for, any of the following offenses or any similar offense of another jurisdiction:
a. Any authorizing statutes, if the offense was a felony.
b. This chapter, if the offense was a felony.
c. Section 409.920, relating to Medicaid provider fraud.
d. Section 409.9201, relating to Medicaid fraud.
e. Section 741.28, relating to domestic violence.
f. Section 817.034, relating to fraudulent acts through mail, wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photooptical systems.
g. Section 817.234, relating to false and fraudulent insurance claims.
h. Section 817.505, relating to patient brokering.
i. Section 817.568, relating to criminal use of personal identification information.
j. Section 817.60, relating to obtaining a credit card through fraudulent means.
k. Section 817.61, relating to fraudulent use of credit cards, if the offense was a felony.
l. Section 831.01, relating to forgery.
m. Section 831.02, relating to uttering forged instruments.
n. Section 831.07, relating to forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.
o. Section 831.09, relating to uttering forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.
p. Section 831.30, relating to fraud in obtaining medicinal drugs.
q. Section 831.31, relating to the sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver any counterfeit controlled substance, if the offense was a felony.
(c) Must not have an owner or operator, as defined in subparagraph (2)(k)1., who owns or operates an eligible private school that is participating in the scholarship program.
(d)1. For the 2023-2024 school year, may fund no more than 20,000 scholarships for students who are enrolled pursuant to paragraph (7)(b). The number of scholarships funded for such students may increase by 40,000 in each subsequent school year. This subparagraph is repealed July 1, 2027.
2. Shall establish a process for parents who are in compliance with paragraph (7)(a) to renew their students’ scholarships. Renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter must provide for a renewal timeline beginning February 1 of the prior school year and ending April 30 of the prior school year. A student’s renewal is contingent upon an eligible private school providing confirmation of admission pursuant to subsection (8). The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being renewed or declined by May 31.
3. Shall establish a process that allows a parent to apply for a new scholarship. The process must be in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the application request and the date of receipt of the application request. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being accepted or declined by a date set by the organization.
4. Must establish and maintain separate scholarship accounts from eligible contributions for each eligible student. For each account, the organization must maintain a record of accrued interest retained in the student’s account. The organization must verify that scholarship funds are used for:
a. Tuition and fees for full-time or part-time enrollment in an eligible private school.
b. Instructional materials, including digital materials and Internet resources.
c. Curriculum as defined in s. 1002.394(2).
d. Tuition and fees associated with full-time or part-time enrollment in a home education instructional program; an eligible postsecondary educational institution or a program offered by the postsecondary educational institution, unless the program is subject to s. 1009.25 or reimbursed pursuant to s. 1009.30; an approved preapprenticeship program as defined in s. 446.021(5) which is not subject to s. 1009.25 and complies with all applicable requirements of the Department of Education pursuant to chapter 1005; a private tutoring program authorized under s. 1002.43; a virtual program offered by a department-approved private online provider that meets the provider qualifications specified in s. 1002.45(2)(a); the Florida Virtual School as a private paying student; or an approved online course offered pursuant to s. 1003.499 or s. 1004.0961.
e. Fees for nationally standardized, norm-referenced achievement tests, Advanced Placement Examinations, industry certification examinations, assessments related to postsecondary education, or other assessments.
f. Contracted services provided by a public school or school district, including classes. A student who receives contracted services under this sub-subparagraph is not considered enrolled in a public school for eligibility purposes as specified in subsection (11) but rather attending a public school on a part-time basis as authorized under s. 1002.44.
g. Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services or fees for services provided by a choice navigator. Such services must be provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate pursuant to s. 1012.56, a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.57, a person who has a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree in the subject area in which instruction is given, a person who has demonstrated a mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to s. 1012.56(5), or a person certified by a nationally or internationally recognized research-based training program as approved by the Department of Education. As used in this paragraph, the term “part-time tutoring services” does not qualify as regular school attendance as defined in s. 1003.01(16)(e).
(e) For students determined eligible pursuant to paragraph (7)(b), must:
1. Establish a process for parents who are in compliance with subparagraph (7)(b)1. to apply for a new scholarship. New scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter must provide for an application timeline beginning February 1 of the prior school year and ending April 30 of the prior school year. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being accepted or declined by May 31.
2. Establish a process for parents who are in compliance with paragraph (7)(b) to renew their students’ scholarships. Renewal scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter must provide for a renewal timeline beginning February 1 of the prior school year and ending April 30 of the prior school year. The process must require that parents confirm that the scholarship is being renewed or declined by May 31.
3. Maintain a signed agreement from the parent which constitutes compliance with the attendance requirements under ss. 1003.01(16) and 1003.21(1).
4. Receive eligible student test scores and, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, by August 15, annually report test scores for students pursuant to paragraph (7)(b) to a state university pursuant to paragraph (9)(f).
5. Provide parents with information, guidance, and support to create and annually update a student learning plan for their student. The organization must maintain the plan and allow parents to electronically submit, access, and revise the plan continuously.
6. Upon submission by the parent of an annual student learning plan, fund a scholarship for a student determined eligible.
(f) Must give first priority to eligible renewal students who received a scholarship from an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization during the previous school year. The eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must fully apply and exhaust all funds available under this section for renewal scholarship awards before awarding any initial scholarships.
(g) Must provide a new scholarship to an eligible student on a first-come, first-served basis unless the student is seeking priority eligibility pursuant to subsection (3).
(h) Must refer any student eligible for a scholarship pursuant to this section who did not receive a renewal or initial scholarship based solely on the lack of available funds under this section to another eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization that may have funds available.
(i) May not restrict or reserve scholarships for use at a particular eligible private school or provide scholarships to a child of an owner or operator as defined in subparagraph (2)(k)1.
(j) Must allow a student in foster care or out-of-home care or a dependent child of a parent who is a member of the United States Armed Forces to apply for a scholarship at any time.
(k) Must allow an eligible student to attend any eligible private school and must allow a parent to transfer a scholarship during a school year to any other eligible private school of the parent’s choice.
(l)1. May use eligible contributions received pursuant to this section and ss. 212.099, 212.1831, and 212.1832 during the state fiscal year in which such contributions are collected for administrative expenses if the organization has operated as an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for at least the preceding 3 fiscal years and did not have any findings of material weakness or material noncompliance in its most recent audit under paragraph (o) or is in good standing in each state in which it administers a scholarship program and the audited financial statements for the preceding 3 fiscal years are free of material misstatements and going concern issues. Administrative expenses from eligible contributions may not exceed 3 percent of the total amount of all scholarships and stipends funded by an eligible scholarship-funding organization under this chapter. Such administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary for the organization’s management and distribution of scholarships funded under this chapter. Administrative expenses may include developing or contracting with rideshare programs or facilitating carpool strategies for recipients of a transportation scholarship under 3s. 1002.394. No funds authorized under this subparagraph shall be used for lobbying or political activity or expenses related to lobbying or political activity. Up to one-third of the funds authorized for administrative expenses under this subparagraph may be used for expenses related to the recruitment of contributions from taxpayers. An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may not charge an application fee.
2. Must expend for annual or partial-year scholarships 100 percent of any eligible contributions from the prior fiscal year.
3. Must expend for annual or partial-year scholarships an amount equal to or greater than 75 percent of all net eligible contributions, as defined in subsection (2), remaining after administrative expenses during the state fiscal year in which such eligible contributions are collected. No more than 25 percent of such net eligible contributions may be carried forward to the following state fiscal year. All amounts carried forward, for audit purposes, must be specifically identified for particular students, by student name and the name of the school to which the student is admitted, subject to the requirements of ss. 1002.22 and 1002.221 and 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and the applicable rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto. Any amounts carried forward shall be expended for annual or partial-year scholarships in the following state fiscal year. Eligible contributions remaining on June 30 of each year that are in excess of the 25 percent that may be carried forward shall be used to provide scholarships to eligible students or transferred to other eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations to provide scholarships for eligible students. All transferred funds must be deposited by each eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization receiving such funds into its scholarship account. All transferred amounts received by any eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must be separately disclosed in the annual financial audit required under paragraph (o).
4. Must, before granting a scholarship for an academic year, document each scholarship student’s eligibility for that academic year. A scholarship-funding organization may not grant multiyear scholarships in one approval process.
(m) Must maintain separate accounts for scholarship funds and operating funds.
(n) With the prior approval of the Department of Education, may transfer funds to another eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization if additional funds are required to meet scholarship demand at the receiving nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. A transfer is limited to the greater of $500,000 or 20 percent of the total contributions received by the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization making the transfer. All transferred funds must be deposited by the receiving nonprofit scholarship-funding organization into its scholarship accounts. All transferred amounts received by any nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must be separately disclosed in the annual financial and compliance audit required in this section.
(o) Must provide to the Auditor General and the Department of Education a report on the results of an annual financial audit of its accounts and records conducted by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, government auditing standards, and rules promulgated by the Auditor General. The audit report must include a report on financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Audit reports must be provided to the Auditor General and the Department of Education within 180 days after completion of the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization’s fiscal year. The Auditor General shall review all audit reports submitted pursuant to this paragraph. The Auditor General shall request any significant items that were omitted in violation of a rule adopted by the Auditor General. The items must be provided within 45 days after the date of the request. If the scholarship-funding organization does not comply with the Auditor General’s request, the Auditor General shall notify the Legislative Auditing Committee.
(p) Must prepare and submit quarterly reports to the Department of Education pursuant to paragraph (9)(i). In addition, an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must submit in a timely manner the verified list of eligible scholarship students and any information requested by the Department of Education relating to the scholarship program.
(q)1.a. Must participate in the joint development of agreed-upon procedures during the 2009-2010 state fiscal year. The agreed-upon procedures must uniformly apply to all private schools and must determine, at a minimum, whether the private school has been verified as eligible by the Department of Education under s. 1002.421; has an adequate accounting system, system of financial controls, and process for deposit and classification of scholarship funds; and has properly expended scholarship funds for education-related expenses. During the development of the procedures, the participating scholarship-funding organizations shall specify guidelines governing the materiality of exceptions that may be found during the accountant’s performance of the procedures. The procedures and guidelines shall be provided to private schools and the Commissioner of Education by March 15, 2011.
b. Must participate in a joint review of the agreed-upon procedures and guidelines developed under sub-subparagraph a., by February of each biennium, if the scholarship-funding organization provided more than $250,000 in scholarship funds under this chapter during the state fiscal year preceding the biennial review. If the procedures and guidelines are revised, the revisions must be provided to private schools and the Commissioner of Education by March 15 of the year in which the revisions were completed. The revised agreed-upon procedures and guidelines shall take effect the subsequent school year.
c. Must monitor the compliance of a participating private school with s. 1002.421(1)(q) if the scholarship-funding organization provided the majority of the scholarship funding to the school. For each participating private school subject to s. 1002.421(1)(q), the appropriate scholarship-funding organization shall annually notify the Commissioner of Education by October 30 of:
(I) A private school’s failure to submit a report required under s. 1002.421(1)(q); or
(II) Any material exceptions set forth in the report required under s. 1002.421(1)(q).
2. Must seek input from the accrediting associations that are members of the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools and the Department of Education when jointly developing the agreed-upon procedures and guidelines under sub-subparagraph 1.a. and conducting a review of those procedures and guidelines under sub-subparagraph 1.b.
(r) Must maintain the surety bond or letter of credit required by subsection (15). The amount of the surety bond or letter of credit may be adjusted quarterly to equal the actual amount of undisbursed funds based upon submission by the organization of a statement from a certified public accountant verifying the amount of undisbursed funds. The requirements of this paragraph are waived if the cost of acquiring a surety bond or letter of credit exceeds the average 10-year cost of acquiring a surety bond or letter of credit by 200 percent. The requirements of this paragraph are waived for a state university; or an independent college or university which is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program, located and chartered in this state, is not for profit, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
(s) Must provide to the Auditor General any information or documentation requested in connection with an operational audit of a scholarship-funding organization conducted pursuant to s. 11.45.
(t)1. Must develop a purchasing handbook that includes policies for authorized uses of scholarship funds under paragraph (d) and s. 1002.394(4)(a). The handbook must include, at a minimum, a routinely updated list of prohibited items and services, and items or services that require preauthorization or additional documentation. By August 1, 2024, and by each July 1 thereafter, the purchasing handbook must be provided to the Commissioner of Education and published on the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization’s website. Any revisions must be provided to the commissioner and published on the organization’s website within 30 days after such revisions.
2. The organization shall assist the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities established under s. 1004.6495 with the development of purchasing guidelines, which must include a routinely updated list of prohibited items and services, and items or services for which preauthorization or additional documentation is required, for authorized uses of scholarship funds under s. 1002.394(4)(b) and publish the guidelines on the organization’s website.
3. If the organization fails to submit the purchasing handbook required by subparagraph 1., the Department of Education may assess a financial penalty, not to exceed $10,000, as prescribed by State Board of Education rule. This subparagraph expires July 1, 2026.
(u) May permit eligible students to use program funds for the purposes specified in paragraph (d), as authorized in the organization’s purchasing handbook, by paying for the authorized use directly, then submitting a reimbursement request to the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. However, an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may require the use of an online platform for direct purchases of products so long as such use does not limit a parent’s choice of curriculum or academic programs. If a parent purchases a product identical to one offered by an organization’s online platform for a lower price, the organization shall reimburse the parent the cost of the product.
(v) Must notify each parent that participation in the scholarship program does not guarantee enrollment.
(w) Shall commit scholarship funds on behalf of the student for tuition and fees for which the parent is responsible for payment at the participating private school before using scholarship account funds for additional authorized uses under paragraph (d).
(x) Beginning September 30, 2023, must submit to the department quarterly reports that provide the estimated and actual amounts of the net eligible contributions, as defined in subsection (2), and all funds carried forward from the prior state fiscal year.
(y) Must establish a process to collect input and feedback from parents, private schools, and providers before implementing substantial modifications or enhancements to the reimbursement process.
Information and documentation provided to the Department of Education and the Auditor General relating to the identity of a taxpayer that provides an eligible contribution under this section shall remain confidential at all times in accordance with s. 213.053.
(7) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.—
(a) A parent who applies for a scholarship whose student will be enrolled full time in an eligible private school must:
1. Select an eligible private school and apply for the admission of his or her child.
2. Request the scholarship by the date established by the organization in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request.
3.a. Beginning with new applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by a date set by the organization that the scholarship is being accepted or declined.
b. Beginning with renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, notify the organization by May 31 that the scholarship is being renewed or declined.
4. Inform the applicable school district when the parent withdraws his or her student from a public school to attend an eligible private school.
5. Require his or her student participating in the program to remain in attendance at the eligible private school throughout the school year unless excused by the school for illness or other good cause and comply with the private school’s published policies.
6. Meet with the eligible private school’s principal or the principal’s designee to review the school’s academic programs and policies, specialized services, code of student conduct, and attendance policies before enrollment.
7. Require his or her student participating in the program to take the norm-referenced assessment offered by the participating private school. The parent may also choose to have the student participate in the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22. If the parent requests that the student participating in the program take statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 and the participating private school has not chosen to offer and administer the statewide assessments, the parent is responsible for transporting the student to the assessment site designated by the school district.
8. Approve each payment before the scholarship funds may be deposited by funds transfer. The parent may not designate any entity or individual associated with the participating private school as the parent’s attorney in fact to approve a funds transfer. A participant who fails to comply with this paragraph forfeits the scholarship.
9. Authorize the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to access information needed for income eligibility determination and verification held by other state or federal agencies, including the Department of Revenue, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Education, the Department of Commerce, and the Agency for Health Care Administration, for students seeking priority eligibility.
10. Agree to have the organization commit scholarship funds on behalf of his or her student for tuition and fees for which the parent is responsible for payment at the participating private school before using scholarship account funds for additional authorized uses under paragraph (6)(d). A parent is responsible for all eligible expenses in excess of the amount of the scholarship.
11. Comply with the scholarship application and renewal processes and requirements established by the organization.
(b) A parent whose student will not be enrolled full time in a public or private school must:
1. Apply to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to participate in the program as a personalized education student by a date set by the organization. The request must be communicated directly to the organization in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request. Beginning with new and renewal applications for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter,4a parent must notify the organization by May 31 that the scholarship is being accepted, renewed, or declined.
2. Sign an agreement with the organization and annually submit a sworn compliance statement to the organization to satisfy or maintain program eligibility, including eligibility to receive and spend program payments, by:
a. Affirming that the program funds are used only for authorized purposes serving the student’s educational needs, as described in paragraph (6)(d), and that they will not receive a payment, refund, or rebate of any funds provided under this section.
b. Affirming that the parent is responsible for all eligible expenses in excess of the amount of the scholarship and for the education of his or her student.
c. Submitting a student learning plan to the organization and revising the plan at least annually before program renewal.
d. Requiring his or her student to take a nationally norm-referenced test identified by the Department of Education, or a statewide assessment under s. 1008.22, and provide assessment results to the organization before the student’s program renewal.
e. Complying with the scholarship application and renewal processes and requirements established by the organization. A student whose participation in the program is not renewed may continue to spend scholarship funds that are in his or her account from prior years unless the account must be closed pursuant to s. 1002.394(5)(a)2.
f. Procuring the services necessary to educate the student. When the student receives a scholarship, the district school board is not obligated to provide the student with a free appropriate public education.
For purposes of this paragraph, full-time enrollment does not include enrollment at a private school that addresses regular and direct contact with teachers through the student learning plan in accordance with s. 1002.421(1)(i).
(c) A parent may not apply for multiple scholarships under this section and s. 1002.394 for an individual student at the same time.
An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may not further regulate, exercise control over, or require documentation beyond the requirements of this subsection unless the regulation, control, or documentation is necessary for participation in the program.
(8) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—An eligible private school may be sectarian or nonsectarian and must:
(a) Comply with all requirements for private schools participating in state school choice scholarship programs pursuant to s. 1002.421.
(b) Provide to the organization all documentation required for a student’s participation, including confirmation of the student’s admission to the private school, the private school’s and student’s fee schedules, and any other information required by the organization to process scholarship payment pursuant to paragraph (11)(c). Such information must be provided by the deadlines established by the organization and in accordance with the requirements of this section. A student is not eligible to receive a quarterly scholarship payment if the private school fails to meet the deadline.
(c)1. Annually administer or make provision for students participating in the scholarship program in grades 3 through 10 to take one of the nationally norm-referenced tests identified by the department or the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22. Students with disabilities for whom standardized testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. A participating private school must report a student’s scores to the parent. A participating private school must annually report by August 15 the scores of all participating students to a state university described in paragraph (9)(f).
2. Administer the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 if a participating private school chooses to offer the statewide assessments. A participating private school may choose to offer and administer the statewide assessments to all students who attend the participating private school in grades 3 through 10 and must submit a request in writing to the Department of Education by March 1 of each year in order to administer the statewide assessments in the subsequent school year.
If a participating private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection or s. 1002.421, the commissioner may determine that the participating private school is ineligible to participate in the scholarship program.
(9) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OBLIGATIONS.—The Department of Education shall:
(a) Annually submit to the department and division, by March 15, a list of eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations that meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(g).
(b) Annually verify the eligibility of nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations that meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(g).
(c) Annually verify the eligibility of expenditures as provided in paragraph (6)(d) using the audit required by paragraph (6)(o).
(d) Notify eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations of the deadlines for submitting the verified list of eligible scholarship students; cross-check the verified list with the public school enrollment lists to avoid duplication; and, when the Florida Education Finance Program is recalculated, adjust the amount of state funds allocated to school districts through the Florida Education Finance Program based upon the results of the cross-check.
(e) Maintain and annually publish a list of nationally norm-referenced tests identified for purposes of satisfying the testing requirement in subparagraph (8)(c)1. The tests must meet industry standards of quality in accordance with State Board of Education rule.
(f) Issue a project grant award to a state university, to which participating private schools and eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations must report the scores of participating students on the nationally norm-referenced tests or the statewide assessments administered in grades 3 through 10. The project term is 2 years, and the amount of the project is up to $250,000 per year. The project grant award must be reissued in 2-year intervals in accordance with this paragraph.
1. The state university must annually report to the Department of Education on the student performance of participating students and, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, on the performance of personalized education students:
a. On a statewide basis. The report shall also include, to the extent possible, a comparison of scholarship students’ performance to the statewide student performance of public school students with socioeconomic backgrounds similar to those of students participating in the scholarship program. To minimize costs and reduce time required for the state university’s analysis and evaluation, the Department of Education shall coordinate with the state university to provide data to the state university in order to conduct analyses of matched students from public school assessment data and calculate control group student performance using an agreed-upon methodology with the state university; and
b. On an individual school basis for students enrolled full time in a private school. The annual report must include student performance for each participating private school in which enrolled students in the private school participated in a scholarship program under this section or s. 1002.394(12)(a) in the prior school year. The report shall be according to each participating private school, and for participating students, in which there are at least 30 participating students who have scores for tests administered. If the state university determines that the 30-participating-student cell size may be reduced without disclosing personally identifiable information, as described in 34 C.F.R. s. 99.12, of a participating student, the state university may reduce the participating-student cell size, but the cell size must not be reduced to less than 10 participating students. The department shall provide each participating private school’s prior school year’s student enrollment information to the state university no later than June 15 of each year, or as requested by the state university.
2. The sharing and reporting of student performance data under this paragraph must be in accordance with requirements of ss. 1002.22 and 1002.221 and 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and the applicable rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto, and shall be for the sole purpose of creating the annual report required by subparagraph 1. All parties must preserve the confidentiality of such information as required by law. The annual report must not disaggregate data to a level that will identify individual participating schools, except as required under sub-subparagraph 1.b., or disclose the academic level of individual students.
3. The annual report required by subparagraph 1. shall be published by the Department of Education on its website.
(g) Notify an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization of any of the organization’s identified students who are receiving educational scholarships pursuant to this chapter.
(h) Notify an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization of any of the organization’s identified students who are receiving tax credit scholarships from other eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations.
(i) Require quarterly reports by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization regarding the number of students participating in the program; the private schools at which the students are enrolled; the number of scholarship applications received, the number of applications processed within 30 days after receipt, and the number of incomplete applications received; data related to reimbursement submissions, including the average number of days for a reimbursement to be reviewed and the average number of days for a reimbursement to be approved; any parent input and feedback collected regarding the program; and any other information deemed necessary by the Department of Education.
(j) Provide a process to match the direct certification list with the scholarship application data submitted by any nonprofit scholarship-funding organization eligible to receive the 3-percent administrative allowance under paragraph (6)(l).
(k) Notify each school district of the full-time equivalent student consensus estimate of scholarship students developed pursuant to s. 216.136(4)(a).
(10) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS; PARENTAL OPTIONS.—
(a) Upon the request of any eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, a school district shall inform all households within the district receiving free or reduced-priced meals under the National School Lunch Act of their eligibility to apply for a tax credit scholarship. The form of such notice shall be provided by the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, and the district shall include the provided form, if requested by the organization, in any normal correspondence with eligible households. If an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization requests a special communication to be issued to households within the district receiving free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act, the organization shall reimburse the district for the cost of postage. Such notice is limited to once a year.
(b) Upon the request of the Department of Education, a school district shall coordinate with the department to provide to a participating private school the statewide assessments administered under s. 1008.22 and any related materials for administering the assessments. A school district is responsible for implementing test administrations at a participating private school, including the:
1. Provision of training for participating private school staff on test security and assessment administration procedures;
2. Distribution of testing materials to a participating private school;
3. Retrieval of testing materials from a participating private school;
4. Provision of the required format for a participating private school to submit information to the district for test administration and enrollment purposes; and
5. Provision of any required assistance, monitoring, or investigation at a participating private school.
(11) SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT AND PAYMENT.—
(a) The scholarship amount provided to any student for any single school year by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization from eligible contributions shall be for total costs authorized under paragraph (6)(d), not to exceed annual limits, which shall be determined as follows:
1. For a student who received a scholarship in the 2018-2019 school year, who remains eligible, and who is enrolled in an eligible private school, the amount shall be the greater amount calculated pursuant to subparagraph 2. or a percentage of the unweighted FTE funding amount for the 2018-2019 state fiscal year and thereafter as follows:
a. Eighty-eight percent for a student enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5.
b. Ninety-two percent for a student enrolled in grade 6 through grade 8.
c. Ninety-six percent for a student enrolled in grade 9 through grade 12.
2. For students initially eligible in the 2019-2020 school year or thereafter, the calculated amount for a student to attend an eligible private school shall be calculated in accordance with s. 1002.394(12)(a).
(b) Payment of the scholarship by the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall be by funds transfer, including, but not limited to, debit cards, electronic payment cards, or any other means of payment that the department deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall ensure that the parent has approved a funds transfer before any scholarship funds are deposited.
(c) If a scholarship student is attending an eligible private school full time, the initial payment shall be made after the organization’s verification of admission acceptance, and subsequent payments shall be made upon verification of continued enrollment and attendance at the eligible private school. Payments shall be made within 7 business days after approval by the parent pursuant to paragraph (7)(a) and the private school pursuant to paragraph (8)(b).
(d) Payment of the scholarship shall be made by the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization no less frequently than on a quarterly basis.
(e) An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may not transfer any funds to an account of a student determined eligible under this section which has a balance in excess of $24,000.
(f) A scholarship awarded to an eligible student shall remain in force until:
1. The organization determines that the student is not eligible for program renewal;
2. The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of funds;
3. The student’s parent has forfeited participation in the program for failure to comply with subsection (7);
4. The student who uses the scholarship for full-time tuition and fees at an eligible private school pursuant to paragraph (7)(a) enrolls full time in a public school. However, if a student enters a Department of Juvenile Justice detention center for a period of no more than 21 days, the student is not considered to have returned to a public school on a full-time basis for that purpose; or
5. The student graduates from high school or attains 21 years of age, whichever occurs first.
(g) Reimbursements for program expenditures may continue until the account balance is expended or remaining funds have reverted to the state.
(h) A student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds shall revert to the state after:
1. Denial or revocation of program eligibility by the commissioner for fraud or abuse, including, but not limited to, the student or student’s parent accepting any payment, refund, or rebate, in any manner, from a provider of any services received pursuant to paragraph (6)(d);
2. Two consecutive fiscal years in which an account has been inactive; or
3. The student remains unenrolled in an eligible private school for 30 days while receiving a scholarship that requires full-time enrollment.
(i) Moneys received pursuant to this section do not constitute taxable income to the qualified student or the parent of the qualified student.
(12) ADMINISTRATION; RULES.—
(a) The department, the division, and the Department of Education shall develop a cooperative agreement to assist in the administration of this section.
(b) The department shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section and ss. 211.0251, 212.1831, 220.1875, 561.1211, and 624.51055, including rules establishing application forms, procedures governing the approval of tax credits and carryforward tax credits under subsection (5), and procedures to be followed by taxpayers when claiming approved tax credits on their returns.
(c) The division shall adopt rules necessary to administer its responsibilities under this section and s. 561.1211.
(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer the responsibilities of the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education under this section.
(13) DEPOSITS OF ELIGIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS.—All eligible contributions received by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization shall be deposited in a manner consistent with s. 17.57(2).
(14) PRESERVATION OF CREDIT.—If any provision or portion of this section, s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, s. 220.1875, s. 561.1211, or s. 624.51055 or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional by any court or is otherwise declared invalid, the unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any credit earned under s. 211.0251, s. 212.1831, s. 220.1875, s. 561.1211, or s. 624.51055 by any taxpayer with respect to any contribution paid to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization before the date of a determination of unconstitutionality or invalidity. Such credit shall be allowed at such time and in such a manner as if a determination of unconstitutionality or invalidity had not been made, provided that nothing in this subsection by itself or in combination with any other provision of law shall result in the allowance of any credit to any taxpayer in excess of one dollar of credit for each dollar paid to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
(15) NONPROFIT SCHOLARSHIP-FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS; APPLICATION.—In order to participate in the scholarship program created under this section, a charitable organization that seeks to be a nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must submit an application for initial approval or renewal to the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice. Charitable organizations may apply at any time to participate in the program.
(a) An application for initial approval must include:
1. A copy of the organization’s incorporation documents and registration with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State.
2. A copy of the organization’s Internal Revenue Service determination letter as a s. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
3. A description of the organization’s financial plan that demonstrates sufficient funds to operate throughout the school year.
4. A description of the geographic region that the organization intends to serve and an analysis of the demand and unmet need for eligible students in that area.
5. The organization’s organizational chart.
6. A description of the criteria and methodology that the organization will use to evaluate scholarship eligibility.
7. A description of the application process, including deadlines and any associated fees.
8. A description of the deadlines for attendance verification and scholarship payments.
9. A copy of the organization’s policies on conflict of interest and whistleblowers.
10. A copy of a surety bond or letter of credit to secure the faithful performance of the obligations of the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization in accordance with this section in an amount equal to 25 percent of the scholarship funds anticipated for each school year or $100,000, whichever is greater. The surety bond or letter of credit must specify that any claim against the bond or letter of credit may be made only by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to provide scholarships to and on behalf of students who would have had scholarships funded if it were not for the diversion of funds giving rise to the claim against the bond or letter of credit.
(b) In addition to the information required by subparagraphs (a)1.-9., an application for renewal must include:
1. A surety bond or letter of credit to secure the faithful performance of the obligations of the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization in accordance with this section equal to the amount of undisbursed donations held by the organization based on the annual report submitted pursuant to paragraph (6)(o). The amount of the surety bond or letter of credit must be at least $100,000, but not more than $25 million. The surety bond or letter of credit must specify that any claim against the bond or letter of credit may be made only by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization to provide scholarships to and on behalf of students who would have had scholarships funded if it were not for the diversion of funds giving rise to the claim against the bond or letter of credit.
2. The organization’s completed Internal Revenue Service Form 990 submitted no later than November 30 of the year before the school year that the organization intends to offer the scholarships, notwithstanding the department’s application deadline.
3. A copy of the statutorily required audit to the Department of Education and Auditor General.
4. An annual report that includes:
a. The number of students who completed applications, by county and by grade.
b. The number of students who were approved for scholarships, by county and by grade.
c. The number of students who received funding for scholarships within each funding category, by county and by grade.
d. The amount of funds received, the amount of funds distributed in scholarships, and an accounting of remaining funds and the obligation of those funds.
e. A detailed accounting of how the organization spent the administrative funds allowable under paragraph (6)(l).
f. Documentation of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (6)(t).
(c) In consultation with the Department of Revenue and the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice shall review the application. The Department of Education shall notify the organization in writing of any deficiencies within 30 days after receipt of the application and allow the organization 30 days to correct any deficiencies.
(d) Within 30 days after receipt of the finalized application by the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, the Commissioner of Education shall recommend approval or disapproval of the application to the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall consider the application and recommendation at the next scheduled meeting, adhering to appropriate meeting notice requirements. If the State Board of Education disapproves the organization’s application, it shall provide the organization with a written explanation of that determination. The State Board of Education’s action is not subject to chapter 120.
(e) If the State Board of Education disapproves the renewal of a nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, the organization must notify the affected eligible students and parents of the decision within 15 days after disapproval. An eligible student affected by the disapproval of an organization’s participation remains eligible under this section until the end of the school year in which the organization was disapproved. The student must apply and be accepted by another eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for the upcoming school year. The student shall be given priority in accordance with paragraph (6)(g).
(f) All remaining funds held by a nonprofit scholarship-funding organization that is disapproved for participation must be transferred to other eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations to provide scholarships for eligible students. All transferred funds must be deposited by each eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization receiving such funds into its scholarship account. All transferred amounts received by any eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization must be separately disclosed in the annual financial audit required under subsection (6).
(g) A nonprofit scholarship-funding organization is a renewing organization if it maintains continuous approval and participation in the program. An organization that chooses not to participate for 1 year or more or is disapproved to participate for 1 year or more must submit an application for initial approval in order to participate in the program again.
(h) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules providing guidelines for receiving, reviewing, and approving applications for new and renewing nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations. The rules must include a process for compiling input and recommendations from the Chief Financial Officer, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Education. The rules must also require that the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization make a brief presentation to assist the State Board of Education in its decision.
(i) A state university; or an independent college or university which is eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program, located and chartered in this state, is not for profit, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is exempt from the initial or renewal application process, but must file a registration notice with the Department of Education to be an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that identify the procedure for filing the registration notice with the department. The rules must identify appropriate reporting requirements for fiscal, programmatic, and performance accountability purposes consistent with this section, but shall not exceed the requirements for eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations for charitable organizations.
1Note.—Substituted by the editors for a reference to sub-subparagraph (6)(d)2.h. to conform to the redesignation of subparagraph 2. as subparagraph 4. by s. 4, ch. 2024-163, and the redesignation of sub-subparagraph h. as sub-subparagraph g. by s. 7, ch. 2024-230.
2Note.—Section 7, ch. 2024-230, deleted subparagraph (6)(d)2.b., relating to program funds used for transportation to a Florida public school in which a student is enrolled and that is different from the school to which the student was assigned or to a lab school as defined in s. 1002.32; s. 4, ch. 2024-163, redesignated subparagraph 2. as subparagraph 4. Similar material relating to stipends for transportation can be found at s. 1002.31(7), created by s. 2, ch. 2024-230.
3Note.—Section 6, ch. 2024-230, deleted s. 1002.394(4)(a)2., relating to program funds used for transportation to a Florida public school in which a student is enrolled that is different from the school to which the student was assigned or to a lab school as defined in s. 1002.32. Similar material relating to stipends for transportation can be found at s. 1002.31(7), created by s. 2, ch. 2024-230.
4Note.—The words “a parent must” were inserted by the editors to improve clarity.
Note.—Former s. 220.187.
1002.40 The Hope Scholarship Program.—
(1) PURPOSE.—The Hope Scholarship Program is established to provide the parent of a public school student who was subjected to an incident listed in subsection (3) an opportunity to transfer the student to another public school or to request a scholarship for the student to enroll in and attend an eligible private school.
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Parent” means a resident of this state who is a parent, as defined in s. 1000.21, and whose student reported an incident in accordance with subsection (4).
(b) “Program” means the Hope Scholarship Program.
(c) “School” means any educational program or activity conducted by a public K-12 educational institution, any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity, and riding on a school bus, as defined in s. 1006.25(1), including waiting at a school bus stop.
(3) PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY.—A student enrolled in a Florida public school in kindergarten through grade 12 is eligible for the educational options described in subsection (4) if the student reported an incident in accordance with that subsection. For purposes of this section, the term “incident” means battery; harassment; hazing; bullying; kidnapping; physical attack; robbery; sexual offenses, harassment, assault, or battery; threat or intimidation; or fighting at school, as defined by the department in accordance with s. 1006.09(6).
(4) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS; PARENTAL OPTIONS.—Upon receipt of a report of an incident, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall provide a copy of the report to the parent and investigate the incident to determine if the incident must be reported as required by s. 1006.09(6). Within 24 hours after receipt of the report, the principal or his or her designee shall provide a copy of the report to the parent of the alleged offender and to the superintendent. Upon conclusion of the investigation or within 15 days after the incident was reported, whichever occurs first, the school district shall notify the parent of the program, offer the parent an opportunity to enroll his or her student in another public school that has capacity, and notify the parent of their eligibility to apply for a scholarship to attend an eligible private school under ss. 1002.394 and 1002.395.
(5) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer this section.
HOME EDUCATION, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, OTHER EDUCATION OPTIONS
1002.41 Home education programs.
1002.411 New Worlds Scholarship Accounts.
1002.42 Private schools.
1002.421 State school choice scholarship program accountability and oversight.
1002.43 Private tutoring programs.
1002.44 Part-time public school enrollment.
1002.45 Virtual instruction programs.
1002.451 District innovation school of technology program.
1002.455 Student eligibility for K-12 virtual instruction.
1002.41 Home education programs.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “home education program” has the same meaning as in s. 1002.01. A home education program is not a school district program and is registered with the district school superintendent only for the purpose of complying with the state’s attendance requirements under s. 1003.21(1). The parent is not required to hold a valid regular Florida teaching certificate.
(a) The parent, as defined in s. 1000.21, who establishes and maintains a home education program shall notify the district school superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education program. The notice must be in writing, signed by the parent, and include the full legal names, addresses, and birthdates of all children who shall be enrolled as students in the home education program. The notice must be filed in the district school superintendent’s office within 30 days of the establishment of the home education program.
(b) The district school superintendent shall accept the notice and immediately register the home education program upon receipt of the notice. The district may not require any additional information or verification from the parent unless the student chooses to participate in a school district program or service. The district school superintendent may not assign a grade level to the home education student or include a social security number or any other personal information of the student in any school district or state database unless the student chooses to participate in a school district program or service.
(c) The parent shall file a written notice of termination upon completion of the home education program with the district school superintendent, along with the annual evaluation required in paragraph (f), within 30 days of termination.
(d) The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials. The portfolio must consist of the following:
1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used.
2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student.
(e) The parent shall determine the content of the portfolio, preserve it for 2 years, and make it available for inspection, if requested, by the district school superintendent, or the district school superintendent’s agent, upon 15 days’ written notice. Nothing in this section shall require the district school superintendent to inspect the portfolio.
(f) The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the student’s demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability. The parent shall select the method of evaluation and shall file a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent’s office in the county in which the student resides. The annual educational evaluation shall consist of one of the following:
1. A teacher selected by the parent shall evaluate the student’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the student. Such teacher shall hold a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level;
2. The student shall take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher;
3. The student shall take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district;
4. The student shall be evaluated by an individual holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of s. 490.003(7) or (8); or
5. The student shall be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the district school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the student’s parent.
(2) The district school superintendent shall accept the results of the annual educational evaluation of the student in a home education program. If the student does not demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability, the district school superintendent shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved. The parent shall have 1 year from the date of receipt of the written notification to provide remedial instruction to the student. At the end of the 1-year probationary period, the student shall be reevaluated as specified in paragraph (1)(f). Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent upon the student demonstrating educational progress commensurate with her or his ability at the end of the probationary period.
(3) A home education program shall be excluded from meeting the requirements of a school day.
(4) Home education students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.15.
(5) Home education students may participate in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1009.53-1009.538.
(6) Home education students may participate in dual enrollment programs in accordance with ss. 1007.27(4) and 1007.271(13).
(7) Home education students are eligible for admission to Florida College System institutions in accordance with the provisions of s. 1007.263.
(8) Home education students are eligible for admission to state universities in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Board of Governors.
(9) Testing and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers shall be available to home education program students, including, but not limited to, students with disabilities, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03.
(10) A school district may provide exceptional student education-related services, as defined in State Board of Education rule, to a home education program student with a disability who is eligible for the services and who enrolls in a public school solely for the purpose of receiving those related services. The school district providing the services shall report each student as a full-time equivalent student in the class and in a manner prescribed by the Department of Education, and funding shall be provided through the Florida Education Finance Program pursuant to s. 1011.62.
(11) A school district may provide access to career and technical courses and programs for a home education program student who enrolls in a public school solely for the career and technical courses or programs. The school district that provides the career and technical courses and programs shall report each student as a full-time equivalent student in the class and in a manner prescribed by the department, and funding shall be provided through the Florida Education Finance Program pursuant to s. 1011.62.
(12) Industry certifications, national assessments, and statewide, standardized assessments offered by a school district shall be available to home education program students. Each school district shall notify home education program students of the available certifications and assessments; the date, time, and locations for the administration of each certification and assessment; and the deadline for notifying the school district of the student’s intent to participate and the student’s preferred location.
(13) A school district may not further regulate, exercise control over, or require documentation from parents of home education program students beyond the requirements of this section unless the regulation, control, or documentation is necessary for participation in a school district program.
(1) NEW WORLDS SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS.—New Worlds Scholarship Accounts are established to provide educational options for students.
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—Contingent upon available funds, and on a first-come, first-served basis, each student who is enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program pursuant to s. 1002.53 or a Florida public school in kindergarten through grade 5 is eligible for a scholarship account if the student:
(a) Exhibits a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills based upon the results of the most recent progress monitoring administered pursuant to s. 1008.25(9), has a substantial reading deficiency or exhibits characteristics of dyslexia as identified under s. 1008.25(5)(a), or scored below a Level 3 on the most recent statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) assessment. An eligible student who is classified as an English Language Learner and is enrolled in a program or receiving services that are specifically designed to meet the instructional needs of English Language Learner students shall receive priority.
(b) Exhibits a substantial deficiency in early mathematics skills based upon the results of the most recent progress monitoring administered pursuant to s. 1008.25(9), has a substantial deficiency in mathematics or the characteristics of dyscalculia as identified under s. 1008.25(6)(a), or scored below a Level 3 on the most recent statewide, standardized Mathematics assessment.
(3) PARENT AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PARTICIPATION.—
(a) For an eligible student to receive a scholarship account, the student’s parent must:
1. Submit an application to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization by the deadline established by such organization; and
2. If available, utilize the administrator’s system to make direct purchases of qualifying expenditures, which may include:
a. Instructional materials.
b. Curriculum. As used in this sub-subparagraph, the term “curriculum” means a complete course of study for a particular content area or grade level, including any required supplemental materials and associated online instruction.
c. Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate pursuant to s. 1012.56, a person who holds a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject area, a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate pursuant to s. 1012.57, a person who has demonstrated a mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to s. 1012.56(5), a person who holds a micro-credential under s. 1003.485, or, for a prekindergarten student, a person who holds a credential under s. 1002.55(3)(c)1. or an educational credential under s. 1002.55(4)(a) or (b).
d. Fees for summer education programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or mathematics skills.
e. Fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or mathematics skills.
A provider of any services receiving payments pursuant to this subparagraph may not share any moneys from the scholarship with, or provide a refund or rebate of any moneys from such scholarship to, the parent or participating student in any manner. A parent, student, or provider of any services may not bill an insurance company, Medicaid, or any other agency for the same services that are paid for using scholarship funds.
(b) The parent is responsible for the payment of all eligible expenses in excess of the amount in the account in accordance with the terms agreed to between the parent and any providers and may not receive any refund or rebate of any expenditures made in accordance with paragraph (a).
(4) ADMINISTRATOR.—An eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization as defined in s. 1002.395(2) shall be the administrator and may establish scholarship accounts for eligible students in accordance with the requirements of eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations under this chapter.
(5) DEPARTMENT OBLIGATIONS.—The department shall have the same duties imposed by this chapter upon the department regarding oversight of scholarship programs administered by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
(6) SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PRIVATE PREKINDERGARTEN PROVIDER OBLIGATIONS; PARENTAL OPTIONS.—
(a) Each school district and private prekindergarten provider shall notify the parent of each eligible student of the process to request and receive a scholarship, subject to available funds, when providing results from the standardized coordinated screening and progress monitoring pursuant to s. 1008.25(9)(c).
(b) A school district may not prohibit instructional personnel from providing services pursuant to this section on the instructional personnel’s school campus outside regular work hours, subject to school district policies for safety and security operations to protect students, instructional personnel, and educational facilities.
(7) ACCOUNT FUNDING AND PAYMENT.—
(a) The amount of the scholarship for an eligible student shall be as provided in the General Appropriations Act.
(b) One hundred percent of the funds appropriated for the scholarship accounts shall be released to the department at the beginning of the first quarter of each fiscal year.
(c) Upon a student being determined eligible for a scholarship, the department shall, within 45 days, release the student’s scholarship funds to such organization to be deposited into the student’s account.
(d) Accrued interest in the student’s account is in addition to, and not part of, the awarded funds. Account funds include both the awarded funds and accrued interest.
(e) The eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization may develop a system that permits eligible students to use program funds to make direct purchases of qualifying expenditures. Commodities or services related to the development of such a system shall be procured by competitive solicitation unless they are purchased from a state term contract pursuant to s. 287.056.
(f) Moneys received pursuant to this section do not constitute taxable income to the qualified student or his or her parent.
(g) A student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds shall revert to the state after:
1. Denial or revocation of scholarship eligibility by the commissioner for fraud or abuse, including, but not limited to, the student or student’s parent accepting any payment, refund, or rebate, in any manner, from a provider of any services received pursuant to subsection (3); or
2. Three consecutive fiscal years in which an account has been inactive.
(8) LIABILITY.—No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the award or use of a scholarship account.
(1) DEFINITION.—A “private school” is defined in s. 1002.01.
(2) ANNUAL PRIVATE SCHOOL SURVEY.—
(a) The Department of Education shall organize, maintain, and annually update a database of educational institutions within the state coming within the provisions of this section. There shall be included in the database of each institution the name, address, and telephone number of the institution; the type of institution; the names of administrative officers; the enrollment by grade or special group (e.g., career education and exceptional child education); the number of graduates; the number of instructional and administrative personnel; the number of days the school is in session; and such data as may be needed to meet the provisions of this section and s. 1003.23(2).
(b) For the purpose of organizing, maintaining, and updating this database, each private school shall annually execute and file a database survey form on a date designated by the Department of Education which shall include a notarized statement ascertaining that the owner of the private school has complied with the provisions of paragraph (c). For the purpose of this section, “owner” means any individual who is the chief administrative officer of a private school.
(c)1. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (h), each person who is an owner or who establishes, purchases, or otherwise becomes an owner of a private school shall, within 5 days of assuming ownership of a school, file with the Department of Law Enforcement a complete set of fingerprints for state processing and checking for criminal background. The fingerprints shall be taken by an authorized law enforcement officer or an employee of the school who is trained to take fingerprints. The costs of fingerprinting, criminal records checking, and processing shall be borne by the applicant or private school. The result of the criminal records checking by the Department of Law Enforcement shall be forwarded to the owner of the private school and shall be made available for public inspection in the private school office as soon as it is received.
2. It shall be unlawful for a person who has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude to own or operate a private school.
3. An owner of a private school may require school employees to file a complete set of fingerprints with the Department of Law Enforcement for processing and criminal records checking. Findings from such processing and checking shall be reported to the owner for use in employment decisions.
4. Owners or employees of private schools who have been fingerprinted pursuant to this paragraph, s. 1012.32, or s. 402.3055 shall not be required to be refingerprinted if they have not been unemployed or unassociated with a private school or child care facility for more than 90 days.
5. Persons holding a valid Florida teaching certificate who have been fingerprinted pursuant to s. 1012.35 shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
(d) The data inquiries to be included and answered in the survey required in paragraph (b) shall be limited to matters set forth in paragraph (a). The department shall furnish annually to each school sufficient copies of this form.
(e) To ensure completeness and accuracy of the database, each existing private educational institution falling within the provisions of this section shall notify the Department of Education of any change in the name of the institution, the address, or the chief administrative officer. Each new institution shall notify the department of its establishment.
(f) Annually, the department shall make accessible to the public data on private education in this state. Such data shall include that collected pursuant to paragraph (a) and from other sources.
(g) The failure of any institution to submit the annual database survey form and notarized statement of compliance with the provisions of paragraph (c), as required by this section, shall be judged a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, proper authorities of such institution shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500. Submission of data for a nonexistent school or an institution providing no instruction or training, the purpose of which is to defraud the public, is unlawful and the person or persons responsible commit a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Persons found to be in violation of subparagraph (c)2. commit a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(h) It is the intent of the Legislature not to regulate, control, approve, or accredit private educational institutions, but to create a database where current information may be obtained relative to the educational institutions in this state coming within the provisions of this section as a service to the public, to governmental agencies, and to other interested parties. It is not the intent of the Legislature to regulate, control, or monitor, expressly or implicitly, churches, their ministries, or religious instruction, freedoms, or rites. It is the intent of the Legislature that the annual submission of the database survey by a school shall not be used by that school to imply approval or accreditation by the Department of Education.
(3) RETENTION OF RECORDS.—
(a) As used in this subsection:
1. “Defunct private school” means any private school that has terminated the operation of an education or training program, or that has no students in attendance, or that has dissolved as a business entity.
2. “Student records” means those records, files, documents, and other materials that contain information directly related to students that are maintained by a private school or by a person acting for such institution and that are accessible to other professional personnel to facilitate the instruction, guidance, and educational progress of students. Information contained in student records shall be classified as follows:
a. Permanent information, which includes verified information of clear educational importance, containing the following: student’s full name and any known changes thereto due to marriage or adoption; authenticated birthdate, place of birth, race, and sex; last known address of student; names of student’s parents; name and location of last school attended; number of days present and absent; date enrolled; date withdrawn; courses taken and record of achievement; and date of graduation or program achievement.
b. Temporary information, which includes verified information subject to change, containing, but not limited to, the following: health information, standardized test scores, honors and activities, personal attributes, work experience, teacher and counselor comments, and special reports.
(b) All private schools that become defunct shall transfer all permanent information contained in student records to the district school superintendent of the public school district in which the private school was located; or, if the private school is a member of a private school system or association, such school may transfer such records to the principal office of such system or association, which shall constitute full compliance with this subsection. In the event that such private school system or association becomes defunct, it shall transfer all the permanent information contained in its files to the district school superintendent of the public school district in which the private school was located.
(c) All private schools that become defunct shall notify the Department of Education Office of Private Schools and Home Education Programs of the date of transfer of student records, the location of storage, the custodian of such records, and the number of records to be stored. The department shall act as a clearinghouse and maintain a registry of such transfers of student records.
(d) It is not the intent of the Legislature to limit or restrict the use or possession of any student records while a school is operational, but to facilitate access to academic records by former students seeking to continue their education or training after a private school has become defunct.
(4) ATTENDANCE RECORDS AND REPORTS.—All officials, teachers, and other employees in parochial, religious, denominational, and private schools shall keep and prepare records in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.23(2).
(5) SCHOOL-ENTRY HEALTH EXAMINATIONS.—The governing authority of each private school shall require students to present a certification of a school-entry health examination in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(1) and (2).
(6) IMMUNIZATIONS.—The governing authority of each private school shall:
(a) Require students to present a certification of immunization in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.22(3)-(11).
(b) Provide information on the importance of student health and available immunizations and vaccinations, including, but not limited to:
1. A recommended immunization schedule in accordance with United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
2. Detailed information regarding the causes, symptoms, and transmission of meningococcal disease and the availability, effectiveness, known contraindications, and appropriate age for the administration of any required or recommended vaccine against meningococcal disease, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(7) ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS.—Attendance of a student at a private, parochial, religious, or denominational school satisfies the attendance requirements of ss. 1003.01(16) and 1003.21(1).
(8) ATHLETIC COMPETITION.—A private school may participate in athletic competition with a public high school in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.20(1).
(9) RECEIPT OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.—The Department of Education may disseminate educational materials and sell copies for educational use to private schools pursuant to s. 1006.39.
(10) INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.—District school boards may dispose of instructional materials when they become unserviceable or surplus or are no longer on state contract by giving them to a private school in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.41.
(11) DIAGNOSTIC AND RESOURCE CENTERS.—Diagnostic and resource centers may provide testing and evaluation services to private school students in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03(3).
(12) EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION SERVICES.—District school boards may provide instruction for an appropriate program of special instruction, facilities, and services for exceptional students through contractual arrangements with approved private schools in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.57.
(13) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SYSTEM.—An organization of private schools that has no fewer than 10 member schools in this state may develop a professional learning system to be filed with the Department of Education in accordance with s. 1012.98(7).
(14) BUS DRIVER TRAINING.—Private school bus drivers may participate in a district school board’s bus driver training program, if the district school board makes the program available pursuant to s. 1012.45(4).
(15) POOL PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES.—
(a) Florida private schools that demonstrate a racially nondiscriminatory student admission policy may purchase school buses from the state pool purchase program as authorized in s. 1006.27(1), if the private school meets the following conditions:
1. Students in one or more grades, kindergarten through grade 12, are provided an education program by the school and the school has submitted the information required pursuant to this section and the most recent school survey required in subsection (2).
2. All conditions of the contracts for purchasing school buses between the Department of Education and the companies involved, including bus specifications, ordering deadlines, delivery period and procedures, and payment requirements, shall be met.
3. Purchase orders shall be made out to the appropriate company or companies involved and shall be accompanied by a certified check in the amount of 25 percent of the total cost of the bus or buses as a good faith deposit that the bus or buses will be purchased.
4. The remainder of the total cost shall be paid upon delivery of the bus or buses to the representative of the private school receiving the bus or buses, or shall be paid when the company informs the purchaser that the buses are ready for delivery if the purchaser has specified that buses are to be picked up at the company’s location. If the chassis and the body are purchased from different companies, the remainder of the chassis’ total cost shall be payable upon delivery of the chassis to the body manufacturer.
5. If the private school does not meet the obligation stated in subparagraph 4. within 30 calendar days after notice that the bus is ready for delivery or that the chassis has been delivered to the body manufacturer, the selling company may retain 15 percent of the amount being held by the company as a good faith deposit, and all obligations to the private school may be canceled. When the 15 percent is retained, the company shall return 10 percent of the good faith deposit to the nonpublic school within 15 days of cancellation of the companies’ objection.
(b) Any bus purchased under this section may not be sold, if still titled as a motor vehicle, within 5 calendar years of the date of the initial Florida title being issued, unless the following conditions are met:
1. The bus or buses may be sold only to a Florida public school district or Florida private school. Any such sale during the first 5 years shall be documented to the Department of Education within 15 days after the sale.
2. The bus or buses shall be advertised by the private school in one major newspaper located in each of the five regions of the state for 3 consecutive days and a copy of the advertisement and the name of each newspaper shall be sent to the Department of Education before the first day of advertising the bus or buses for sale.
3. The bus may not be sold at a profit. The bus shall be depreciated at a rate of 10 percent per calendar year, with the first year starting on the date of issue of the initial title in this state.
4. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law and rule regarding purchase of used school buses, the bus may be sold to a public school district if the conditions of subparagraph 3. are met.
5. Any public school district or private school purchasing a bus under the conditions of this subsection must accept the obligations of this subsection, and such shall be entered in the sales contract.
(c) Any private school, including the owner or corporation purchasing a bus or buses under the conditions of this section, that does not comply with all the conditions of this section shall not be eligible for future purchases of a school bus under this section.
(d) Any private school interested in purchasing a bus under this section shall notify, in writing, the Department of Education. The Department of Education shall send the school the appropriate forms, instructions, and price quotations.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, no school bus manufacturer, distributor, or dealer shall be required to violate any dealer contract or franchise agreement entered into before the effective date of this section regarding the sale of its buses.
(f) The State Board of Education may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536 and 120.54 necessary to implement this section, maintain the integrity of the school bus pool purchase program, and ensure the best and lowest price for purchasing school buses by the public school districts.
(16) EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.—The emergency response agencies identified in a district school board’s emergency response policy pursuant to s. 1006.07(4) which are responsible for notifying the school district of an occurrence that threatens student safety shall also notify private schools in the district that request such notification by opting into the district school board’s emergency notification procedures.
(17) EPINEPHRINE SUPPLY.—
(a) A private school may purchase a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors from a wholesale distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for the epinephrine auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced prices for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The epinephrine auto-injectors must be maintained in a secure location on the private school’s premises. The participating private school shall adopt a protocol developed by a licensed physician for the administration by private school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic reaction and to administer an epinephrine auto-injection. The supply of epinephrine auto-injectors may be provided to and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector under s. 1002.20(3)(i) or trained school personnel.
(b) The private school and its employees, agents, and the physician who provides the standing protocol for school epinephrine auto-injectors are not liable for any injury arising from the use of an epinephrine auto-injector administered by trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and whose professional opinion is that the student is having an anaphylactic reaction:
1. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful and wanton;
2. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging that the school district is not liable; and
3. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
(18) SHORT-ACTING BRONCHODILATOR USE.—
(a) As used in this paragraph, the term:
1. “Administer” means to give or directly apply a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a student.
2. “Asthma” means a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, which can manifest as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.
3. “Authorized health care practitioner” means a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 464.
4. “Components” means devices used as part of clinically recommended use of short-acting bronchodilators, which may include spacers, valved holding chambers, or nebulizers.
5. “Respiratory distress” refers to an individual experiencing difficulty breathing, which can be caused by a multitude of medical factors, including chronic diseases such as asthma.
6. “Short-acting bronchodilator” means a beta-2 agonist, such as albuterol, used for the quick relief of asthma symptoms and recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Guidelines for the Treatment of Asthma. These bronchodilators may include an orally inhaled medication that contains a premeasured single dose of albuterol or albuterol sulfate delivered by a nebulizer or compressor device or by a pressured metered-dose inhaler used to treat respiratory distress, including, but not limited to, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing, or another dosage of a short-acting bronchodilator recommended in the Guidelines for the Treatment of Asthma.
(b) Asthmatic students whose parent and physician provide their approval to the school principal may carry a short-acting bronchodilator and components on their person while in school. The school principal shall be provided a copy of the parent’s and physician’s approval.
(c) An authorized health care practitioner may prescribe short-acting bronchodilators and components in the name of a private school for use in accordance with this section, and a licensed pharmacist may dispense short-acting bronchodilators and components pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of a private school for use in accordance with this section.
(d) A private school may acquire and stock a supply of short-acting bronchodilators and components from a wholesale distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as defined in s. 499.003 for short-acting bronchodilators and components at fair-market, free, or reduced prices pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section. The short-acting bronchodilators and components must be maintained in a secure location on the school premises.
(e) A participating private school must adopt a protocol developed by a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 for the administration of short-acting bronchodilators or components by school personnel who are trained to recognize symptoms of respiratory distress and to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components. The protocol must provide guidance for administering short-acting bronchodilators or components in instances of respiratory distress for a student with a known diagnosis of asthma and if approved by the private school for students with no known diagnosis of asthma.
(f) The supply of short-acting bronchodilators and components may be provided to and used by a trained school personnel member or a student authorized to self-administer a short-acting bronchodilator and components.
(g) A private school may accept short-acting bronchodilators and components as a donation or transfer if they are new, unexpired, manufacturer-sealed, not subject to recall, unadulterated, and in compliance with relevant regulations adopted by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
(h) A school nurse or trained school personnel shall only administer short-acting bronchodilators and components to students if they have successfully completed training and believe in good faith that the student is experiencing respiratory distress, regardless of whether the student has a prescription for a short-acting bronchodilator and components or has previously been diagnosed with asthma.
(i) The private school shall provide written notice to the parent of each student enrolled in the private school of the school’s adopted protocol. The private school must receive prior permission from the parent or guardian to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components to a student.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a school nurse or school personnel of a private school trained in the administration of a short-acting bronchodilator and components who administer or attempt to administer a short-acting bronchodilator or components in compliance with this section and s. 768.13 and the private school that employs the school nurse or the trained school personnel are immune from civil or criminal liability as a result of such administration or attempted administration of a short-acting bronchodilator or components.
(k)1. An authorized health care practitioner, acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care, is not subject to discipline or other adverse action under any professional licensure statute or rule and is immune from any civil or criminal liability as a result of prescribing a short-acting bronchodilator or components in accordance with this section.
2. A dispensing health care practitioner or pharmacist, acting in good faith and exercising reasonable care, is not subject to discipline or other adverse action under any professional licensure statute or rule and is immune from any civil or criminal liability as a result of dispensing a short-acting bronchodilator or components in accordance with this section.
(19) FACILITIES.—
(a) A private school may use facilities on property owned or leased by a library, community service organization, museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema, or church facility under s. 170.201, which is or was actively used as such within 5 years of any executed agreement with a private school to use the facilities; any facility or land owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any similar public institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305, under any such facility’s preexisting zoning and land use designations without rezoning or obtaining a special exception or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation requirements or conditions. The facility must be located on property used solely for purposes described in this paragraph, and must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety and building safety.
(b) A private school may use facilities on property purchased from a library, community service organization, museum, performing arts venue, theater, cinema, or church facility under s. 170.201, which is actively or was actively used as such within 5 years of any executed agreement with a private school to purchase the facilities; any facility or land owned by a Florida College System institution or university; any similar public institutional facilities; and any facility recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305, under any such facility’s preexisting zoning and land use designations without obtaining a special exception, rezoning, or a land use change, and without complying with any mitigation requirements or conditions. The facility must be located on property used solely for purposes described in this paragraph, and must meet applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including firesafety and building safety.
(20) SAFE SCHOOL OFFICERS.—
(a) A private school may partner with a law enforcement agency or a security agency to establish or assign one or more safe-school officers established in s. 1006.12(1)-(4). The private school is responsible for the full cost of implementing any such option, which includes all training costs under the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program under s. 30.15(1)(k).
(b) A private school that establishes a safe-school officer must comply with the requirements of s. 1006.12. References to a school district, district school board, or district school superintendent in s. 1006.12(1)-(5) shall also mean a private school governing board or private school head of school, as applicable. References to a school district employee in s. 1006.12(3) shall also mean a private school employee.
(c) Any information that may identify whether a particular individual has been assigned as a safe-school officer pursuant to s. 1006.12 at a private school and that is held by a law enforcement agency is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This paragraph is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
1002.421 State school choice scholarship program accountability and oversight.—
(1) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—A private school participating in an educational scholarship program established pursuant to this chapter must be a private school as defined in s. 1002.01 in this state, be registered, and be in compliance with all requirements of this section in addition to private school requirements outlined in s. 1002.42, specific requirements identified within respective scholarship program laws, and other provisions of Florida law that apply to private schools, and must:
(a) Comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d.
(b) Notify the department of its intent to participate in a scholarship program.
(c) Notify the department of any change in the school’s name, school director, mailing address, or physical location within 15 days after the change.
(d) Provide to the department or scholarship-funding organization all documentation required for a student’s participation, including the private school’s and student’s individual fee schedule, and attendance verification as required by the department or scholarship-funding organization, prior to scholarship payment.
(e) Annually complete and submit to the department a notarized scholarship compliance statement certifying that all school employees and contracted personnel with direct student contact have undergone background screening pursuant to s. 435.12 and have met the screening standards as provided in s. 435.04.
(f) Demonstrate fiscal soundness and accountability by:
1. Being in operation for at least 3 school years or obtaining a surety bond or letter of credit for the amount equal to the scholarship funds for any quarter and filing the surety bond or letter of credit with the department.
2. Requiring the parent of each scholarship student to personally restrictively endorse the scholarship warrant to the school or to approve a funds transfer before any funds are deposited for a student. The school may not act as attorney in fact for the parent of a scholarship student under the authority of a power of attorney executed by such parent, or under any other authority, to endorse a scholarship warrant or approve a funds transfer on behalf of such parent.
(g) Meet applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including:
1. Firesafety.
2. Building safety.
(h) Employ or contract with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees, have at least 3 years of teaching experience in public or private schools, or have special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught.
(i) Maintain a physical location in the state at which each student has regular and direct contact with teachers. Regular and direct contact with teachers may be satisfied for students enrolled in a personalized education program if students have regular and direct contact with teachers at the physical location at least 2 school days per week and the student learning plan addresses the remaining instructional time.
(j) Publish on the school’s website, or provide in a written format, information for parents regarding the school, including, but not limited to, programs, services, the qualifications of classroom teachers, and a statement that a parentally placed private school student with a disability does not have an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive if enrolled in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended.
(k) At a minimum, provide the parent of each scholarship student with a written explanation of the student’s progress on a quarterly basis.
(l) Cooperate with a student whose parent chooses to participate in the statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22.
(m) Require each employee and contracted personnel with direct student contact, upon employment or engagement to provide services, to undergo a state and national background screening, pursuant to s. 943.0542, by electronically filing with the Department of Law Enforcement a complete set of fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement agency or an employee of the private school, a school district, or a private company who is trained to take fingerprints and deny employment to or terminate an employee if he or she fails to meet the screening standards under s. 435.04. Results of the screening shall be provided to the participating private school. For purposes of this paragraph:
1. An “employee or contracted personnel with direct student contact” means any employee or contracted personnel who has unsupervised access to a scholarship student for whom the private school is responsible.
2. The costs of fingerprinting and the background check shall not be borne by the state.
3. Continued employment of an employee or contracted personnel after notification that he or she has failed the background screening under this paragraph shall cause a private school to be ineligible for participation in a scholarship program.
4. An employee or contracted personnel holding a valid Florida teaching certificate who has been fingerprinted pursuant to s. 1012.32 is not required to comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
5. All fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement as required by this section shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement in a manner provided by rule and entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b). Such fingerprints shall thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051.
6. The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all arrest fingerprints received under s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system under subparagraph 5. Any arrest record that is identified with the retained fingerprints of a person subject to the background screening under this section shall be reported to the employing school with which the person is affiliated. Each private school participating in a scholarship program is required to participate in this search process by informing the Department of Law Enforcement of any change in the employment or contractual status of its personnel whose fingerprints are retained under subparagraph 5. The Department of Law Enforcement shall adopt a rule setting the amount of the annual fee to be imposed upon each private school for performing these searches and establishing the procedures for the retention of private school employee and contracted personnel fingerprints and the dissemination of search results. The fee may be borne by the private school or the person fingerprinted.
7. Employees and contracted personnel whose fingerprints are not retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraphs 5. and 6. are required to be refingerprinted and must meet state and national background screening requirements upon reemployment or reengagement to provide services in order to comply with the requirements of this section.
8. Every 5 years following employment or engagement to provide services with a private school, employees or contracted personnel required to be screened under this section must meet screening standards under s. 435.04, at which time the private school shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing. If the fingerprints of employees or contracted personnel are not retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 5., employees and contracted personnel must electronically file a complete set of fingerprints with the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon submission of fingerprints for this purpose, the private school shall request that the Department of Law Enforcement forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing, and the fingerprints shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 5.
(n) Adopt policies establishing standards of ethical conduct for educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators. The policies must require all educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, to complete training on the standards; establish the duty of educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators to report, and procedures for reporting, alleged misconduct by other educational support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student; and include an explanation of the liability protections provided under ss. 39.203 and 768.095. A private school, or any of its employees, may not enter into a confidentiality agreement regarding terminated or dismissed educational support employees, instructional personnel, or school administrators, or employees, personnel, or administrators who resign in lieu of termination, based in whole or in part on misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student, and may not provide the employees, personnel, or administrators with employment references or discuss the employees’, personnel’s, or administrators’ performance with prospective employers in another educational setting, without disclosing the employees’, personnel’s, or administrators’ misconduct. Any part of an agreement or contract that has the purpose or effect of concealing misconduct by educational support employees, instructional personnel, or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student is void, is contrary to public policy, and may not be enforced.
(o) Before employing a person in any position that requires direct contact with students, conduct employment history checks of previous employers, screen the person through use of the screening tools described in s. 1001.10(5), and document the findings. If unable to contact a previous employer, the private school must document efforts to contact the employer. The private school may not employ a person whose educator certificate is revoked, who is barred from reapplying for an educator certificate, or who is on the disqualification list maintained by the department pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b).
(p) Require each owner or operator of the private school, prior to employment or engagement to provide services, to undergo level 2 background screening as provided under chapter 435. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “owner or operator” means an owner, operator, superintendent, or principal of, or a person with equivalent decisionmaking authority over, a private school participating in a scholarship program established pursuant to this chapter. The fingerprints for the background screening must be electronically submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement and may be taken by an authorized law enforcement agency or a private company who is trained to take fingerprints. However, the complete set of fingerprints of an owner or operator may not be taken by the owner or operator. The owner or operator shall provide a copy of the results of the state and national criminal history check to the Department of Education. The cost of the background screening may be borne by the owner or operator.
1. Every 5 years following employment or engagement to provide services, each owner or operator must meet level 2 screening standards as described in s. 435.04, at which time the owner or operator shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for level 2 screening. If the fingerprints of an owner or operator are not retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 2., the owner or operator must electronically file a complete set of fingerprints with the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon submission of fingerprints for this purpose, the owner or operator shall request that the Department of Law Enforcement forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for level 2 screening, and the fingerprints shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under subparagraph 2.
2. Fingerprints submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement as required by this paragraph must be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement in a manner approved by rule and entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b). The fingerprints must thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprints entered in the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 943.051.
3. The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all arrest fingerprints received under s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated biometric identification system under subparagraph 2. Any arrest record that is identified with an owner’s or operator’s fingerprints must be reported to the owner or operator, who must report to the Department of Education. Any costs associated with the search shall be borne by the owner or operator.
4. An owner or operator who fails the level 2 background screening is not eligible to participate in a scholarship program under this chapter.
5. In addition to the offenses listed in s. 435.04, a person required to undergo background screening pursuant to this part or authorizing statutes may not have an arrest awaiting final disposition for, must not have been found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, and must not have been adjudicated delinquent for, and the record must not have been sealed or expunged for, any of the following offenses or any similar offense of another jurisdiction:
a. Any authorizing statutes, if the offense was a felony.
b. This chapter, if the offense was a felony.
c. Section 409.920, relating to Medicaid provider fraud.
d. Section 409.9201, relating to Medicaid fraud.
e. Section 741.28, relating to domestic violence.
f. Section 817.034, relating to fraudulent acts through mail, wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photooptical systems.
g. Section 817.234, relating to false and fraudulent insurance claims.
h. Section 817.505, relating to patient brokering.
i. Section 817.568, relating to criminal use of personal identification information.
j. Section 817.60, relating to obtaining a credit card through fraudulent means.
k. Section 817.61, relating to fraudulent use of credit cards, if the offense was a felony.
l. Section 831.01, relating to forgery.
m. Section 831.02, relating to uttering forged instruments.
n. Section 831.07, relating to forging bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.
o. Section 831.09, relating to uttering forged bank bills, checks, drafts, or promissory notes.
p. Section 831.30, relating to fraud in obtaining medicinal drugs.
q. Section 831.31, relating to the sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession with the intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver any counterfeit controlled substance, if the offense was a felony.
6. At least 30 calendar days before a transfer of ownership of a private school, the owner or operator shall notify the parent of each scholarship student.
7. The owner or operator of a private school that has been deemed ineligible to participate in a scholarship program pursuant to this chapter may not transfer ownership or management authority of the school to a relative in order to participate in a scholarship program as the same school or a new school. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “relative” means father, mother, son, daughter, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
(q) Provide a report from an independent certified public accountant who performs the agreed-upon procedures developed pursuant to s. 1002.395(6)(q) if the private school receives more than $250,000 in funds from scholarships awarded under this chapter in a state fiscal year. A private school subject to this subsection must annually submit the report by September 15 to the scholarship-funding organization that awarded the majority of the school’s scholarship funds. The agreed-upon procedures must be conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
(r) Prohibit education support employees, instructional personnel, and school administrators from employment in any position that requires direct contact with students if the personnel or administrators are ineligible for such employment pursuant to this section or s. 1012.315, or have been terminated or have resigned in lieu of termination for sexual misconduct with a student. If the prohibited conduct occurs subsequent to employment, the private school must report the person and the disqualifying circumstances to the department for inclusion on the disqualification list maintained pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b).
(s) Not be owned or operated by a person or an entity domiciled in, owned by, or in any way controlled by a foreign country of concern or foreign principal as defined in s. 288.860. A violation of this paragraph constitutes an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the school’s students and to the public, sufficient to justify immediate suspension of payment of scholarship funds under paragraph (3)(e), as well as denial, suspension, or revocation of a school’s participation in a scholarship program under paragraph (3)(b).
The department shall suspend the payment of funds to a private school that knowingly fails to comply with this subsection, and shall prohibit the school from enrolling new scholarship students, for 1 fiscal year and until the school complies. If a private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection or has consecutive years of material exceptions listed in the report required under paragraph (q), the commissioner may determine that the private school is ineligible to participate in a scholarship program.
(2) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OBLIGATIONS.—
(a) The Department of Education shall:
1. Annually verify the eligibility of private schools that meet the requirements of this section, specific requirements identified within respective scholarship program laws, and other provisions of state law that apply to private schools.
2. Establish a toll-free hotline that provides parents and private schools with information on participation in the scholarship programs.
3. Establish a process by which individuals may notify the department of any violation by a parent, private school, or school district of state laws relating to program participation. If the department has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this section or any rule adopted by the State Board of Education has occurred, it shall conduct an inquiry or make a referral to the appropriate agency for an investigation. A department inquiry is not subject to the requirements of chapter 120.
4. Require an annual, notarized, sworn compliance statement from participating private schools certifying compliance with state laws, and retain such records.
5. Coordinate with the entities conducting the health inspection for a private school to obtain copies of the inspection reports.
6. Conduct site visits to private schools entering a scholarship program for the first time. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, a private school is not eligible to receive scholarship payments until a satisfactory site visit has been conducted and the school is in compliance with all other requirements of this section.
7. Coordinate with the State Fire Marshal to obtain access to fire inspection reports for private schools. The authority conducting the fire safety inspection shall certify to the State Fire Marshal that the annual inspection has been completed and that the school is in full compliance. The certification shall be made electronically or by such other means as directed by the State Fire Marshal.
8. Upon the request of a participating private school authorized to administer statewide assessments, provide at no cost to the school the statewide assessments administered under s. 1008.22 and any related materials for administering the assessments. Students at a private school may be assessed using the statewide assessments if the addition of those students and the school does not cause the state to exceed its contractual caps for the number of students tested and the number of testing sites. The state shall provide the same materials and support to a private school that it provides to a public school. A private school that chooses to administer statewide assessments under s. 1008.22 shall follow the requirements set forth in ss. 1008.22 and 1008.24, rules adopted by the State Board of Education to implement those sections, and district-level testing policies established by the district school board.
(b) The department may conduct site visits to any private school participating in a scholarship program pursuant to this chapter that has received a complaint about a violation of state law or state board rule pursuant to subparagraph (a)3. or has received a notice of noncompliance or a notice of proposed action within the previous 2 years.
(c) Annually, by December 15, the department shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives its actions in implementing accountability in the scholarship programs under this section, any substantiated allegations or violations of law or rule by an eligible private school under this section, and the corrective action taken.
(3) COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—The Commissioner of Education:
(a) Shall deny, suspend, or revoke a private school’s participation in a scholarship program if it is determined that the private school has failed to comply with this section or exhibits a previous pattern of failure to comply. However, if the noncompliance is correctable within a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 45 days, and if the health, safety, or welfare of the students is not threatened, the commissioner may issue a notice of noncompliance which provides the private school with a timeframe within which to provide evidence of compliance before taking action to suspend or revoke the private school’s participation in the scholarship program.
(b) May deny, suspend, or revoke a private school’s participation in a scholarship program if the commissioner determines that an owner or operator of the private school is operating or has operated an educational institution in this state or in another state or jurisdiction in a manner contrary to the health, safety, or welfare of the public or if the owner or operator has exhibited a previous pattern of failure to comply with this section or specific requirements identified within respective scholarship program laws. For purposes of this subsection, the term “owner or operator” has the same meaning as provided in paragraph (1)(p).
(c) May permanently deny or revoke the authority of an owner, officer, or director to establish or operate a private school in the state and include such individual on the disqualification list maintained by the department pursuant to s. 1001.10(4)(b) if the commissioner decides that the owner, officer, or director:
1. Is operating or has operated an educational institution in the state or another state or jurisdiction in a manner contrary to the health, safety, or welfare of the public; or
2. Has operated an educational institution that closed during the school year. An individual may be removed from the disqualification list if the individual reimburses the department or eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization the amount of scholarship funds received by the educational institution during the school year in which it closed.
(d)1. In making such a determination, may consider factors that include, but are not limited to, acts or omissions by an owner or operator which led to a previous denial, suspension, or revocation of participation in a state or federal education scholarship program; an owner’s or operator’s failure to reimburse the department or scholarship-funding organization for scholarship funds improperly received or retained by a school; the imposition of a prior criminal sanction related to an owner’s or operator’s management or operation of an educational institution; the imposition of a civil fine or administrative fine, license revocation or suspension, or program eligibility suspension, termination, or revocation related to an owner’s or operator’s management or operation of an educational institution; or other types of criminal proceedings in which an owner or operator was found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any offense involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.
2. The commissioner’s determination is subject to the following:
a. If the commissioner intends to deny, suspend, or revoke a private school’s participation in the scholarship program, the department shall notify the private school of such proposed action in writing by certified mail and regular mail to the private school’s address of record with the department. The notification shall include the reasons for the proposed action and notice of the timelines and procedures set forth in this paragraph.
b. The private school that is adversely affected by the proposed action shall have 15 days after receipt of the notice of proposed action to file with the department’s agency clerk a request for a proceeding pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57. If the private school is entitled to a hearing under s. 120.57(1), the department shall forward the request to the Division of Administrative Hearings.
c. Upon receipt of a request referred pursuant to this subparagraph, the director of the Division of Administrative Hearings shall expedite the hearing and assign an administrative law judge who shall commence a hearing within 30 days after the receipt of the formal written request by the division and enter a recommended order within 30 days after the hearing or within 30 days after receipt of the hearing transcript, whichever is later. Each party shall be allowed 10 days in which to submit written exceptions to the recommended order. A final order shall be entered by the agency within 30 days after the entry of a recommended order. The provisions of this sub-subparagraph may be waived upon stipulation by all parties.
(e) May immediately suspend payment of scholarship funds if it is determined that there is probable cause to believe that there is:
1. An imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the students;
2. A previous pattern of failure to comply with this section; or
3. Fraudulent activity on the part of the private school. Notwithstanding s. 1002.22, in incidents of alleged fraudulent activity pursuant to this section, the department’s Office of Inspector General is authorized to release personally identifiable records or reports of students to the following persons or organizations:
a. A court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with an order of that court or the attorney of record in accordance with a lawfully issued subpoena, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g.
b. A person or entity authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with an order of that court or the attorney of record pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g.
c. Any person, entity, or authority issuing a subpoena for law enforcement purposes when the court or other issuing agency has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or the information furnished in response to the subpoena not be disclosed, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g, and 34 C.F.R. s. 99.31.
The commissioner’s order suspending payment pursuant to this paragraph may be appealed pursuant to the same procedures and timelines as the notice of proposed action set forth in subparagraph (d)2.
(4) The inclusion of eligible private schools within options available to Florida public school students does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or any school district to impose any additional regulation of private schools beyond those reasonably necessary to enforce requirements expressly set forth in this section.
(5) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section, including rules to establish a deadline for private school applications for participation and timelines for the department to conduct site visits.
(1) Regular school attendance as defined in s. 1003.01(16) may be achieved by attendance in a private tutoring program if the person tutoring the student meets the following requirements:
(a) Holds a valid Florida certificate to teach the subjects or grades in which instruction is given.
(b) Keeps all records and makes all reports required by the state and district school board and makes regular reports on the attendance of students in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.23(2).
(c) Requires students to be in actual attendance for the minimum length of time prescribed by s. 1011.60(2).
(2) Private tutors shall keep and prepare records in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.23(2).
(3) Private tutoring may be provided to up to 25 students in any commercial building with a valid certificate of occupancy, library, community service, museum, performing arts, theater, cinema, or church facility; in any facility or on any land owned by a Florida College System institution or university; in any similar public institution facility; and in any facility recently used to house a school or child care facility licensed under s. 402.305 within the preexisting zoning and land use designations of the facility without obtaining a special exception, rezoning, or a land use change so long as the provision of such tutoring meets all applicable state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, and rules, including those pertaining to firesafety and building safety.
(1) Any public school in this state, including a charter school, may enroll a student who meets the regular school attendance criteria in s. 1003.01(16)(b)-(f) on a part-time basis, subject to space and availability according to the school’s capacity determined pursuant to s. 1002.31(2)(b).
(2) A student attending a public school on a part-time basis pursuant to this section shall generate full-time equivalent student membership as described in s. 1011.61(1)(b). A student receiving a scholarship under this chapter who attends a public school on a part-time basis through contracted services provided by the public school or school district may not be reported for funding.
(3) A student attending a public school on a part-time basis pursuant to this section is not considered to be in regular attendance at a public school as defined in s. 1003.01(16)(a).
1. “Approved virtual instruction program provider” means a provider that is approved by the State Board of Education under subsection (2), the Florida Virtual School, a franchise of the Florida Virtual School, or a Florida College System institution.
2. “Department” means the Department of Education.
3. “Virtual instruction program” means a program of instruction provided in an interactive learning environment created through technology in which students are separated from their teachers by time or space, or both.
(b) To provide students residing within the school district the option of participating in virtual instruction programs, a school district may:
1. Contract with the Florida Virtual School or establish a franchise of the Florida Virtual School pursuant to s. 1002.37(2).
2. Contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider under subsection (2).
3. Enter into an agreement with other school districts to allow the participation of its students in an approved virtual instruction program provided by the other school district. The agreement must indicate a process for the transfer of funds required by paragraph (6)(b).
4. Establish school district operated part-time or full-time kindergarten through grade 12 virtual instruction programs.
5. Enter into an agreement with a virtual charter school authorized by the school district under s. 1002.33.
Contracts under subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. may include multidistrict contractual arrangements executed by a regional consortium service organization established pursuant to s. 1001.451 for its member districts. A multidistrict contractual arrangement or an agreement under subparagraph 3. is not subject to s. 1001.42(4)(d) and does not require the participating school districts to be contiguous.
(c) A virtual charter school may provide full-time or part-time virtual instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 12 residing within the school district sponsoring the virtual charter school if the virtual charter school has a charter approved pursuant to s. 1002.33. A virtual charter school may:
1. Contract with the Florida Virtual School.
2. Contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider under subsection (2).
3. Enter into an agreement with a school district to allow the participation of the virtual charter school’s students in the school district’s virtual instruction program. The agreement must indicate a process for reporting of student enrollment and the transfer of funds required by paragraph (6)(b).
(d) Each school district shall:
1. Provide to the department by each October 1 a copy of each contract and the amount paid per unweighted full-time equivalent virtual student for services procured pursuant to subparagraphs (b)1. and 2.
2. Expend any difference in the amount of funds per unweighted full-time equivalent virtual student allocated to the school district pursuant to subsection (6) and the amount paid per unweighted full-time equivalent virtual student by the school district for a contract executed pursuant to subparagraph (b)1. or subparagraph (b)2. on acquiring computer and device hardware and associated operating system software that comply with the requirements of s. 1001.20(4)(a)1.b.
3. Provide to the department by September 1 of each year an itemized list of items acquired in subparagraph 2.
4. Limit the enrollment of full-time equivalent virtual students residing outside of the school district providing the virtual instruction pursuant to paragraph (b) to no more than those that can be funded from state Florida Education Finance Program funds.
(2) PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS.—
(a) The department shall annually publish on its website a list of providers approved by the State Board of Education to offer virtual instruction programs. To be approved, a virtual instruction program provider must document that it:
1. Complies with the antidiscrimination provisions of s. 1000.05;
2. Locates an administrative office or offices in this state, requires its administrative staff to be state residents, requires all instructional staff to be Florida-certified teachers under chapter 1012 and conducts background screenings for all employees or contracted personnel, as required by s. 1012.32, using state and national criminal history records;
3. Electronically provides to parents and students specific information that includes, but is not limited to, the following teacher-parent and teacher-student contact information for each course:
a. How to contact the instructor via phone, e-mail, or online messaging tools.
b. How to contact technical support via phone, e-mail, or online messaging tools.
c. How to contact the administration office via phone, e-mail, or online messaging tools.
d. Any requirement for regular contact with the instructor for the course and clear expectations for meeting the requirement.
e. The requirement that the instructor in each course must, at a minimum, conduct one contact with the parent and the student each month;
4. Possesses prior, successful experience offering virtual instruction courses to elementary, middle, or high school students as demonstrated by quantified student learning gains in each subject area and grade level provided for consideration as an instructional program option. However, for a virtual instruction program provider without sufficient prior, successful experience offering online courses, the State Board of Education may conditionally approve the virtual instruction program provider to offer courses measured pursuant to subparagraph (7)(a)2. Conditional approval shall be valid for 1 school year only and, based on the virtual instruction program provider’s experience in offering the courses, the State Board of Education may grant approval to offer a virtual instruction program;
5. Is accredited by a regional accrediting association as defined by State Board of Education rule;
6. Ensures instructional and curricular quality through a detailed curriculum and student performance accountability plan that addresses every subject and grade level it intends to provide through contract with the school district, including:
a. Courses and programs that meet the standards of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning and the Southern Regional Education Board.
b. Instructional content and services that align with, and measure student attainment of, student proficiency in the state academic standards.
c. Mechanisms that determine and ensure that a student has satisfied requirements for grade level promotion and high school graduation with a standard diploma, as appropriate;
7. Publishes, in accordance with disclosure requirements adopted in rule by the State Board of Education, as part of its application as an approved virtual instruction program provider and in all contracts negotiated pursuant to this section:
a. Information and data about the curriculum of each full-time and part-time virtual instruction program.
b. School policies and procedures.
c. Certification status and physical location of all administrative and instructional personnel.
d. Hours and times of availability of instructional personnel.
e. Student-teacher ratios.
f. Student completion and promotion rates.
g. Student, educator, and school performance accountability outcomes;
8. If the approved virtual instruction program provider is a Florida College System institution, employs instructors who meet the certification requirements for instructional staff under chapter 1012; and
9. Performs an annual financial audit of its accounts and records conducted by an independent auditor who is a certified public accountant licensed under chapter 473. The independent auditor shall conduct the audit in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General and in compliance with generally accepted auditing standards, and include a report on financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The audit report shall be accompanied by a written statement from the approved virtual instruction program provider in response to any deficiencies identified within the audit report and shall be submitted by the approved virtual instruction program provider to the State Board of Education and the Auditor General no later than 9 months after the end of the preceding fiscal year.
(b) An approved virtual instruction program provider that maintains compliance with all requirements of this section shall retain its approved status for a period of 3 school years after the date of approval by the State Board of Education.
(3) VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.—Each virtual instruction program under this section must:
(a) Align virtual course curriculum and course content to the state academic standards under s. 1003.41.
(b) Offer instruction that is designed to enable a student to gain proficiency in each virtual instruction course of study.
(c) Provide each student enrolled in the virtual instruction program with all the necessary instructional materials.
(d) Provide each full-time student enrolled in the virtual instruction program who qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunches under the National School Lunch Act, or who is on the direct certification list, and who does not have a computer or Internet access in his or her home with:
1. All equipment necessary for participants in the virtual instruction program, including, but not limited to, a computer, computer monitor, and printer, if a printer is necessary to participate in the virtual instruction program; and
2. Access to or reimbursement for all Internet services necessary for online delivery of instruction.
A school district may provide each full-time student enrolled in the virtual instruction program with the equipment and access necessary for participation in the program.
(e) Not require tuition or student registration fees.
(4) CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.—Each contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider must, at minimum:
(a) Set forth a detailed curriculum plan that illustrates how students will be provided services and be measured for attainment of proficiency in the state academic standards for each grade level and subject.
(b) Provide a method for determining that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation in s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 if the contract is for the provision of a full-time virtual instruction program to students in grades 9 through 12.
(c) Specify a method for resolving conflicts among the parties.
(d) Specify authorized reasons for termination of the contract.
(e) Require the approved virtual instruction program provider to be responsible for all debts of the virtual instruction program if the contract is not renewed or is terminated.
(f) Require the approved virtual instruction program provider to comply with all requirements of this section.
(g) Require the approved virtual instruction program provider to submit a concise, uniform, monthly financial statement summary sheet in a form prescribed by the department.
(h) Provide the current incoming baseline standard of student academic achievement, the outcomes to be achieved, the method of measurement that will be used, and a detailed description of:
1. How the baseline student academic achievement levels and prior rates of academic progress will be established.
2. How these baseline rates will be compared to rates of academic progress achieved by the same students while enrolled in the virtual instruction program.
3. To the extent possible, how the rates of progress will be evaluated and compared with rates of progress of other closely comparable student populations.
(i) Require the approved virtual instruction program provider to annually submit an accountability report that contains demographic information and student achievement performance data, that links baseline student data to the provider performance projections identified in the contract.
A contracting school district shall facilitate compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (h) and (i).
(5) STUDENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.—Each student enrolled in the school district’s virtual instruction program authorized pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) must:
(a) Comply with the compulsory attendance requirements of s. 1003.21. Student attendance must be verified by the school district.
(b) Take statewide assessments pursuant to s. 1008.22 and participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system under s. 1008.25(9). Statewide assessments and progress monitoring may be administered within the school district in which such student resides or as specified in the contract under s. 1008.24(3). If requested by the approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter school, the district of residence must provide the student with access to the district’s testing facilities. It is the responsibility of the approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter school to provide a list of students to be administered statewide assessments and progress monitoring to the school district, including the students’ names, Florida Education Identifiers, grade levels, assessments and progress monitoring to be administered, and contact information. Unless an alternative testing site is mutually agreed to by the approved virtual instruction program provider or virtual charter school and the school district, or as specified in the contract under s. 1008.24, all assessments and progress monitoring must be taken at the school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance policies. A school district must provide the student with access to the school’s or district’s testing facilities and provide the student with the date and time of the administration of each assessment and progress monitoring.
(6) VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING.—
(a) All virtual instruction programs established pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) are subject to the requirements of s. 1011.61(1)(c)1.b.(III), (IV), (VI), and (4), and the school district providing the virtual instruction program shall report the full-time equivalent students in a manner prescribed by the department. A school district may report a full-time equivalent student for credit earned by a student who is enrolled in a virtual instruction course provided by the district which was completed after the end of the regular school year if the full-time equivalent student is reported no later than the deadline for amending the final full-time equivalent student membership report for that year.
(b) Students enrolled in a virtual instruction program shall be funded in the Florida Education Finance Program as provided in the General Appropriations Act. The calculation to determine the amount of funds for each student through the Florida Education Finance Program shall include the sum of the basic amount for current operations established in s. 1011.62(1)(s) and all categorical programs except for the categorical programs established in ss. 1011.62(7), (12), and (16), 1011.68, and 1011.685. Students residing outside of the school district reporting the full-time equivalent virtual student shall be funded from state funds only.
(c) A Florida College System institution provider may not report students who are served in a virtual instruction program for funding under the Florida College System Program Fund.
(7) ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.—
(a) Each approved virtual instruction program provider contracted pursuant to this section must:
1. Participate in the statewide assessment program under s. 1008.22 and in the state’s education performance accountability system under s. 1008.31.
2. Receive a school grade under s. 1008.34 or a school improvement rating under s. 1008.341, as applicable. The school improvement rating received by each approved virtual instruction program provider shall be based upon the aggregated assessment scores of all students served by the provider statewide. Each approved virtual instruction program provider shall receive a district grade pursuant to s. 1008.34 based upon the aggregated assessment scores of all students served by the provider statewide and a separate school grade for each school district with which it contracts based upon the assessment scores of all students served within the school district. The department shall publish the school grade or school improvement rating received by each approved virtual instruction program provider on its Internet website. The department shall develop an evaluation method for providers of part-time programs which includes the percentage of students making learning gains, the percentage of students successfully passing any required end-of-course assessment, the percentage of students taking Advanced Placement examinations, and the percentage of students scoring 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement examination.
(b) The performance of part-time students in grades 9 through 12 shall not be included for purposes of school grades or school improvement ratings under subparagraph (a)2.; however, their performance shall be included for school grading or school improvement rating purposes by the district school providing the student’s primary instruction.
(c) An approved virtual instruction program provider that receives a school grade of “D” or “F” pursuant to s. 1008.34 or a school improvement rating of “Unsatisfactory” pursuant to s. 1008.341 must file a school improvement plan with the department for consultation to determine the causes for low performance and corrective actions necessary to improve performance.
(d) An approved virtual instruction program provider’s contract is automatically terminated if the provider earns two consecutive school grades of “F” pursuant to s. 1008.34 after all school grade appeals are final or earns two consecutive school improvement ratings of “Unsatisfactory” pursuant to s. 1008.341 or has violated any qualification requirement pursuant to subsection (2). An approved virtual instruction program provider that has a contract terminated under this paragraph may not be considered an approved virtual instruction program provider for at least 1 year after the date upon which the contract was terminated and until the State Board of Education determines that the virtual instruction program provider is in compliance with subsection (2) and has corrected each cause of the provider’s low performance.
(8) EXCEPTIONS.—A provider of digital or online content or curriculum that is used to supplement the instruction of students who are not enrolled in a virtual instruction program under this section is not required to meet the requirements of this section.
(9) MARKETING.—At the beginning of each school year, each school district shall provide notification to parents and students about a student’s right and choice to participate in a virtual instruction program under this section and in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School under s. 1002.37.
(10) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section, including rules that prescribe disclosure requirements under subsection (2), a standard contract that meets the requirements under subsection (4), and school district reporting requirements under subsection (6).
1002.451 District innovation school of technology program.—
(1) DISTRICT INNOVATION SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.—
(a) A district school board may operate an innovation school of technology for the purpose of developing the innovative use of industry-leading technology while requiring high student academic achievement and accountability in exchange for flexibility and exemption from specified statutes and rules. The innovation school of technology shall operate within existing resources.
(b) An innovation school of technology is a school that has, on a schoolwide basis, adopted and implemented a blended learning program. A blended learning program is an education program in which a student learns in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace and in part at a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home. Blended learning models must include major components such as differentiated instruction, data-driven placement, flexible scheduling, differentiated teaching, and self-paced learning. The school may use one of the following blended learning models:
1. Flipped classroom model in which students use online instructional videos and practice concepts in the classroom with the support of the teacher;
2. Flex model in which students learn primarily online and teachers act as facilitators; or
3. Rotation model in which students move between different learning modalities, such as online instruction, teacher-directed instruction, seminar or group projects, and one-on-one teacher coaching. Rotation models include individual, station, and laboratory models.
(c) An innovation school of technology must be open to any student covered in an interdistrict agreement or residing in the school district in which the innovation school of technology is located. An innovation school of technology shall enroll an eligible student who submits a timely application if the number of applications does not exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. If the number of applications exceeds capacity, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a public random selection process. However, a district may give enrollment preference to students who identify the innovation school of technology as the student’s preferred choice pursuant to the district’s controlled open enrollment plan.
(2) GUIDING PRINCIPLES.—An innovation school of technology shall be guided by the following principles:
(a) Meet high standards of student achievement in exchange for flexibility with respect to statutes or rules.
(b) Implement innovative learning methods and assessment tools to implement a schoolwide transformation regarding industry-leading technology to improve student learning and academic achievement.
(c) Promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility with accountability and industry-leading technology.
(d) Measure student performance based on student learning growth, or based on student achievement if student learning growth cannot be measured.
(e) Provide a parent with sufficient information as to whether his or her child is reading at grade level and making learning gains each year.
(f) Incorporate industry certifications and similar recognitions into performance expectations.
(g) Focus on utilizing industry-leading hardware and software technology for student individual use and to develop the school’s infrastructure in furtherance of this section.
(3) TERM OF PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.—An innovation school of technology may operate pursuant to a performance contract with the State Board of Education for a period of 5 years.
(a) Before expiration of the performance contract, the school’s performance shall be evaluated against the eligibility criteria, purpose, guiding principles, and compliance with the contract to determine whether the contract may be renewed. The contract may be renewed every 5 years.
(b) The performance contract shall be terminated by the State Board of Education if:
1. The school receives a grade of “F” as an innovation school of technology for 2 consecutive years;
2. The school or district fails to comply with the criteria in this section;
3. The school or district does not comply with terms of the contract which specify that a violation results in termination; or
4. Other good cause is shown.
(4) FUNDING.—A district school board operating an innovation school of technology shall report full-time equivalent students to the department in a manner prescribed by the department, and funding shall be provided through the Florida Education Finance Program as provided in ss. 1011.61 and 1011.62. An innovation school of technology may seek and receive additional funding through incentive grants or public or private partnerships.
(5) EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES.—
(a) An innovation school of technology is exempt from chapters 1000-1013. However, an innovation school of technology shall comply with the following provisions of those chapters:
1. Laws pertaining to the following:
a. Schools of technology, including this section.
b. Student assessment program and school grading system.
c. Services to students who have disabilities.
d. Civil rights, including s. 1000.05, relating to discrimination.
e. Student health, safety, and welfare.
2. Laws governing the election and compensation of district school board members and election or appointment and compensation of district school superintendents.
3. Section 1003.03, governing maximum class size, except that the calculation for compliance pursuant to s. 1003.03 is the average at the school level.
4. Sections 1012.22(1)(c) and 1012.27(2), relating to compensation and salary schedules.
5. Section 1012.33(5), relating to workforce reductions, for annual contracts for instructional personnel. This subparagraph does not apply to at-will employees.
6. Section 1012.335, relating to contracts with instructional personnel hired on or after July 1, 2011, for annual contracts for instructional personnel. This subparagraph does not apply to at-will employees.
7. Section 1012.34, relating to requirements for performance evaluations of instructional personnel and school administrators.
(b) An innovation school of technology shall also comply with chapter 119 and s. 286.011, relating to public meetings and records, public inspection, and criminal and civil penalties.
(c) An innovation school of technology is exempt from ad valorem taxes and the State Requirements for Educational Facilities when leasing facilities.
(6) APPLICATION PROCESS AND PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.—
(a) A district school board may apply to the State Board of Education for an innovation school of technology if the district:
1. Has at least 20 percent of its total enrollment in public school choice programs or at least 5 percent of its total enrollment in charter schools;
2. Has no material weaknesses or instances of material noncompliance noted in the annual financial audit conducted pursuant to s. 218.39; and
3. Has received a district grade of “A” or “B” in each of the past 3 years.
(b) A district school board may operate one innovation school of technology upon an application being approved by the State Board of Education.
1. A district school board may apply to the State Board of Education to establish additional schools of technology if each existing innovation school of technology in the district:
a. Meets all requirements in this section and in the performance contract;
b. Has a grade of “A” or “B”; and
c. Has at least 50 percent of its students exceed the state average on the statewide assessment program pursuant to s. 1008.22. This comparison may take student subgroups, as defined in the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), into specific consideration so that at least 50 percent of students in each student subgroup meet or exceed the statewide average performance, rounded to the nearest whole number, of that particular subgroup.
2. Notwithstanding subparagraph 1., the number of schools of technology in a school district may not exceed:
a. Seven in a school district that has 100,000 or more students.
b. Five in a school district that has 50,000 to 99,999 students.
c. Three in a school district that has fewer than 50,000 students.
(c) A school district that meets the eligibility requirements of paragraph (a) may apply to the State Board of Education at any time to enter into a performance contract to operate an innovation school of technology. The application must, at a minimum:
1. Demonstrate how the school district meets and will continue to meet the requirements of this section;
2. Identify how the school will accomplish the purposes and guiding principles of this section;
3. Identify the statutes or rules from which the district is seeking a waiver for the school;
4. Identify and provide supporting documentation for the purpose and impact of each waiver, how each waiver would enable the school to achieve the purpose and guiding principles of this section, and how the school would not be able to achieve the purpose and guiding principles of this section without each waiver; and
5. Confirm that the school board remains responsible for the operation, control, and supervision of the school in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and district procedures not waived pursuant to this section or waived pursuant to other applicable law.
(d) The State Board of Education shall approve or deny the application within 90 days or, with the agreement of the school district, at a later date.
(e) The performance contract must address the terms under which the State Board of Education may cancel the contract and, at a minimum, the methods by which:
1. Upon execution of the performance contract, the school district will plan the program during the first year, begin at least partial implementation of the program during the second year, and fully implement the program by the third year. A district may implement the program sooner than specified in this subparagraph if authorized in the performance contract.
2. The school will integrate industry-leading technology into instruction, assessment, and professional learning. The school may also restructure the school day or school year in a way that allows it to best accomplish its goals.
3. The school and district will monitor performance progress based on skills that help students succeed in college and careers, including problem solving, research, interpretation, and communication.
4. The school will incorporate industry certifications and similar recognitions into performance expectations.
5. The school and district will comply with this section and the performance contract.
(f) Three or more contiguous school districts may apply to enter into a joint performance contract as a Region of Technology, subject to terms and conditions contained in this section for a single school district.
(g) The State Board of Education shall monitor schools of technology to ensure that the respective school district is in compliance with this section and the performance contract.
(h) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section, including, but not limited to, an application, evaluation instrument, and renewal evaluation instrument.
(i) This section does not supersede the provisions of s. 768.28.
(7) REPORTS.—The school district of an innovation school of technology shall submit to the State Board of Education, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives an annual report by December 1 of each year which delineates the performance of the innovation school of technology as it relates to the academic performance of students. The annual report shall be submitted in a format prescribed by the Department of Education and must include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(a) Evidence of compliance with this section.
(b) Efforts to close the achievement gap.
(c) Longitudinal performance of students, by grade level and subgroup, in mathematics, reading, writing, science, and any other subject that is included as a part of the statewide assessment program in s. 1008.22.
(d) Longitudinal performance for students who take an Advanced Placement Examination, organized by age, gender, and race, and for students who participate in the National School Lunch Program.
(e) Number and percentage of students who take an Advanced Placement Examination.
(f) Identification and analysis of industry-leading technology used to comply with this section, including, but not limited to, recommendations and lessons learned from such use.
1002.455 Student eligibility for K-12 virtual instruction.—All students, including home education and private school students, are eligible to participate in any of the following virtual instruction options:
(1) School district operated part-time or full-time kindergarten through grade 12 virtual instruction programs pursuant to s. 1002.45(1)(b)4. to students within the school district.
(2) Part-time or full-time virtual charter school instruction authorized pursuant to s. 1002.45(1)(b)5. to students within the school district or to students in other school districts throughout the state pursuant to s. 1002.31; however, the school district enrolling the full-time equivalent virtual student shall comply with the enrollment requirements established under s. 1002.45(1)(d)4.
(3) Virtual courses offered in the course code directory to students within the school district or to students in other school districts throughout the state pursuant to s. 1003.498.
(4) Florida Virtual School instructional services authorized pursuant to s. 1002.37.
(5) Virtual instruction provided by a school district through a contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider pursuant to s. 1002.45(1)(b)2. to students within the school district or to students in other school districts throughout the state pursuant to s. 1002.31; however, the school district enrolling the full-time equivalent virtual student shall comply with the enrollment requirements established under s. 1002.45(1)(d)4.
1002.53 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; eligibility and enrollment.
1002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by private prekindergarten providers.
1002.57 Prekindergarten director credential.
1002.59 Emergent literacy and performance standards training courses.
1002.61 Summer prekindergarten program delivered by public schools and private prekindergarten providers.
1002.63 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by public schools.
1002.66 Specialized instructional services for children with disabilities.
1002.67 Performance standards and curricula.
1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program accountability.
1002.71 Funding; financial and attendance reporting.
1002.72 Records of children in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
1002.73 Department of Education; powers and duties; accountability requirements.
1002.79 Rulemaking authority.
1002.51 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Department” means the Department of Education.
(2) “Disability” means any disability listed in the definition of exceptional student in s. 1003.01.
(3) “Specialized instructional services provider” means a provider delivering specialized instructional services under s. 1002.66.
(4) “Early learning coalition” or “coalition” means an early learning coalition created under s. 1002.83.
(5) “Prekindergarten director” means an onsite person ultimately responsible for the overall operation of a private prekindergarten provider or, alternatively, of the provider’s prekindergarten program, regardless of whether the person is the owner of the provider.
(6) “Prekindergarten instructor” means a teacher or child care personnel as defined in s. 402.302 who provide instruction to students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(7) “Private prekindergarten provider” means a provider other than a public school which is eligible to deliver the school-year prekindergarten program under s. 1002.55 or the summer prekindergarten program under s. 1002.61.
(8) “Public school prekindergarten provider” includes a traditional public school or a charter school that is eligible to deliver the school-year prekindergarten program under s. 1002.63 or the summer prekindergarten program under s. 1002.61.
1002.53 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; eligibility and enrollment.—
(1) The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program is created and shall be organized, designed, and delivered in accordance with s. 1(b) and (c), Art. IX of the State Constitution.
(2) Each child who resides in this state who will have attained the age of 4 years on or before September 1 of the school year is eligible for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program during either that school year or the following school year. The child remains eligible until the child is admitted to kindergarten, or unless he or she will have attained the age of 6 years by February 1 of any school year under s. 1003.21(1)(a)1.
(3) The parent of each child eligible under subsection (2) may enroll the child in one of the following programs:
(a) A school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a private prekindergarten provider under s. 1002.55;
(b) A summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school or private prekindergarten provider under s. 1002.61;
(c) A school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a public school; or
(d) A specialized instructional services program for children who have disabilities, if the child has been evaluated and determined as eligible, has a current individual educational plan developed by the local school board, and is eligible for the program under s. 1002.66.
Except as provided in s. 1002.71(4), a child may not enroll in more than one of these programs.
(4)(a) Each parent enrolling a child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must complete and submit an application to the early learning coalition through the single point of entry established under s. 1002.82.
(b) The application must be submitted on forms prescribed by the department and must be accompanied by a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. The forms must include a certification, in substantially the form provided in s. 1002.71(6)(b)2., that the parent chooses the private prekindergarten provider or public school in accordance with this section and directs that payments for the program be made to the provider or school. The department may authorize alternative methods for submitting proof of the child’s age in lieu of a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.
(c) Each early learning coalition shall coordinate with each of the school districts within the coalition’s county or multicounty region in the development of procedures for enrolling children in prekindergarten programs delivered by public schools.
(5) The early learning coalition shall provide each parent enrolling a child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program with a profile of every private prekindergarten provider and public school delivering the program within the county where the child is being enrolled. The profiles shall be provided to parents in a format prescribed by the department in accordance with s. 1002.92(3).
(6)(a) A parent may enroll his or her child with any private prekindergarten provider that is eligible to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program under this part; however, the provider may determine whether to admit any child. An early learning coalition may not limit the number of students admitted by any private prekindergarten provider for enrollment in the program. However, this paragraph does not authorize an early learning coalition to allow a provider to exceed any staff-to-children ratio, square footage per child, or other requirement imposed under ss. 402.301-402.319 as a result of admissions in the prekindergarten program.
(b) A parent may enroll his or her child with any public school within the school district which is eligible to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program under this part, subject to available space. Each school district may limit the number of students admitted by any public school for enrollment in the school-year program; however, the school district must provide for the admission of every eligible child within the district whose parent enrolls the child in a summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school under s. 1002.61.
(c) Each private prekindergarten provider and public school must comply with the antidiscrimination requirements of 42 U.S.C. s. 2000d, regardless of whether the provider or school receives federal financial assistance. A private prekindergarten provider or public school may not discriminate against a parent or child, including the refusal to admit a child for enrollment in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, in violation of these antidiscrimination requirements.
(d) Each parent who enrolls his or her child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must allow his or her child to participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9).
1002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by private prekindergarten providers.—
(1) Each early learning coalition shall administer the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the county or regional level for students enrolled under s. 1002.53(3)(a) in a school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a private prekindergarten provider.
(2) Each school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a private prekindergarten provider must comprise at least 540 instructional hours.
(3) To be eligible to deliver the prekindergarten program, a private prekindergarten provider must meet each of the following requirements:
(a) The private prekindergarten provider must be a child care facility licensed under s. 402.305, family day care home licensed under s. 402.313, large family child care home licensed under s. 402.3131, nonpublic school exempt from licensure under s. 402.3025(2), faith-based child care provider exempt from licensure under s. 402.316, child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, or private prekindergarten provider that has been issued a provisional license under s. 402.309. A private prekindergarten provider may not deliver the program while holding a probation-status license under s. 402.310.
(b) The private prekindergarten provider must:
1. Be accredited by an accrediting association that is a member of the National Council for Private School Accreditation, or the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools, or be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or Western Association of Colleges and Schools, or North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, or Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, or New England Association of Colleges and Schools; and have written accreditation standards that meet or exceed the state’s licensing requirements under s. 402.305, s. 402.313, or s. 402.3131 and require at least one onsite visit to the provider or school before accreditation is granted;
2. Hold a current Gold Seal Quality Care designation under s. 1002.945; or
3. Be licensed under s. 402.305, s. 402.313, or s. 402.3131 and demonstrate, before delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, as verified by the early learning coalition, that the provider meets each of the requirements of the program under this part, including, but not limited to, the requirements for credentials and background screenings of prekindergarten instructors under paragraphs (c) and (d), minimum and maximum class sizes under paragraph (f), prekindergarten director credentials under paragraph (g), and a developmentally appropriate curriculum under s. 1002.67(2)(b).
(c) The private prekindergarten provider must have, for each prekindergarten class of 11 children or fewer, at least one prekindergarten instructor who meets each of the following requirements:
1. The prekindergarten instructor must hold, at a minimum, one of the following credentials:
a. A child development associate credential issued by the National Credentialing Program of the Council for Professional Recognition; or
b. A credential approved by the Department of Children and Families as being equivalent to or greater than the credential described in sub-subparagraph a.
The Department of Children and Families may adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which provide criteria and procedures for approving equivalent credentials under sub-subparagraph b.
2. The prekindergarten instructor must successfully complete three emergent literacy training courses that include developmentally appropriate and experiential learning practices for children and a student performance standards training course approved by the department as meeting or exceeding the minimum standards adopted under s. 1002.59. A newly hired prekindergarten instructor must complete the three emergent literacy training courses within 45 calendar days after being hired if the instructor has not previously completed the courses. The prekindergarten instructor must complete an emergent literacy training course at least once every 5 years after initially completing the three emergent literacy training courses. The courses in this subparagraph must be recognized as part of the informal early learning and career pathway identified by the department under s. 1002.995(1)(b). The courses must be made available online or in person.
(d) Each prekindergarten instructor employed by the private prekindergarten provider must be of good moral character, must be screened using the level 2 screening standards in s. 435.04 before employment and rescreened at least once every 5 years, must be denied employment or terminated if required under s. 435.06, and must not be ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended or revoked.
(e) A private prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor to temporarily replace a credentialed instructor if the credentialed instructor assigned to a prekindergarten class is absent, as long as the substitute instructor is of good moral character and has been screened before employment in accordance with level 2 background screening requirements in chapter 435. The department shall adopt rules to implement this paragraph which shall include required qualifications of substitute instructors and the circumstances and time limits for which a private prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor.
(f) Each of the private prekindergarten provider’s prekindergarten classes must be composed of at least 4 students but may not exceed 20 students. In order to protect the health and safety of students, each private prekindergarten provider must also provide appropriate adult supervision for students at all times and, for each prekindergarten class composed of 12 or more students, must have, in addition to a prekindergarten instructor who meets the requirements of paragraph (c), at least one adult prekindergarten instructor who is not required to meet those requirements but who must meet each requirement of paragraph (d). This paragraph does not supersede any requirement imposed on a provider under ss. 402.301-402.319.
(g) The private prekindergarten provider must have a prekindergarten director who has a prekindergarten director credential that is approved by the department as meeting or exceeding the minimum standards adopted under s. 1002.57. A private school administrator who holds a valid certificate in educational leadership issued by the department satisfies the requirement for a prekindergarten director credential under s. 1002.57.
(h) The private prekindergarten provider must register with the early learning coalition on forms prescribed by the department.
(i) The private prekindergarten provider must execute the statewide provider contract prescribed under s. 1002.73, except that an individual who owns or operates multiple private prekindergarten sites within a coalition’s service area may execute a single agreement with the coalition on behalf of each site.
(j) The private prekindergarten provider must maintain general liability insurance and provide the coalition with written evidence of general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for transportation of children if prekindergarten students are transported by the provider. A provider must obtain and retain an insurance policy that provides a minimum of $100,000 of coverage per occurrence and a minimum of $300,000 general aggregate coverage. The department may authorize lower limits upon request, as appropriate. A provider must add the coalition as a named certificateholder and as an additional insured. A provider must provide the coalition with a minimum of 10 calendar days’ advance written notice of cancellation of or changes to coverage. The general liability insurance required by this paragraph must remain in full force and effect for the entire period of the provider contract with the coalition.
(k) The private prekindergarten provider must obtain and maintain any required workers’ compensation insurance under chapter 440 and any required reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation coverage under chapter 443.
(l) Notwithstanding paragraph (j), for a private prekindergarten provider that is a state agency or a subdivision thereof, as defined in s. 768.28(2), the provider must agree to notify the coalition of any additional liability coverage maintained by the provider in addition to that otherwise established under s. 768.28. The provider shall indemnify the coalition to the extent permitted by s. 768.28. Notwithstanding paragraph (j), for a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, the provider may demonstrate liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. ss. 2671 et seq.
(m) The private prekindergarten provider must deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in accordance with this part.
(4) A prekindergarten instructor, in lieu of the minimum credentials required under subparagraph (3)(c)1., may hold one of the following educational credentials:
(a) A bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood education, prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science;
(b) A bachelor’s or higher degree in elementary education, if the prekindergarten instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade, regardless of whether the instructor’s educator certificate is current, and if the instructor is not ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended or revoked;
(c) An associate’s or higher degree in child development;
(d) An associate’s or higher degree in an unrelated field, at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education or child development, and at least 480 hours of experience in teaching or providing child care services for children any age from birth through 8 years of age; or
(e) An educational credential approved by the department as being equivalent to or greater than an educational credential described in this subsection. The department may adopt criteria and procedures for approving equivalent educational credentials under this paragraph.
(5)(a) Notwithstanding paragraph (3)(b), a private prekindergarten provider may not participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program if the provider has child disciplinary policies that do not prohibit children from being subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, toileting, spanking, or any other form of physical punishment as provided in s. 402.305(12).
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, if a private prekindergarten provider has been cited for a class I violation, as defined by rule of the Child Care Services Program Office of the Department of Children and Families, the coalition may refuse to contract with the provider.
(6) Each early learning coalition must verify that each private prekindergarten provider delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s county or multicounty region complies with this part. If a private prekindergarten provider fails or refuses to comply with this part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the early learning coalition to remove the provider from eligibility to deliver the program and receive state funds under this part for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.
(1) The department, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families, shall adopt minimum standards for a credential for prekindergarten directors of private prekindergarten providers delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. The credential must encompass requirements for education and onsite experience.
(2) The educational requirements must include training in the following:
(a) Professionally accepted standards for prekindergarten programs, early learning, and strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of prekindergarten students in attaining the performance standards adopted by the department under s. 1002.67;
(b) Implementation of curriculum and usage of student-level data to inform the delivery of instruction;
(c) Strategies that allow students with disabilities and other special needs to derive maximum benefit from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; and
(d) Program administration and operations, including management, organizational leadership, and financial and legal issues.
(3) The prekindergarten director credential must meet or exceed the requirements of the Department of Children and Families for the child care facility director credential under s. 402.305(2)(g), and successful completion of the prekindergarten director credential satisfies these requirements for the child care facility director credential.
(4) The department shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award credit to a person who successfully completes the child care facility director credential under s. 402.305(2)(g) for those requirements of the prekindergarten director credential which are duplicative of requirements for the child care facility director credential.
1002.59 Emergent literacy and performance standards training courses.—
(1) The department, in collaboration with the Just Read, Florida! Office, shall adopt minimum standards for courses in emergent literacy for prekindergarten instructors. Each course must consist of 5 clock hours and provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address the age-appropriate progress of prekindergarten students in developing emergent literacy skills, including oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonological and phonemic awareness, vocabulary and comprehension development, and foundational background knowledge designed to correlate with the content that students will encounter in grades K-12, consistent with the evidence-based content and strategies grounded in the science of reading identified pursuant to s. 1001.215(7). The course standards must be reviewed as part of any review of subject coverage or endorsement requirements in the elementary, reading, and exceptional student educational areas conducted pursuant to s. 1012.586. Each course must also provide resources containing strategies that allow students with disabilities and other special needs to derive maximum benefit from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. Successful completion of an emergent literacy training course approved under this section satisfies requirements for approved training in early literacy and language development under ss. 402.305(2)(e)5., 402.313(6), and 402.3131(5).
(2) The department shall adopt minimum standards for courses on the performance standards adopted under s. 1002.67(1). Each course must be comprised of at least 3 clock hours, provide instruction in strategies and techniques to address age-appropriate progress of each child in attaining the standards, and be available online.
(3) The department shall make available online professional learning and training courses comprised of at least 8 clock hours that support prekindergarten instructors in increasing the competency of teacher-child interactions.
1002.61 Summer prekindergarten program delivered by public schools and private prekindergarten providers.—
(1)(a) Each school district shall administer the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the district level for students enrolled under s. 1002.53(3)(b) in a summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school. A school district may satisfy this requirement by contracting with private prekindergarten providers.
(b) Each early learning coalition shall administer the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the county or regional level for students enrolled under s. 1002.53(3)(b) in a summer prekindergarten program delivered by a private prekindergarten provider. A child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense may administer the summer prekindergarten program as a private prekindergarten provider.
(2) Each summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school or private prekindergarten provider must:
(a) Comprise at least 300 instructional hours;
(b) Not begin earlier than May 1 of the school year; and
(c) Not deliver the program for a child earlier than the summer immediately before the school year for which the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s. 1003.21(1)(a)2.
(3)(a) Each district school board shall determine which public schools in the school district are eligible to deliver the summer prekindergarten program. The school district shall use educational facilities available in the public schools during the summer term for the summer prekindergarten program.
(b) Each public school delivering the summer prekindergarten program must execute the statewide provider contract prescribed under s. 1002.73, except that the school district may execute a single agreement with the early learning coalition on behalf of all district schools.
(c) Except as provided in this section, to be eligible to deliver the summer prekindergarten program, a private prekindergarten provider must meet each requirement in s. 1002.55.
(4) Notwithstanding ss. 1002.55(3)(c)1. and 1002.63(4), each public school and private prekindergarten provider must have, for each prekindergarten class, at least one prekindergarten instructor who is a certified teacher or holds one of the educational credentials specified in s. 1002.55(4)(a) or (b). As used in this subsection, the term “certified teacher” means a teacher holding a valid Florida educator certificate under s. 1012.56 who has the qualifications required by the district school board to instruct students in the summer prekindergarten program. In selecting instructional staff for the summer prekindergarten program, each school district shall give priority to teachers who have experience or coursework in early childhood education and have completed emergent literacy and performance standards courses, as provided for in s. 1002.55(3)(c)2.
(5) Each prekindergarten instructor employed by a public school or private prekindergarten provider delivering the summer prekindergarten program must be of good moral character, must be screened using the level 2 screening standards in s. 435.04 before employment and rescreened at least once every 5 years, must be denied employment or terminated if required under s. 435.06, and must not be ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended or revoked. This subsection does not supersede employment requirements for instructional personnel in public schools which are more stringent than the requirements of this subsection.
(6) A child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense shall comply with the requirements of a private prekindergarten provider in this section.
(7) A public school or private prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor to temporarily replace a credentialed instructor if the credentialed instructor assigned to a prekindergarten class is absent, as long as the substitute instructor is of good moral character and has been screened before employment in accordance with level 2 background screening requirements in chapter 435. This subsection does not supersede employment requirements for instructional personnel in public schools which are more stringent than the requirements of this subsection. The department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection which shall include required qualifications of substitute instructors and the circumstances and time limits for which a public school or private prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor.
(8) Notwithstanding ss. 1002.55(3)(f) and 1002.63(7), each prekindergarten class in the summer prekindergarten program, regardless of whether the class is a public school’s or private prekindergarten provider’s class, must be composed of at least 4 students but may not exceed 12 students. In order to protect the health and safety of students, each public school or private prekindergarten provider must also provide appropriate adult supervision for students at all times. This subsection does not supersede any requirement imposed on a provider under ss. 402.301-402.319.
(9) Each public school delivering the summer prekindergarten program must also register with the early learning coalition on forms prescribed by the department and deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in accordance with this part.
(10)(a) Each early learning coalition shall verify that each private prekindergarten provider and public school delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s county or multicounty region complies with this part.
(b) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school fails or refuses to comply with this part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the early learning coalition to remove the provider and require the school district to remove the school from eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds under this part for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.
1002.63 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by public schools.—
(1) Each school district may administer the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the district level for students enrolled under s. 1002.53(3)(c) in a school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a public school.
(2) Each school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a public school must comprise at least 540 instructional hours.
(3)(a) The district school board of each school district shall determine which public schools in the district may deliver the prekindergarten program during the school year.
(b) Each public school delivering the school-year prekindergarten program must execute the statewide provider contract prescribed under s. 1002.73, except that the school district may execute a single agreement with the early learning coalition on behalf of all district schools.
(4) Each public school must have, for each prekindergarten class, at least one prekindergarten instructor who meets each requirement in s. 1002.55(3)(c) for a prekindergarten instructor of a private prekindergarten provider.
(5) Each prekindergarten instructor employed by a public school delivering the school-year prekindergarten program must be of good moral character, must be screened using the level 2 screening standards in s. 435.04 before employment and rescreened at least once every 5 years, must be denied employment or terminated if required under s. 435.06, and must not be ineligible to teach in a public school because his or her educator certificate is suspended or revoked. This subsection does not supersede employment requirements for instructional personnel in public schools which are more stringent than the requirements of this subsection.
(6) A public school prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor to temporarily replace a credentialed instructor if the credentialed instructor assigned to a prekindergarten class is absent, as long as the substitute instructor is of good moral character and has been screened before employment in accordance with level 2 background screening requirements in chapter 435. This subsection does not supersede employment requirements for instructional personnel in public schools which are more stringent than the requirements of this subsection. The department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection which shall include required qualifications of substitute instructors and the circumstances and time limits for which a public school prekindergarten provider may assign a substitute instructor.
(7) Each prekindergarten class in a public school delivering the school-year prekindergarten program must be composed of at least 4 students but may not exceed 20 students. In order to protect the health and safety of students, each school must also provide appropriate adult supervision for students at all times and, for each prekindergarten class composed of 12 or more students, must have, in addition to a prekindergarten instructor who meets the requirements of s. 1002.55(3)(c), at least one adult prekindergarten instructor who is not required to meet those requirements but who must meet each requirement of subsection (5).
(8) Each public school delivering the school-year prekindergarten program must register with the early learning coalition on forms prescribed by the department and deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in accordance with this part.
(9)(a) Each early learning coalition shall verify that each public school delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s service area complies with this part.
(b) If a public school fails or refuses to comply with this part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the school district to remove the school from eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds under this part for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.
1002.66 Specialized instructional services for children with disabilities.—
(1) A child who has a disability and enrolls with the early learning coalition under s. 1002.53(3)(d) is eligible for specialized instructional services if:
(a) The child is eligible for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program under s. 1002.53; and
(b) A current individual educational plan has been developed for the child by the local school board in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
(2) The parent of a child who is eligible for the prekindergarten program for children with disabilities may select one or more specialized instructional services that are consistent with the child’s individual educational plan. These specialized instructional services may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Applied behavior analysis as defined in ss. 627.6686 and 641.31098.
(b) Speech-language pathology as defined in s. 468.1125.
(c) Occupational therapy as defined in s. 468.203.
(d) Physical therapy as defined is s. 486.021.
(e) Listening and spoken language specialists and an appropriate acoustical environment for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing who has received an implant or assistive hearing device.
(3) The specialized instructional services provided for a child under this section must be delivered according to professionally accepted standards; must be in accordance with the performance standards adopted by the department under s. 1002.67; and must address the age-appropriate progress of the child in the development of the capabilities, capacities, and skills required under s. 1(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution.
(4) The department shall approve specialized instructional service providers whose services meet the standards in subsection (3), maintain a list of approved providers, and notify each school district and early learning coalition of the approved provider list. Upon the request of a child’s parent, the department may approve a specialized instructional service provider that is not on the approved list if the provider’s services meet the standards in subsection (3) and the service is consistent with the child’s individual educational plan.
(5) The coalition shall reimburse an approved specialized instructional service provider for authorized services provided to an eligible child; however, the cumulative total of services reimbursed for a child may not exceed the amount of the base student allocation provided in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in the General Appropriations Act. Providers shall be reimbursed from funds allocated to the early learning coalition for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(1)(a) The department shall develop and adopt performance standards for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. The performance standards must address the age-appropriate progress of students in the development of:
1. The capabilities, capacities, and skills required under s. 1(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution;
2. Emergent literacy skills grounded in the science of reading, including oral communication, knowledge of print and letters, phonemic and phonological awareness, vocabulary and comprehension development, and foundational background knowledge designed to correlate with the content that students will encounter in grades K-12; and
3. Mathematical thinking and early math skills.
(b) At least every 3 years, the department shall review and, if necessary, revise the performance standards established under this section and align the standards to the standards established by the state board for student performance on the statewide assessments administered pursuant to s. 1008.22.
(2)(a) Each private prekindergarten provider and public school may select or design the curriculum that the provider or school uses to implement the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, except as otherwise required for a provider or school that fails to meet the minimum change-in-ability established pursuant to s. 1002.68.
(b) Each private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s curriculum must be developmentally appropriate and must:
1. Be designed to prepare a student for early literacy and provide for instruction in early math skills;
2. Develop students’ background knowledge through a content-rich and sequential knowledge building early literacy curriculum;
3. Enhance the age-appropriate progress of students in attaining the performance standards adopted by the department under subsection (1); and
4. Support student learning gains through differentiated instruction that shall be measured by the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9).
(c) The department shall adopt procedures for the review and approval of curricula for use by private prekindergarten providers and public schools that fail to meet the minimum change-in-ability scores established pursuant to s. 1002.68. The department shall administer the review and approval process and maintain a list of the curricula approved under this paragraph. Each approved curriculum must meet the requirements of paragraph (b).
1002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program accountability.—
(1)(a) Beginning with the 2022-2023 program year, each private prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must participate in the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program in accordance with s. 1008.25(9). The coordinated screening and progress monitoring program results shall be used by the department to identify student learning gains, index development learning outcomes upon program completion relative to the performance standards established under s. 1002.67 and representative norms, and inform a private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric.
(b) At a minimum, the initial and final progress monitoring or screening must be administered by individuals meeting requirements adopted by the department under s. 1008.25(9).
(c) Each private prekindergarten provider and public school must provide a student’s performance results from the coordinated screening and progress monitoring to the student’s parents within 7 days after the administration of such coordinated screening and progress monitoring.
(2) Beginning with the 2022-2023 program year, each private prekindergarten provider and public school in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must participate in a program assessment of each voluntary prekindergarten education classroom. The program assessment shall measure the quality of teacher-child interactions, including emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support for children ages 3 to 5 years. Each private prekindergarten provider and public school in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program shall receive from the department the results of the program assessment for each classroom within 14 days after the observation. Each early learning coalition shall be responsible for the administration of the program assessments which must be conducted by individuals qualified to conduct program assessments under s. 1002.82(2)(n).
(3)(a) For the 2020-2021 program year, the department shall calculate a kindergarten readiness rate for each private prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based upon learning gains and the percentage of students assessed as ready for kindergarten. The department shall require that each school district administer the statewide kindergarten screening in use before the 2021-2022 school year to each kindergarten student in the school district within the first 30 school days of the 2021-2022 school year. Private schools may administer the statewide kindergarten screening to each kindergarten student in a private school who was enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. Learning gains shall be determined using a value-added measure based on growth demonstrated by the results of the preassessment and postassessment in use before the 2021-2022 program year. However, a provider may not be newly placed on probationary status under this paragraph. A provider currently on probationary status may only be removed from such status if the provider earns the minimum rate, determined pursuant to subsection (5). The methodology for calculating a provider’s readiness rate may not include students who are not administered the statewide kindergarten screening.
(b) For the 2021-2022 program year, kindergarten screening results may not be used in the calculation of readiness rates. Any private prekindergarten provider or public school participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program which fails to meet the minimum kindergarten readiness rate for the 2021-2022 program year is subject to the probation requirements of subsection (5).
(4)(a) Beginning with the 2023-2024 program year, the department shall adopt a methodology for calculating each private prekindergarten provider’s and public school provider’s performance metric, which must be based on a combination of the following:
1. Program assessment composite scores under subsection (2), which must be weighted at no less than 50 percent.
2. Learning gains operationalized as change-in-ability scores from the initial and final progress monitoring results described in subsection (1).
3. Norm-referenced developmental learning outcomes described in subsection (1).
(b) The methodology for calculating a provider’s performance metric may not include students who are not administered the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9).
(c) The program assessment composite score and performance metric must be calculated for each private prekindergarten or public school site.
(d) The methodology shall include a statistical latent profile analysis developed by the department that shall produce a limited number of performance metric profiles which summarize the profiles of all sites that must be used to inform the following designations: “unsatisfactory,” “emerging proficiency,” “proficient,” “highly proficient,” and “excellent” or comparable terminology determined by the office which may not include letter grades.
(e) Subject to an appropriation, the department shall provide for a differential payment to a private prekindergarten provider and public school based on the provider’s designation. The maximum differential payment may not exceed a total of 15 percent of the base student allocation per full-time equivalent student under s. 1002.71 attending in the consecutive program year for that program. A private prekindergarten provider or public school may not receive a differential payment if it receives a designation of “proficient” or lower. Before the adoption of the methodology, the department shall confer with the Council for Early Grade Success under s. 1008.2125 before receiving approval from the State Board of Education for the final recommendations on the designation system and differential payments.
(f) The department shall adopt procedures to annually calculate each private prekindergarten provider’s and public school’s performance metric, based on the methodology adopted in paragraphs (a) and (b), and assign a designation under paragraph (d). Beginning with the 2024-2025 program year, each private prekindergarten provider or public school shall be assigned a designation within 45 days after the conclusion of the school-year Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program delivered by all participating private prekindergarten providers or public schools and within 45 days after the conclusion of the summer Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program delivered by all participating private prekindergarten providers or public schools.
(g) A private prekindergarten provider or public school designated “proficient,” “highly proficient,” or “excellent” demonstrates the provider’s or school’s satisfactory delivery of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(h) The designations shall be displayed in the early learning provider performance profiles required under s. 1002.92(3).
(5)(a) If a public school’s or private prekindergarten provider’s program assessment composite score for its prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum program assessment composite score for contracting adopted in rule by the department, the private prekindergarten provider or public school may not participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program beginning in the consecutive program year and thereafter until the public school or private prekindergarten provider meets the minimum composite score for contracting. A public school or private prekindergarten provider may request one program assessment per program year in order to requalify for participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, provided that the public school or private prekindergarten provider is not excluded from participation under ss. 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or paragraph (5)(b) of this section. If a public school or private prekindergarten provider would like an additional program assessment completed within the same program year, the public school or private prekindergarten provider shall be responsible for the cost of the program assessment.
(b) If a private prekindergarten provider’s or public school’s performance metric or designation falls below the minimum performance metric or designation, the early learning coalition shall:
1. Require the provider or school to submit for approval to the early learning coalition an improvement plan and implement the plan.
2. Place the provider or school on probation.
3. Require the provider or school to take certain corrective actions, including the use of a curriculum approved by the department under s. 1002.67(2)(c) and a staff development plan approved by the department to strengthen instructional practices in emotional support, classroom organization, instructional support, language development, phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and mathematical thinking.
(c) A private prekindergarten provider or public school that is placed on probation must continue the corrective actions required under paragraph (b) until the provider or school meets the minimum performance metric or designation adopted by the department. Failure to meet the requirements of subparagraphs (b)1. and 3. shall result in the termination of the provider’s or school’s contract to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.
(d) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school remains on probation for 2 consecutive years and fails to meet the minimum performance metric or designation, or is not granted a good cause exemption by the department, the department shall require the early learning coalition to revoke the provider’s eligibility and the school district to revoke the school’s eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds for the program for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years.
(6)(a) The department, upon the request of a private prekindergarten provider or public school that remains on probation for at least 2 consecutive years and subsequently fails to meet the minimum performance metric or designation, and for good cause shown, may grant to the provider or school an exemption from being determined ineligible to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds for the program. Such exemption is valid for 1 year and, upon the request of the private prekindergarten provider or public school and for good cause shown, may be renewed.
(b) A private prekindergarten provider’s or public school’s request for a good cause exemption, or renewal of such an exemption, must be submitted to the department in the manner and within the timeframes prescribed by the department and must include the following:
1. Data from the private prekindergarten provider or public school which documents the achievement and progress of the children served, as measured by any required screenings or assessments.
2. Data from the program assessment required under subsection (2) which demonstrates effective teaching practices as recognized by the tool developer.
3. Data from the early learning coalition or district school board, as applicable, the Department of Children and Families, the local licensing authority, or an accrediting association, as applicable, relating to the private prekindergarten provider’s or public school’s compliance with state and local health and safety standards.
(c) The department shall adopt criteria for granting good cause exemptions. Such criteria must include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
1. Child demographic data that evidences a private prekindergarten provider or public school serves a statistically significant population of children with special needs who have individual education plans and can demonstrate progress toward meeting the goals outlined in the students’ individual education plans.
2. Learning gains of children served in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program by the private prekindergarten provider or public school on an alternative measure that has comparable validity and reliability of the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program in accordance with s. 1008.25(9).
3. Program assessment data under subsection (2) which demonstrates effective teaching practices as recognized by the tool developer.
4. Verification that local and state health and safety requirements are met.
(d) A good cause exemption may not be granted to any private prekindergarten provider or public school that has any class I violations or two or more class II violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and Families, within the 2 years preceding the provider’s or school’s request for the exemption.
(e) A private prekindergarten provider or public school granted a good cause exemption shall continue to implement its improvement plan and continue the corrective actions required under paragraph (5)(b) until the provider or school meets the minimum performance metric.
(f) If a good cause exemption is granted to a private prekindergarten provider or public school that remains on probation for 2 consecutive years and if the provider meets all other applicable requirements of this part, the department shall notify the early learning coalition of the good cause exemption and direct that the early learning coalition not remove the provider from eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or to receive state funds for the program.
(g) The department shall report the number of private prekindergarten providers or public schools that have received a good cause exemption and the reasons for the exemptions as part of its annual reporting requirements under s. 1002.82(7).
(7) Representatives from each school district and corresponding early learning coalitions must meet annually to develop strategies to transition students from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to kindergarten.
1002.71 Funding; financial and attendance reporting.—
(1) Funds appropriated for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program may be used only for the program in accordance with this part. If the student enrollment in the program for a fiscal year exceeds the estimated enrollment upon which the appropriation for that fiscal year is provided, thereby causing a shortfall, funds appropriated to the program for the subsequent fiscal year must be used first to fund the shortfall.
(2) A full-time equivalent student in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program shall be calculated as follows:
(a) For a student in a school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a private prekindergarten provider: 540 instructional hours.
(b) For a student in a summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school or private prekindergarten provider: 300 instructional hours.
(c) For a student in a school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a public school: 540 instructional hours.
Except as provided in subsection (4), a student may not be reported for funding purposes as more than one full-time equivalent student.
(3)(a) A separate base student allocation per full-time equivalent student in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program shall be provided in the General Appropriations Act for a school-year prekindergarten program and for a summer prekindergarten program. The base student allocation for a school-year program shall be equal for each student, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a school-year prekindergarten program delivered by a public school or a private prekindergarten provider. The base student allocation for a summer prekindergarten program shall be equal for each student, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a summer prekindergarten program delivered by a public school or private prekindergarten provider.
(b) Each county’s allocation per full-time equivalent student in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program shall be calculated annually by multiplying the base student allocation provided in the General Appropriations Act by the county’s comparable wage factor provided in s. 1011.62(2). Each private prekindergarten provider and public school shall be paid in accordance with the county’s allocation per full-time equivalent student.
(c) The initial allocation shall be based on estimated student enrollment in each coalition service area. The department shall reallocate funds among the coalitions based on actual full-time equivalent student enrollment in each coalition service area. Each coalition shall report student enrollment pursuant to subsection (2) on a monthly basis. A student enrollment count for the prior fiscal year may not be amended after September 30 of the subsequent fiscal year.
(d) For programs offered by school districts pursuant to s. 1002.61, each district’s funding shall be based on a student enrollment that is evenly divisible by 12. If the result of dividing a district’s student enrollment by 12 is not a whole number, the district’s enrollment calculation shall be adjusted by adding the minimum number of students to produce a student enrollment calculation that is evenly divisible by 12.
(4) Notwithstanding s. 1002.53(3) and subsection (2):
(a) A child who, for any of the prekindergarten programs listed in s. 1002.53(3), has not completed more than 70 percent of the hours authorized to be reported for funding under subsection (2), or has not expended more than 70 percent of the funds authorized for the child under s. 1002.66, may withdraw from the program for good cause and reenroll in one of the programs. The total funding for a child who reenrolls in one of the programs for good cause may not exceed one full-time equivalent student. Funding for a child who withdraws and reenrolls in one of the programs for good cause shall be issued in accordance with the department’s uniform attendance policy adopted pursuant to paragraph (6)(d).
(b) A child who has not substantially completed any of the prekindergarten programs listed in s. 1002.53(3) may withdraw from the program due to an extreme hardship that is beyond the child’s or parent’s control, reenroll in one of the summer programs, and be reported for funding purposes as a full-time equivalent student in the summer program for which the child is reenrolled.
A child may reenroll only once in a prekindergarten program under this section. A child who reenrolls in a prekindergarten program under this subsection may not subsequently withdraw from the program and reenroll, unless the child is granted a good cause exemption under this subsection. The department shall establish criteria specifying whether a good cause exists for a child to withdraw from a program under paragraph (a), whether a child has substantially completed a program under paragraph (b), and whether an extreme hardship exists which is beyond the child’s or parent’s control under paragraph (b).
(5)(a) Each early learning coalition shall maintain through the single point of entry established under s. 1002.82 a current database of the students enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program for each county within the coalition’s region.
(b) The department shall adopt procedures for the payment of private prekindergarten providers and public schools delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. The procedures shall provide for the advance payment of providers and schools based upon student enrollment in the program, the certification of student attendance, and the reconciliation of advance payments in accordance with the uniform attendance policy adopted under paragraph (6)(d). The procedures shall provide for the monthly distribution of funds by the department to the early learning coalitions for payment by the coalitions to private prekindergarten providers and public schools.
(6)(a) Each parent enrolling his or her child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must agree to comply with the attendance policy of the private prekindergarten provider or district school board, as applicable. Upon enrollment of the child, the private prekindergarten provider or public school, as applicable, must provide the child’s parent with a copy of the provider’s or school district’s attendance policy, as applicable.
(b)1. Each private prekindergarten provider’s and district school board’s attendance policy must require the parent of each student in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to verify, each month, the student’s attendance on the prior month’s certified student attendance.
2. The parent must submit the verification of the student’s attendance to the private prekindergarten provider or public school on forms prescribed by the department. The forms must include, in addition to the verification of the student’s attendance, a certification, in substantially the following form, that the parent continues to choose the private prekindergarten provider or public school in accordance with s. 1002.53 and directs that payments for the program be made to the provider or school:
VERIFICATION OF STUDENT’S ATTENDANCE AND CERTIFICATION OF PARENTAL CHOICE
I, (Name of Parent) , swear (or affirm) that my child, (Name of Student) , attended the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program on the days listed above and certify that I continue to choose (Name of Provider or School) to deliver the program for my child and direct that program funds be paid to the provider or school for my child.
(Signature of Parent)
(Date)
3. The private prekindergarten provider or public school must keep each original signed form for at least 2 years. Each private prekindergarten provider must permit the early learning coalition, and each public school must permit the school district, to inspect the original signed forms during normal business hours. The department shall adopt procedures for early learning coalitions and school districts to review the original signed forms against the certified student attendance. The review procedures shall provide for the use of selective inspection techniques, including, but not limited to, random sampling. Each early learning coalition and the school districts must comply with the review procedures.
(c) A private prekindergarten provider or school district, as applicable, may dismiss a student who does not comply with the provider’s or district’s attendance policy. A student dismissed under this paragraph is not removed from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and may continue in the program through reenrollment with another private prekindergarten provider or public school. Notwithstanding s. 1002.53(6)(b), a school district is not required to provide for the admission of a student dismissed under this paragraph.
(d) The department shall adopt, for funding purposes, a uniform attendance policy for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. The attendance policy must apply statewide and apply equally to all private prekindergarten providers and public schools. The attendance policy must include at least the following provisions:
1. A student’s attendance may be reported on a pro rata basis as a fractional part of a full-time equivalent student.
2. At a maximum, 20 percent of the total payment made on behalf of a student to a private prekindergarten provider or a public school may be for hours a student is absent.
3. A private prekindergarten provider or public school may not receive payment for absences that occur before a student’s first day of attendance or after a student’s last day of attendance.
The uniform attendance policy shall be used only for funding purposes and does not prohibit a private prekindergarten provider or public school from adopting and enforcing its attendance policy under paragraphs (a) and (c).
(7) The department shall require that administrative expenditures be kept to the minimum necessary for efficient and effective administration of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. Administrative policies and procedures shall be revised, to the maximum extent practicable, to incorporate the use of automation and electronic submission of forms, including those required for child eligibility and enrollment, provider and class registration, and monthly certification of attendance for payment. A school district may use its automated daily attendance reporting system for the purpose of transmitting attendance records to the early learning coalition in a mutually agreed-upon format. In addition, actions shall be taken to reduce paperwork, eliminate the duplication of reports, and eliminate other duplicative activities. Each early learning coalition may retain and expend no more than 5.0 percent of the funds paid by the coalition to private prekindergarten providers and public schools under paragraph (5)(b). Funds retained by an early learning coalition under this subsection may be used only for administering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and may not be used for the school readiness program or other programs.
(8) Except as otherwise expressly authorized by law, a private prekindergarten provider or public school may not:
(a) Require payment of a fee or charge for services provided for a child enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program during a period reported for funding purposes; or
(b) Require a child to enroll for, or require the payment of any fee or charge for, supplemental services as a condition of admitting a child for enrollment in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(9) A parent is responsible for the transportation of his or her child to and from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, regardless of whether the program is delivered by a private prekindergarten provider or a public school. However, a provider or school may use part of the funds it is paid under paragraph (5)(b) for transporting students to and from the program. A student enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program may not be reported under s. 1011.68 for student transportation funds.
1002.72 Records of children in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.—
(1)(a) The records of a child enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program held by an early learning coalition, the department, or a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. For purposes of this section, such records include assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and personal identifying information of an enrolled child and his or her parent.
(b) This exemption applies to the records of a child enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program held by an early learning coalition, the department, or a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider before, on, or after the effective date of this exemption.
(2) A parent has the right to inspect and review the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program record of his or her child and to obtain a copy of such record.
(3)(a) Confidential and exempt Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program records may be released to:
1. The United States Secretary of Education, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Comptroller General of the United States for the purpose of federal audits or investigations.
2. Individuals or organizations conducting studies for institutions to develop, validate, or administer assessments or improve instruction.
3. Accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions.
4. Appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the child or other individuals.
5. The Auditor General in connection with his or her official functions.
6. A court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with an order of that court pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena.
7. Parties to an interagency agreement among early learning coalitions, local governmental agencies, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program providers, or state agencies for the purpose of implementing the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(b) Agencies, organizations, or individuals receiving such confidential and exempt records in order to carry out their official functions must protect the records in a manner that will not permit the personal identification of an enrolled child or his or her parent by persons other than those authorized to receive the records.
1002.73 Department of Education; powers and duties; accountability requirements.—
(1) The department shall adopt by rule a standard statewide provider contract to be used with each Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider, with standardized attachments by provider type. The department shall publish a copy of the standard statewide provider contract on its website. The standard statewide provider contract shall include, at a minimum, provisions for provider probation, termination for cause, and emergency termination for actions or inactions of a provider that pose an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of children. The standard statewide provider contract shall also include appropriate due process procedures. During the pendency of an appeal of a termination, the provider may not continue to offer its services. Any provision imposed upon a provider that is inconsistent with, or prohibited by, law is void and unenforceable.
(2) The department shall adopt procedures for:
(a) The approval of prekindergarten director credentials under ss. 1002.55 and 1002.57.
(b) The approval of emergent literacy and early mathematics skills training courses under ss. 1002.55 and 1002.59.
(c) Annually notifying private prekindergarten providers and public schools placed on probation for not meeting the minimum performance metric or designation as required by s. 1002.68 of the high-quality professional learning opportunities developed or supported by the department.
(d) The administration of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program by the early learning coalitions, including, but not limited to, procedures for:
1. Enrolling students in and determining the eligibility of children for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program under s. 1002.53, which shall include the enrollment of children by public schools and private providers that meet specified requirements.
2. Providing parents with profiles of private prekindergarten providers and public schools under s. 1002.53.
3. Registering private prekindergarten providers and public schools to deliver the program under ss. 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63.
4. Determining the eligibility of private prekindergarten providers to deliver the program under ss. 1002.55 and 1002.61 and streamlining the process of determining provider eligibility whenever possible.
5. Verifying the compliance of private prekindergarten providers and public schools and removing providers or schools from eligibility to deliver the program due to noncompliance or misconduct as provided in s. 1002.67.
6. Paying private prekindergarten providers and public schools under s. 1002.71.
7. Documenting and certifying student enrollment and student attendance under s. 1002.71.
8. Reconciling advance payments in accordance with the uniform attendance policy under s. 1002.71.
9. Reenrolling students dismissed by a private prekindergarten provider or public school for noncompliance with the provider’s or school district’s attendance policy under s. 1002.71.
(3) The department shall administer the accountability requirements of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the state level.
(4) The department shall adopt procedures governing the administration of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program by the early learning coalitions for:
(a) Approving improvement plans of private prekindergarten providers and public schools under s. 1002.68.
(b) Placing private prekindergarten providers and public schools on probation and requiring corrective actions under s. 1002.68.
(c) Removing a private prekindergarten provider or public school from eligibility to deliver the program due to the provider’s or school’s remaining on probation beyond the time permitted under s. 1002.68. Notwithstanding any other law, if a private prekindergarten provider has been cited for a class I violation, as defined by rule of the Child Care Services Program Office of the Department of Children and Families, the coalition may refuse to contract with the provider or revoke the provider’s eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(d) Enrolling children in and determining the eligibility of children for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program under s. 1002.66.
(e) Paying specialized instructional services providers under s. 1002.66.
(f) Approving specialized instructional services providers under s. 1002.66.
(g) Granting of a private prekindergarten provider’s or public school’s request for a good cause exemption under s. 1002.68.
(5) The department shall adopt procedures for the distribution of funds to early learning coalitions under s. 1002.71.
(6) Except as provided by law, the department may not impose requirements on a private prekindergarten provider or public school that does not deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or receive state funds under this part.
1002.79 Rulemaking authority.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer the provisions of this part conferring duties upon the department.
1002.82 Department of Education; powers and duties.
1002.83 Early learning coalitions.
1002.84 Early learning coalitions; school readiness powers and duties.
1002.85 Early learning coalition plans.
1002.86 School readiness program; education component.
1002.87 School readiness program; eligibility and enrollment.
1002.88 School readiness program provider standards; eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.
1002.89 School readiness program; funding.
1002.895 Market rate schedule.
1002.91 Investigations of fraud or overpayment; penalties.
1002.92 Child care and early childhood resource and referral.
1002.93 School readiness program transportation services.
1002.935 School Readiness Plus Program.
1002.945 Gold Seal Quality Care Program.
1002.95 Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) Scholarship Program.
1002.96 Early Head Start collaboration grants.
1002.97 Records of children in the school readiness program.
1002.995 Early learning professional learning standards and career pathways.
1002.81 Definitions.—Consistent with the requirements of 45 C.F.R. parts 98 and 99 and as used in this part, the term:
(1) “At-risk child” means:
(a) A child from a family under investigation by the Department of Children and Families or a designated sheriff’s office for child abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.
(b) A child who is in a diversion program provided by the Department of Children and Families or its contracted provider and who is from a family that is actively participating and complying in department-prescribed activities, including education, health services, or work.
(c) A child from a family that is under supervision by the Department of Children and Families or a contracted service provider for abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.
(d) A child placed in court-ordered, long-term custody or under the guardianship of a relative or nonrelative after termination of supervision by the Department of Children and Families or its contracted provider.
(e) A child in the custody of a parent who is considered a victim of domestic violence and is receiving services through a certified domestic violence center.
(f) A child in the custody of a parent who is considered homeless as verified by a Department of Children and Families certified homeless shelter.
(2) “Authorized hours of care” means the hours of care that are necessary to provide protection, maintain employment, or complete work activities or eligible educational activities, including reasonable travel time.
(3) “Department” means the Department of Education.
(4) “Direct enhancement services” means services for families and children that are in addition to payments for the placement of children in the school readiness program. Direct enhancement services for families and children may include supports for providers, parent training and involvement activities, and strategies to meet the needs of unique populations and local eligibility priorities. Direct enhancement services offered by an early learning coalition shall be consistent with the activities prescribed in s. 1002.89(4)(b).
(5) “Disenrollment” means the removal, either temporary or permanent, of a child from participation in the school readiness program. Removal of a child from the school readiness program may be based on the following events: a reduction in available school readiness program funding, participant’s failure to meet eligibility or program participation requirements, fraud, or a change in local service priorities.
(6) “Economically disadvantaged” means having a family income that does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level and includes being a child of a working migratory family as defined by 34 C.F.R. s. 200.81(d) or (f) or an agricultural worker who is employed by more than one agricultural employer during the course of a year, and whose income varies according to weather conditions and market stability.
(7) “Family income” means the combined gross income, whether earned or unearned, that is derived from any source by all family or household members who are 18 years of age or older who are currently residing together in the same dwelling unit. The term does not include income earned by a currently enrolled high school student who, since attaining the age of 18 years, or a student with a disability who, since attaining the age of 22 years, has not terminated school enrollment or received a high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma, special diploma, or certificate of high school completion. The term also does not include food stamp benefits or federal housing assistance payments issued directly to a landlord or the associated utilities expenses.
(8) “Family or household members” means spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are parents of a child in common regardless of whether they have been married, and other persons who are currently residing together in the same dwelling unit as if a family.
(9) “Full-time care” means at least 6 hours, but not more than 11 hours, of child care or early childhood education services within a 24-hour period.
(10) “Market rate” means the price that a child care or early childhood education provider charges for full-time or part-time daily, weekly, or monthly child care or early childhood education services.
(11) “Part-time care” means less than 6 hours of child care or early childhood education services within a 24-hour period.
(12) “Prevailing market rate” means the biennially determined 75th percentile of a reasonable frequency distribution of the market rate by program care level and provider type in a predetermined geographic market at which child care providers charge a person for child care services.
(13) “Single point of entry” means an integrated information system that allows a parent to enroll his or her child in the school readiness program or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at various locations throughout a county, that may allow a parent to enroll his or her child by telephone or through a website, and that uses a uniform waiting list to track eligible children waiting for enrollment in the school readiness program.
(14) “Working family” means:
(a) A single-parent family in which the parent with whom the child resides is employed or engaged in eligible work or education activities for at least 20 hours per week;
(b) A two-parent family in which both parents with whom the child resides are employed or engaged in eligible work or education activities for a combined total of at least 40 hours per week; or
(c) A two-parent family in which one of the parents with whom the child resides is exempt from work requirements due to age or disability, as determined and documented by a physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, and one parent is employed or engaged in eligible work or education activities at least 20 hours per week.
1002.82 Department of Education; powers and duties.—
(1) For purposes of administration of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Trust Fund, pursuant to 45 C.F.R. parts 98 and 99, the department is designated as the lead agency and must comply with lead agency responsibilities pursuant to federal law. The department may apply to the Governor and Cabinet for a waiver of, and the Governor and Cabinet may waive, any provision of ss. 411.223 and 1003.54 if the waiver is necessary for implementation of the school readiness program. Section 125.901(2)(a)3. does not apply to the school readiness program.
(2) The department shall:
(a) Focus on improving the educational quality delivered by all providers participating in the school readiness program.
(b) Preserve parental choice by permitting parents to choose from a variety of child care categories, including center-based care, family child care, and informal child care to the extent authorized in the state’s Child Care and Development Fund Plan as approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to 45 C.F.R. s. 98.18. Care and curriculum by a faith-based provider may not be limited or excluded in any of these categories.
(c) Be responsible for the prudent use of all public and private funds in accordance with all legal and contractual requirements, safeguarding the effective use of federal, state, and local resources to achieve the highest practicable level of school readiness for the children described in s. 1002.87, including:
1. The adoption of a uniform chart of accounts for budgeting and financial reporting purposes that provides standardized definitions for expenditures and reporting, consistent with the requirements of 45 C.F.R. part 98 and s. 1002.89 for each of the following categories of expenditure:
a. Direct services to children.
b. Administrative costs.
c. Quality activities.
d. Nondirect services.
2. Coordination with other state and federal agencies to perform data matches on children participating in the school readiness program and their families in order to verify the children’s eligibility pursuant to s. 1002.87.
(d) Establish procedures for the annual calculation of the prevailing market rate and procedures for the collection of data to support the calculation of the cost data pursuant to subsection (10).
(e) Review each early learning coalition’s school readiness program plan every 3 years and provide final approval of the plan and any amendments submitted.
(f) Establish a unified approach to the state’s efforts to coordinate a comprehensive early learning program. In support of this effort, the department:
1. Shall adopt specific program support services that address the state’s school readiness program, including:
a. Statewide data information program requirements that include:
(I) Eligibility requirements.
(II) Financial reports.
(III) Program accountability measures.
(IV) Child progress reports.
b. Child care resource and referral services.
c. A single point of entry and uniform waiting list.
2. May provide technical assistance and guidance on additional support services to complement the school readiness program, including:
a. Warm-Line services.
b. Anti-fraud plans.
c. Training and support for parental involvement in children’s early education.
d. Family literacy activities and services.
(g) Provide technical assistance to early learning coalitions.
(h) In cooperation with the early learning coalitions, coordinate with the Child Care Services Program Office of the Department of Children and Families to reduce paperwork and to avoid duplicating interagency activities, health and safety monitoring, and acquiring and composing data pertaining to child care training and credentialing.
(i) Enter into a memorandum of understanding with local licensing agencies and the Child Care Services Program Office of the Department of Children and Families for inspections of school readiness program providers to monitor and verify compliance with s. 1002.88 and the health and safety checklist adopted by the department. The provider contract of a school readiness program provider that refuses permission for entry or inspection shall be terminated. The health and safety checklist may not exceed the requirements of s. 402.305 and the Child Care and Development Fund pursuant to 45 C.F.R. part 98. A child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense is exempted from the inspection requirements under s. 1002.88.
(j) Monitor the alignment and consistency of the standards and benchmarks developed and adopted by the department that address the age-appropriate progress of children in the development of school readiness skills. The standards for children from birth to kindergarten entry in the school readiness program must be aligned with the performance standards adopted for children in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and must address the following domains:
1. Approaches to learning.
2. Cognitive development and general knowledge.
3. Numeracy, language, and communication.
4. Physical development.
5. Self-regulation.
(k) Identify observation-based child assessments that are valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate for use at least three times a year. The assessments must:
1. Provide interval level and norm-referenced data that measures equivalent levels of growth across the core domains of early childhood development and that can be used for determining developmentally appropriate learning gains.
2. Measure progress in the performance standards adopted pursuant to paragraph (j).
3. Provide for appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities and English language learners and be administered by qualified individuals, consistent with the developer’s instructions.
4. Coordinate with the performance standards adopted by the department under s. 1002.67(1) for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
5. Provide data in a format for use in the single statewide information system to meet the requirements of paragraph (q).
(l) Adopt a list of approved curricula that meet the performance standards for the school readiness program and establish a process for the review and approval of a provider’s curriculum that meets the performance standards.
(m) Provide technical support to an early learning coalition to facilitate the use of a standard statewide provider contract adopted by the department to be used with each school readiness program provider, with standardized attachments by provider type. The department shall publish a copy of the standard statewide provider contract on its website. The standard statewide contract shall include, at a minimum, contracted slots, if applicable, in accordance with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, 45 C.F.R. parts 98 and 99; quality improvement strategies, if applicable; program assessment requirements; and provisions for provider probation, termination for cause, and emergency termination for those actions or inactions of a provider that pose an immediate and serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the children. The standard statewide provider contract shall also include appropriate due process procedures. During the pendency of an appeal of a termination, the provider may not continue to offer its services. Any provision imposed upon a provider that is inconsistent with, or prohibited by, law is void and unenforceable. Provisions for termination for cause must also include failure to meet the minimum quality measures established under paragraph (n) for a period of up to 5 years, unless the coalition determines that the provider is essential to meeting capacity needs based on the assessment under s. 1002.85(2)(i) and the provider has an active improvement plan pursuant to paragraph (n).
(n) Adopt a program assessment for school readiness program providers that measures the quality of teacher-child interactions, including emotional and behavioral support, engaged support for learning, classroom organization, and instructional support for children ages birth to 5 years. The implementation of the program assessment must include the following components adopted by rule of the State Board of Education:
1. Quality measures, including a minimum program assessment composite score for contracting purposes and program improvement through an improvement plan.
2. Requirements for program participation, frequency of program assessment, and exemptions.
(o) Develop a differential payment program based on the quality measures adopted by the department under paragraph (n). The differential payment may not exceed a total of 15 percent for each care level and unit of child care for a child care provider. No more than 5 percent of the 15 percent total differential may be provided to providers who submit valid and reliable data to the statewide information system in the domains of language and executive functioning using a child assessment identified pursuant to paragraph (k). Providers below the minimum program assessment score adopted for contracting purposes are ineligible for such payment.
(p) Develop and adopt requirements for the implementation of a program designed to make available contracted slots to serve children at the greatest risk of school failure as determined by such children being located in an area that has been designated as a poverty area tract according to the latest census data. The contracted slot program may also be used to increase the availability of child care capacity based on the assessment under s. 1002.85(2)(i).
(q) Establish a single statewide information system that each coalition must use for the purposes of managing the single point of entry, tracking children’s progress, coordinating services among stakeholders, determining eligibility of children, tracking child attendance, and streamlining administrative processes for providers and early learning coalitions. The system, subject to ss. 1002.72 and 1002.97, shall:
1. Allow a parent to find early learning programs online, including the performance profile under s. 1002.92(3)(a) which must be integrated into the online portal under s. 1001.10(9).
2. Allow a parent to monitor the development of his or her child as the child moves among programs within the state.
3. Enable analysis at the state, regional, and local level to measure child growth over time, program impact, and quality improvement and investment decisions.
(r) Provide technical support to coalitions to facilitate the use of standardized procedures adopted in state board rule for early learning coalitions to use when monitoring the compliance of school readiness program providers with the terms of the standard statewide provider contract.
(s) At least biennially provide fiscal and programmatic monitoring to evaluate the performance of each early learning coalition in administering the school readiness program, ensuring proper payments for school readiness program services, implementing the coalition’s school readiness program plan, and administering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. These monitoring and performance evaluations must include, at a minimum, onsite monitoring of each coalition’s finances, management, operations, and programs.
(t) Work in conjunction with the Bureau of Federal Education Programs within the department to coordinate readiness and voluntary prekindergarten services to the populations served by the bureau.
(u) Administer a statewide toll-free Warm-Line to provide assistance and consultation to child care facilities and family day care homes regarding health, developmental, disability, and special needs issues of the children they are serving, particularly children with disabilities and other special needs. The department shall:
1. Annually inform child care facilities and family day care homes of the availability of this service through the child care resource and referral network under s. 1002.92.
2. Expand or contract for the expansion of the Warm-Line to maintain at least one Warm-Line in each early learning coalition service area.
(v) Develop and implement strategies to increase the supply and improve the quality of child care services for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, children who receive care during nontraditional hours, children in underserved areas, and children in areas that have significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment.
(w) Establish preservice and inservice training requirements that address, at a minimum, school readiness child development standards, health and safety requirements, and social-emotional behavior intervention models, which may include positive behavior intervention and support models, including the integration of early learning professional learning pathways established in s. 1002.995.
(x) Establish standards for emergency preparedness plans for school readiness program providers.
(y) Establish group sizes.
(z) Establish staff-to-children ratios that do not exceed the requirements of s. 402.302(8) or (11) or s. 402.305(4), as applicable, for school readiness program providers.
(aa) Establish eligibility criteria, including limitations based on income and family assets, in accordance with s. 1002.87 and federal law.
(3)(a) The department shall adopt performance standards and outcome measures for early learning coalitions that, at a minimum, include the development of objective and statistically valid customer service surveys by a state university or other independent researcher with specific expertise in customer service survey development. The survey shall be deployed beginning in fiscal year 2022-2023 and be distributed to:
1. Customers who use the services in s. 1002.92 upon the completion of a referral inquiry.
2. Parents, annually, at the time of eligibility determination.
3. Child care providers that participate in the school readiness program or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program at the time of execution of the statewide provider contract.
4. Board members required under s. 1002.83.
(b) Results of the survey shall be based on a statistically significant sample size of completed surveys and calculated annually for each early learning coalition and included in the department’s annual report under subsection (7). If an early learning coalition’s customer satisfaction survey results are below 60 percent, the coalition shall be placed on a 1-year corrective action plan that outlines the specific steps the coalition shall take to improve the results of the customer service surveys, including, but not limited to, technical assistance, staff professional learning, or coaching. If, after being placed on corrective action, an early learning coalition’s customer satisfaction survey results do not improve above the 60 percent threshold, the department may contract out or merge the coalition.
(4) If the department determines during the review of school readiness program plans, or through monitoring and performance evaluations conducted under s. 1002.85, that an early learning coalition has not substantially implemented its plan, has not substantially met the performance standards and outcome measures adopted by the department or the terms of a customer service corrective action plan, or has not effectively administered the school readiness program or Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, the department may remove the coalition from eligibility to administer early learning programs and contract with a qualified entity to continue school readiness program and prekindergarten services in the coalition’s county or multicounty region until the department reestablishes or merges the coalition and a new school readiness program plan is approved in accordance with the rules adopted by the state board.
(5) The department shall adopt procedures for merging early learning coalitions for failure to meet the requirements of subsection (3) or subsection (4), including procedures for the consolidation of merging coalitions that minimize duplication of programs and services due to the merger, and for the early termination of the terms of the coalition members which are necessary to accomplish the mergers.
(6) The department may request the Governor to apply for a waiver to allow a coalition to administer the Head Start Program to accomplish the purposes of the school readiness program.
(7) By January 1 of each year, the department shall annually publish on its website a report of its activities conducted under this section. The report must include a summary of the coalitions’ annual reports, a statewide summary, and the following:
(a) An analysis of early learning activities throughout the state, including the school readiness program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
1. The total and average number of children served in the school readiness program, enumerated by age, eligibility priority category, and coalition, and the total number of children served in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
2. A summary of expenditures by coalition, by fund source, including a breakdown by coalition of the percentage of expenditures for administrative activities, quality activities, nondirect services, and direct services for children.
3. A description of the department’s and each coalition’s expenditures by fund source for the quality and enhancement activities described in s. 1002.89(4)(b).
4. A summary of annual findings and collections related to provider fraud and parent fraud.
5. Data regarding the coalitions’ delivery of early learning programs.
6. The total number of children disenrolled statewide and the reason for disenrollment.
7. The total number of providers by provider type.
8. The number of school readiness program providers who have completed the program assessment required under paragraph (2)(n); the number of providers who have not met the minimum program assessment composite score for contracting established under paragraph (2)(n); and the number of providers that have an active improvement plan based on the results of the program assessment under paragraph (2)(n).
9. The total number of provider contracts revoked and the reasons for revocation.
(b) A detailed summary of the analysis compiled using the single statewide information system established in subsection (2).
(8)(a) Parental choice of child care providers, including private and faith-based providers, shall be established to the maximum extent practicable in accordance with 45 C.F.R. s. 98.30.
(b) As used in this subsection, the term “payment certificate” means a child care certificate as defined in 45 C.F.R. s. 98.2.
(c) The school readiness program shall, in accordance with 45 C.F.R. s. 98.30, provide parental choice through a payment certificate that provides, to the maximum extent possible, flexibility in the school readiness program and payment arrangements. The payment certificate must bear the names of the beneficiary and the program provider and, when redeemed, must bear the signatures of both the beneficiary and an authorized representative of the provider.
(d) If it is determined that a provider has given any cash or other consideration to the beneficiary in return for receiving a payment certificate, the early learning coalition or its fiscal agent shall refer the matter to the Department of Financial Services pursuant to s. 414.411 for investigation.
(9) Participation in the school readiness program does not expand the regulatory authority of the state, its officers, or an early learning coalition to impose any additional regulation on providers beyond those necessary to enforce the requirements set forth in this part and part V of this chapter.
(10) The department shall establish procedures to annually collect cost data. Such data must include, but are not limited to:
(a) Data from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research on the average salary for child care personnel, including, at a minimum, child care instructors and child care directors.
(b) Data from child care providers, including, at a minimum, the average annual cost of materials and curriculum, the average cost of any regulatory fees, the average annual cost of salaries and benefits, and the average annual cost of all other operational costs per child.
(11) By November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit the following data to the Legislature:
(a) The current fiscal year reimbursement rates, by county, by provider type, and by care level.
(b) The cost data collected in subsection (10).
(c) The market rate survey data collected pursuant to s. 1002.895.
(d) The narrow costs analysis data required by 45 C.F.R. s. 98.45.
(1) Thirty or fewer early learning coalitions are established and shall maintain direct enhancement services at the local level and provide access to such services in all 67 counties. Two or more early learning coalitions may join for purposes of planning and implementing a school readiness program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(2) Each early learning coalition shall be composed of at least 15 members but not more than 30 members.
(3) The Governor shall appoint the chair and two other members of each early learning coalition, who must each meet the qualifications of a private sector business member under subsection (6). In the absence of a governor-appointed chair, the Commissioner of Education may appoint an interim chair from the current early learning coalition board membership.
(4) Each early learning coalition must include the following member positions; however, in a multicounty coalition, each ex officio member position may be filled by multiple nonvoting members but no more than one voting member shall be seated per member position. If an early learning coalition has more than one member representing the same entity, only one of such members may serve as a voting member:
(a) A Department of Children and Families regional administrator or his or her permanent designee who is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the department.
(b) A district superintendent of schools or his or her permanent designee who is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the district.
(c) A local workforce development board executive director or his or her permanent designee.
(d) A county health department director or his or her designee.
(e) A children’s services council or juvenile welfare board chair or executive director from each county, if applicable.
(f) A Department of Children and Families child care regulation representative or an agency head of a local licensing agency as defined in s. 402.302, where applicable.
(g) A president of a Florida College System institution or his or her permanent designee.
(h) One member appointed by a board of county commissioners or the governing board of a municipality.
(i) A Head Start director.
(j) A representative of private for-profit child care providers, including private for-profit family day care homes.
(k) A representative of faith-based child care providers.
(l) A representative of programs for children with disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
(5) If members of the board are found to be nonparticipating according to the early learning coalition bylaws, the early learning coalition may request an alternate designee who meets the same qualifications or membership requirements of the nonparticipating member.
(6) The early learning coalition may appoint additional members who must be private sector business members, either for-profit or nonprofit, who do not have, and none of whose relatives as defined in s. 112.3143 has, a substantial financial interest in the design or delivery of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program created under part V of this chapter or the school readiness program. The department shall establish criteria for appointing private sector business members. These criteria must include standards for determining whether a member or relative has a substantial financial interest in the design or delivery of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or the school readiness program.
(7) A majority of the voting membership of an early learning coalition constitutes a quorum required to conduct the business of the coalition. An early learning coalition may use any method of telecommunications to conduct meetings, including establishing a quorum through telecommunications, provided that the public is given proper notice of a telecommunications meeting and reasonable access to observe and, when appropriate, participate.
(8) A voting member of an early learning coalition may not appoint a designee to act in his or her place, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. A voting member may send a representative to coalition meetings, but that representative does not have voting privileges. When a regional administrator for the Department of Children and Families appoints a designee to an early learning coalition, the designee is the voting member of the coalition, and any individual attending in the designee’s place, including the district administrator, does not have voting privileges.
(9) Each member of an early learning coalition is subject to ss. 112.313, 112.3135, and 112.3143. For purposes of s. 112.3143(3)(a), each voting member is a local public officer who must abstain from voting when a voting conflict exists.
(10) For purposes of tort liability, each member or employee of an early learning coalition shall be governed by s. 768.28.
(11) An early learning coalition serving a multicounty region must include representation from each county.
(12) Each early learning coalition shall establish terms for all appointed members of the coalition. The terms must be staggered and must be a uniform length that does not exceed 4 years per term. Appointed members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. When a vacancy occurs in an appointed position, the coalition must advertise the vacancy.
(13) State, federal, and local matching funds provided to the early learning coalitions may not be used directly or indirectly to pay for meals, food, or beverages for coalition members, coalition employees, or subcontractor employees. Preapproved, reasonable, and necessary per diem allowances and travel expenses may be reimbursed. Such reimbursement shall be at the standard travel reimbursement rates established in s. 112.061 and must comply with applicable federal and state requirements.
(14) Each early learning coalition shall complete an annual evaluation of the early learning coalition’s executive director or chief executive officer on forms adopted by the department. The annual evaluation must be submitted to the commissioner by August 30 of each year.
(15) Each school district shall, upon request of the coalition, make a list of all individuals currently eligible to act as a substitute teacher within the school district, pursuant to rules adopted by the school district pursuant to s. 1012.35, available to an early learning coalition serving students within the school district. Child care facilities as defined in s. 402.302 may employ individuals listed as substitute instructors for the purpose of offering the school readiness program, the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, and all other legally operating child care programs.
(16) Each early learning coalition shall adopt a best-practices plan for transitioning prekindergarten students into kindergarten. The plan must provide for:
(a) Opportunities for prekindergarten students and their parents to visit schools in which they may be enrolled in kindergarten.
(b) Written information for parents on school registration and academic and social expectations for kindergarten.
(c) Meetings at least annually with school districts and charter schools in the coalition’s service area to identify and address areas for improvement in transitioning prekindergarten students into kindergarten.
(d) Transferring prekindergarten student information for continuity in progress monitoring and the provision of supports.
The office shall provide guidelines for successful kindergarten transitions to early learning coalitions, school districts, charter schools, and parents to assist with the implementation of this subsection.
1002.84 Early learning coalitions; school readiness powers and duties.—Each early learning coalition shall:
(1) Administer and implement a local comprehensive program of school readiness program services in accordance with this part and the rules adopted by the department, which enhances the cognitive, social, and physical development of children to achieve the performance standards.
(2) Establish a uniform waiting list to track eligible children waiting for enrollment in the school readiness program in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
(3) Establish a resource and referral network operating under s. 1002.92 to assist parents in making an informed choice and provide maximum parental choice of providers and to provide information on available community resources.
(4) Establish a regional Warm-Line as directed by the department pursuant to s. 1002.82(2)(u). Regional Warm-Line staff shall provide onsite technical assistance, when requested, to assist child care facilities and family day care homes with inquiries relating to the strategies, curriculum, and environmental adaptations the child care facilities and family day care homes may need as they serve children with disabilities and other special needs.
(5) Establish an age-appropriate screening, for children ages birth to 5 years, of each child’s development and an appropriate referral process for children with identified delays. Such screening shall not be a requirement of entry into the school readiness program and shall be only given with parental consent.
(6) Implement an age-appropriate preassessment and postassessment of children if specified in the coalition’s approved plan.
(7) Use a coordinated professional learning system that supports the achievement and maintenance of core competencies by school readiness program teachers in helping children attain the performance standards adopted by the department.
(8) Determine child eligibility pursuant to s. 1002.87 and provider eligibility pursuant to s. 1002.88. Child eligibility must be redetermined annually. A coalition must document the reason a child is no longer eligible for the school readiness program according to the standard codes prescribed by the department.
(9) Implement a parent sliding fee scale, that increases in relation to family income, as established in rule by the State Board of Education that provides for the calculation of a parent copayment at the time of the eligibility determination and for an annual eligibility redetermination thereafter. A coalition may waive the copayment for an at-risk child or temporarily waive the copayment for a child whose family’s income is at or below the federal poverty level or whose family experiences a natural disaster or an event that limits the parent’s ability to pay, such as incarceration, placement in residential treatment, or becoming homeless, or an emergency situation such as a household fire or burglary, or while the parent is participating in parenting classes or participating in an Early Head Start program or Head Start Program. A parent may not transfer school readiness program services to another school readiness program provider until the parent has submitted documentation from the current school readiness program provider to the early learning coalition stating that the parent has satisfactorily fulfilled the copayment obligation.
(10) Establish proper maintenance of records related to eligibility and enrollment files, provider payments, coalition staff background screenings, and other documents required for the implementation of the school readiness program.
(11) Establish a records retention requirement for sign-in and sign-out records that is consistent with state and federal law. Attendance records may not be altered or amended after December 31 of the subsequent year.
(12) Follow the tangible personal property requirements of chapter 274 and rules adopted under that chapter.
(13) Comply with federal procurement requirements and the procurement requirements of ss. 215.971, 287.057, and 287.058, except that an early learning coalition is not required to competitively procure direct services for school readiness program and Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program providers.
(14) Establish proper information technology security controls, including, but not limited to, periodically reviewing the appropriateness of access privileges assigned to users of certain systems; monitoring system hardware performance and capacity-related issues; and ensuring appropriate backup procedures and disaster recovery plans are in place.
(15) Develop written policies, procedures, and standards for monitoring vendor contracts, including, but not limited to, provisions specifying the particular procedures that may be used to evaluate contractor performance and the documentation that is to be maintained to serve as a record of contractor performance. This subsection does not apply to contracts with school readiness program providers or Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program providers.
(16) Monitor school readiness program providers in accordance with its plan, or in response to a parental complaint, to verify that the standards prescribed in ss. 1002.82 and 1002.88 are being met using a standard monitoring tool adopted by the department. Providers determined to be high-risk by the coalition, as demonstrated by substantial findings of violations of federal law or the general or local laws of the state, shall be monitored more frequently. Providers with 3 consecutive years of compliance may be monitored biennially.
(17)(a) Distribute the school readiness program funds as allocated in the General Appropriations Act to each eligible provider based upon the reimbursement rate by county, by provider type, and by care level. All instructions to early learning coalitions for distributing the school readiness program funds to eligible providers shall emanate from the department in accordance with the policies of the Legislature.
(b) All provider reimbursement rates shall be charged as direct services pursuant to s. 1002.89.
Each early learning coalition with approved prior year provider reimbursement rates for the infant to age 5 care levels that are higher than the provider reimbursement rates established in this subsection may continue to implement its approved prior year provider reimbursement rates until the rates established in this subsection exceed its prior year rates.
(18) Implement an anti-fraud plan addressing the detection, reporting, and prevention of overpayments, abuse, and fraud relating to the provision of and payment for school readiness program and Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program services and submit the plan to the department for approval, as required by s. 1002.91.
(19) By October 1 of each year, submit an annual report to the department. The report shall conform to the format adopted by the department and must include:
(a) Segregation of school readiness program funds, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program funds, and other local revenues available to the coalition.
(b) Details of expenditures by fund source, including total expenditures for administrative activities, quality activities, nondirect services, and direct services for children.
(c) The total number of coalition staff and the related expenditures for salaries and benefits. For any subcontracts, the total number of contracted staff and the related expenditures for salaries and benefits must be included.
(d) The number of children served in the school readiness program, by provider type, enumerated by age and eligibility priority category, reported as the number of children served during the month, the average participation throughout the month, and the number of children served during the month.
(e) The total number of children disenrolled during the year and the reasons for disenrollment.
(f) The total number of providers by provider type.
(g) A listing of any school readiness program provider, by type, whose eligibility to deliver the school readiness program is revoked, including a brief description of the state or federal violation that resulted in the revocation.
(h) An evaluation of its direct enhancement services.
(i) The total number of children served in each provider facility.
(20) Maintain its administrative staff at the minimum necessary to administer the duties of the early learning coalition.
(21)(a) To increase transparency and accountability, comply with the requirements of this section before contracting with one or more of the following persons or business entities which employs, has a contractual relationship with, or is owned by the following persons:
1. A member of the coalition appointed pursuant to s. 1002.83(3);
2. A board member of any other early learning subrecipient entity;
3. A coalition employee; or
4. A relative, as defined in s. 112.3143(1)(c), of any person listed in subparagraphs 1.-3.
(b) Such contracts may not be executed without the approval of the department. Such contracts, as well as documentation demonstrating adherence to this section by the coalition, must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the coalition, a quorum having been established; all conflicts of interest must be disclosed before the vote; and any member who may benefit from the contract, or whose relative may benefit from the contract, must abstain from the vote. A contract under $25,000 is not required to have the prior approval of the department but must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the coalition, a quorum having been established, and must be reported to the department within 30 days after approval. If a contract cannot be approved by the department, a review of the decision to disapprove the contract may be requested by the early learning coalition or other parties to the disapproved contract.
(1) The department shall adopt rules prescribing the standardized format and required content of school readiness program plans as necessary for a coalition or other qualified entity to administer the school readiness program as provided in this part.
(2) Each early learning coalition must submit a school readiness program plan every 3 years to the department before the expenditure of funds. A coalition may not implement its school readiness program plan until it receives approval from the department. A coalition may not implement any revision to its school readiness program plan until the coalition submits the revised plan to and receives approval from the department. If the department rejects a plan or revision, the coalition must continue to operate under its previously approved plan. The plan must include, but is not limited to:
(a) The coalition’s operations, including its membership and business organization, and the coalition’s articles of incorporation and bylaws if the coalition is organized as a corporation. If the coalition is not organized as a corporation or other business entity, the plan must include the contract with a fiscal agent.
(b) The coalition’s procedures for implementing the requirements of this part, including:
1. Single point of entry.
2. Uniform waiting list.
3. Eligibility and enrollment processes and local eligibility priorities for children pursuant to s. 1002.87.
4. Parent access and choice.
5. Sliding fee scale and policies on applying the waiver or reduction of fees in accordance with s. 1002.84(9).
6. Use of preassessments and postassessments, as applicable.
7. Use of contracted slots, as applicable, based on the results of the assessment required under paragraph (i).
(c) A detailed description of the coalition’s quality activities and services, including, but not limited to:
1. Resource and referral and school-age child care.
2. Infant and toddler early learning.
3. Inclusive early learning programs.
4. Quality improvement strategies that strengthen teaching practices and increase child outcomes.
(d) A detailed budget that outlines estimated expenditures for state, federal, and local matching funds at the lowest level of detail available by other-cost-accumulator code number; all estimated sources of revenue with identifiable descriptions; a listing of full-time equivalent positions; contracted subcontractor costs with related annual compensation amount or hourly rate of compensation; and a capital improvements plan outlining existing fixed capital outlay projects and proposed capital outlay projects that will begin during the budget year.
(e) A detailed accounting, in the format prescribed by the department, of all revenues and expenditures during the 2 previous state fiscal years. Revenue sources should be identifiable, and expenditures should be reported by two categories: state and federal funds and local matching funds.
(f) Updated policies and procedures, including those governing procurement, maintenance of tangible personal property, maintenance of records, information technology security, and disbursement controls.
(g) A description of the procedures for monitoring school readiness program providers, including in response to a parental complaint, to determine that the standards prescribed in ss. 1002.82 and 1002.88 are met using a standard monitoring tool adopted by the department. Providers determined to be high risk by the coalition as demonstrated by substantial findings of violations of law shall be monitored more frequently.
(h) Documentation that the coalition has solicited and considered comments regarding the proposed school readiness program plan from the local community.
(i) An assessment of local priorities within the county or multicounty region based on the needs of families and provider capacity using available community data.
(3) The coalition may periodically amend its plan as necessary. An amended plan must be submitted to and approved by the department before any expenditures are incurred on the new activities proposed in the amendment.
(4) The department shall publish a copy of the standardized format and required content of school readiness program plans on its website.
(5) The department shall collect and report data on coalition delivery of early learning programs. Elements shall include, but are not limited to, measures related to progress towards reducing the number of children on the waiting list, the percentage of children served by the program as compared to the number of administrative staff and overhead, the percentage of children served compared to total number of children under the age of 5 years below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, provider payment processes, fraud intervention, child attendance and stability, use of child care resource and referral, and kindergarten readiness outcomes for children in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or the school readiness program upon entry into kindergarten. The department shall request input from the coalitions and school readiness program providers before finalizing the format and data to be used. The report shall be implemented beginning July 1, 2014, and results of the report must be included in the annual report under s. 1002.82.
1002.86 School readiness program; education component.—The education component of the school readiness program should be developmentally appropriate and based on research, involve the parent as the child’s first teacher, serve as a preventive measure for children at risk of future school failure, and enhance the educational readiness of eligible children. The school readiness program should be of assistance to parents in preparing their at-risk children for educational success, including, as appropriate, health screening and referral.
1002.87 School readiness program; eligibility and enrollment.—
(1) Each early learning coalition shall give priority for participation in the school readiness program as follows:
(a) Priority shall be given first to a child younger than 13 years of age from a family that includes a parent who is receiving temporary cash assistance under chapter 414 and subject to the federal work requirements or a parent who has an Intensive Service Account or an Individual Training Account under s. 445.009.
(b) Priority shall be given next to an at-risk child younger than 9 years of age.
(c) Subsequent priority shall be given, based on the early learning coalition’s local priorities identified under s. 1002.85(2)(i), to children who meet the following criteria:
1. A child from birth to the beginning of the school year for which the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s. 1003.21(1)(a)2. who is from a working family that is economically disadvantaged, and may include such child’s eligible siblings, beginning with the school year in which the sibling is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s. 1003.21(1)(a)2. until the beginning of the school year in which the sibling is eligible to begin 6th grade, provided that the first priority for funding an eligible sibling is local revenues available to the coalition for funding direct services.
2. A child of a parent who transitions from the work program into employment as described in s. 445.032 from birth to the beginning of the school year for which the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s. 1003.21(1)(a)2.
3. An at-risk child who is at least 9 years of age but younger than 13 years of age. An at-risk child whose sibling is enrolled in the school readiness program within an eligibility priority category listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) and subparagraph 1. shall be given priority over other children who are eligible under this paragraph.
4. A child who is younger than 13 years of age from a working family that is economically disadvantaged.
5. A child of a parent who transitions from the work program into employment as described in s. 445.032 who is younger than 13 years of age.
6. A child who has special needs, has been determined eligible as a student with a disability, has a current individual education plan with a Florida school district, and is not younger than 3 years of age. A special needs child eligible under this paragraph remains eligible until the child is eligible for admission to kindergarten in a public school under s. 1003.21(1)(a)2.
7. A child who otherwise meets one of the eligibility criteria in paragraphs (a) and (b) and subparagraphs 1. and 2. but who is also enrolled concurrently in the federal Head Start Program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
(2) A school readiness program provider may be paid only for authorized hours of care provided for a child in the school readiness program. A child enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program may receive care from the school readiness program if the child is eligible according to the eligibility priorities and criteria established in subsection (1).
(3) Contingent upon the availability of funds, a coalition shall enroll eligible children, including those from its waiting list, according to the eligibility priorities and criteria established in subsection (1).
(4) The parent of a child enrolled in the school readiness program must notify the coalition or its designee within 10 days after any change in employment status, income, or family size or failure to maintain attendance at a job training or educational program in accordance with program requirements.
(5) A child whose eligibility priority category requires the child to be from a working family ceases to be eligible for the school readiness program if a parent with whom the child resides does not reestablish employment or resume attendance at a job training or educational program within 90 days after becoming unemployed or ceasing to attend a job training or educational program.
(6) Eligibility for each child must be reevaluated annually. Upon reevaluation, a child may not continue to receive school readiness program services if he or she has ceased to be eligible under this section. A child who is ineligible due to a parent’s job loss or cessation of education or job training shall continue to receive school readiness program services for at least 3 months to enable the parent to obtain employment.
(7) If a coalition disenrolls children from the school readiness program, the coalition must disenroll the children in reverse order of the eligibility priorities and criteria listed in subsection (1) beginning with children from families with the highest family incomes. A notice of disenrollment must be sent to the parent and school readiness program provider at least 2 weeks before disenrollment to provide adequate time for the parent to arrange alternative care for the child. However, an at-risk child may not be disenrolled from the program without the written approval of the Child Welfare Program Office of the Department of Children and Families or the community-based lead agency.
(8) If a child is absent from the program for 5 consecutive days without parental notification to the program of such absence, the school readiness program provider shall report the absence to the early learning coalition for a determination of the need for continued care.
(9) Notwithstanding s. 39.604, a school readiness program provider, regardless of whether the provider is licensed, shall comply with the reporting requirements of the Rilya Wilson Act for each at-risk child under the age of school entry who is enrolled in the school readiness program.
1002.88 School readiness program provider standards; eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.—
(1) To be eligible to deliver the school readiness program, a school readiness program provider must:
(a) Be a child care facility licensed under s. 402.305, a family day care home licensed or registered under s. 402.313, a large family child care home licensed under s. 402.3131, a public school or nonpublic school exempt from licensure under s. 402.3025, a faith-based child care provider exempt from licensure under s. 402.316, a before-school or after-school program described in s. 402.305(1)(c), a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, an informal child care provider to the extent authorized in the state’s Child Care and Development Fund Plan as approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to 45 C.F.R. s. 98.18, or a provider who has been issued a provisional license pursuant to s. 402.309. A provider may not deliver the program while holding a probation-status license under s. 402.310.
(b) Provide instruction and activities to enhance the age-appropriate progress of each child in attaining the child development standards adopted by the department pursuant to s. 1002.82(2)(j). A provider should include activities to foster brain development in infants and toddlers; provide an environment that is rich in language and music and filled with objects of various colors, shapes, textures, and sizes to stimulate visual, tactile, auditory, and linguistic senses; and include 30 minutes of reading to children each day.
(c) Provide basic health and safety of its premises and facilities and compliance with requirements for age-appropriate immunizations of children enrolled in the school readiness program.
1. For a provider that is licensed, compliance with s. 402.305, s. 402.3131, or s. 402.313 and this subsection, as verified pursuant to s. 402.311, satisfies this requirement.
2. For a provider that is a registered family day care home or is not subject to licensure or registration by the Department of Children and Families, compliance with this subsection, as verified pursuant to s. 402.311, satisfies this requirement. Upon verification pursuant to s. 402.311, the provider shall annually post the health and safety checklist adopted by the department prominently on its premises in plain sight for visitors and parents and shall annually submit the checklist to its local early learning coalition.
3. For a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, the submission and verification of annual inspections pursuant to United States Department of Defense Instructions 6060.2 and 1402.05 satisfies this requirement.
(d) Provide an appropriate group size and staff-to-children ratio.
(e) Employ child care personnel, as defined in s. 402.302(3), who have satisfied the screening requirements of chapter 402 and fulfilled the training requirements of the department.
(f) Implement one of the curricula approved by the department that meets the child development standards.
(g) Implement a character development program to develop basic values.
(h) Participate in the program assessment under s. 1002.82(2)(n).
(i) Collaborate with the respective early learning coalition to complete initial screening for each child, aged 6 weeks to kindergarten eligibility, within 45 days after the child’s first or subsequent enrollment, to identify a child who may need individualized supports.
(j) Implement minimum standards for child discipline practices that are age-appropriate and consistent with the requirements in s. 402.305(12). Such standards must provide that children not be subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, or frightening or discipline that is associated with food, rest, or toileting. Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited.
(k) Obtain and keep on file record of the child’s immunizations, physical development, and other health requirements as necessary, including appropriate vision and hearing screening and examination, within 30 days after enrollment.
(l) Implement before-school or after-school programs that meet or exceed the requirements of s. 402.305(5), (6), and (7).
(m) For a provider that is not an informal provider, maintain general liability insurance and provide the coalition with written evidence of general liability insurance coverage, including coverage for transportation of children if school readiness program children are transported by the provider. A provider must obtain and retain an insurance policy that provides a minimum of $100,000 of coverage per occurrence and a minimum of $300,000 general aggregate coverage. The department may authorize lower limits upon request, as appropriate. A provider must add the coalition as a named certificateholder and as an additional insured. A provider must provide the coalition with a minimum of 10 calendar days’ advance written notice of cancellation of or changes to coverage. The general liability insurance required by this paragraph must remain in full force and effect for the entire period of the provider contract with the coalition.
(n) For a provider that is an informal provider, comply with the provisions of paragraph (m) or maintain homeowner’s liability insurance and, if applicable, a business rider. If an informal provider chooses to maintain a homeowner’s policy, the provider must obtain and retain a homeowner’s insurance policy that provides a minimum of $100,000 of coverage per occurrence and a minimum of $300,000 general aggregate coverage. The department may authorize lower limits upon request, as appropriate. An informal provider must add the coalition as a named certificateholder and as an additional insured. An informal provider must provide the coalition with a minimum of 10 calendar days’ advance written notice of cancellation of or changes to coverage. The general liability insurance required by this paragraph must remain in full force and effect for the entire period of the provider’s contract with the coalition.
(o) Obtain and maintain any required workers’ compensation insurance under chapter 440 and any required reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation coverage under chapter 443.
(p) Notwithstanding paragraph (m), for a provider that is a state agency or a subdivision thereof, as defined in s. 768.28(2), agree to notify the coalition of any additional liability coverage maintained by the provider in addition to that otherwise established under s. 768.28. The provider shall indemnify the coalition to the extent permitted by s. 768.28. Notwithstanding paragraph (m), for a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense, the provider may demonstrate liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. ss. 2671 et seq.
(q) Execute the standard statewide provider contract adopted by the department.
(r) Operate on a full-time and part-time basis and provide extended-day and extended-year services to the maximum extent possible without compromising the quality of the program to meet the needs of parents who work.
(s) Collect all parent copayment fees unless a waiver has been granted under s. 1002.84(9).
(2)(a) If a school readiness program provider fails or refuses to comply with this part or any contractual obligation of the statewide provider contract under s. 1002.82(2)(m), the coalition may revoke the provider’s eligibility to deliver the school readiness program or receive state or federal funds under this chapter for a period of 5 years.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a school readiness program provider has been cited for a class I violation, as defined by rule, the coalition may refuse to contract with the provider or revoke the provider’s eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.
(3) The department and the coalitions may not:
(a) Impose any requirement on a child care provider or early childhood education provider that does not deliver services under the school readiness program or receive state or federal funds under this part;
(b) Impose any requirement on a school readiness program provider that exceeds the authority provided under this part or part V of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this part or part V of this chapter; or
(c) Require a provider to administer a preassessment or postassessment.
(1) DETERMINATION OF EARLY LEARNING COALITION SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM FUNDING.—Funding for the school readiness program shall be used by the early learning coalitions in accordance with this part and the General Appropriations Act.
(a) School readiness program allocation.—If the annual allocation for the school readiness program is not determined in the General Appropriations Act or the substantive bill implementing the General Appropriations Act, it shall be determined as follows:
1. For each county in the early learning coalition, the total number of unweighted full-time equivalent school readiness children, as adopted by the Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference pursuant to s. 216.136(8), shall be multiplied by the appropriate care level factor to calculate the weighted full-time equivalent school readiness children. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “care level factor” means the adjustment made based on the relative differences in reimbursement rates associated with the eligible school readiness children pursuant to s. 1002.87.
2. The total weighted full-time equivalent school readiness children shall be multiplied by the rate index to calculate the adjusted weighted full-time equivalent school readiness children. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “rate index” means the adjustment made based on the impact of geographic location on reimbursement rates.
3. The school readiness program funds shall be distributed based on each county’s proportionate share of the total adjusted weighted full-time equivalent school readiness children.
(b) Gold Seal Quality Care Program allocation.—There is created the Gold Seal Quality Care Program allocation to provide eligible school readiness program providers the rate differential established pursuant to s. 1002.945(6). Subject to legislative appropriation, all expenditures from the Gold Seal Quality Care Program allocation shall be used by the department to help meet federal targeted requirements for improving quality to the extent allowable in the state’s approved Child Care and Development Fund Plan.
(c) Differential payment program allocation.—There is created the differential payment program allocation to provide eligible school readiness program providers the differential pay established pursuant to s. 1002.82(2)(o). Subject to legislative appropriation, all expenditures from the differential payment program allocation shall be used by the department to help meet federal targeted requirements for improving quality to the extent allowable in the state’s approved Child Care and Development Fund Plan.
(d) Special needs differential allocation.—There is created the special needs differential allocation to assist eligible school readiness program providers to implement the special needs rate provisions defined in the state’s approved Child Care and Development Fund Plan. Subject to legislative appropriation, each early learning coalition shall be reimbursed based on actual expenditures. All expenditures from the special needs differential allocation shall be used by the department to help meet federal targeted requirements for improving quality to the extent allowable in the state’s approved plan.
(2) INSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.—All instructions to early learning coalitions for administering this section shall emanate from the department in accordance with the policies of the Legislature.
(3) MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENTS.—All state, federal, and local matching funds provided to an early learning coalition for purposes of this section shall be used for implementation of its approved school readiness program plan, including the hiring of staff to effectively operate the school readiness program.
(4) COST REQUIREMENTS.—Costs shall be kept to the minimum necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the school readiness program with the highest priority of expenditure being direct services for eligible children. However, no more than 5 percent of the funds allocated in paragraph (1)(a) may be used for administrative costs and no more than 22 percent of the funds allocated in paragraph (1)(a) may be used in any fiscal year for any combination of administrative costs, quality activities, and nondirect services as follows:
(a) Administrative costs as described in 45 C.F.R. s. 98.54, which shall include monitoring providers using the standard methodology adopted under s. 1002.82 to improve compliance with state and federal regulations and law pursuant to the requirements of the statewide provider contract adopted under s. 1002.82(2)(m).
(b) Activities to improve the quality of child care as described in 45 C.F.R. s. 98.53, which shall be limited to the following:
1. Developing, establishing, expanding, operating, and coordinating resource and referral programs specifically related to the provision of comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public to promote informed child care choices specified in 45 C.F.R. s. 98.33.
2. Awarding grants and providing financial support to school readiness program providers and their staff to assist them in meeting applicable state requirements for the program assessment required under s. 1002.82(2)(n), child care performance standards, implementing developmentally appropriate curricula and related classroom resources that support curricula, providing literacy supports, and providing continued professional learning and training. Any grants awarded pursuant to this subparagraph shall comply with ss. 215.971 and 287.058.
3. Providing training, technical assistance, and financial support to school readiness program providers, staff, and parents on standards, child screenings, child assessments, child development research and best practices, developmentally appropriate curricula, character development, teacher-child interactions, age-appropriate discipline practices, health and safety, nutrition, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the recognition of communicable diseases, and child abuse detection, prevention, and reporting.
4. Providing, from among the funds provided for the activities described in subparagraphs 1.-3., adequate funding for infants and toddlers as necessary to meet federal requirements related to expenditures for quality activities for infant and toddler care.
5. Improving the monitoring of compliance with, and enforcement of, applicable state and local requirements as described in and limited by 45 C.F.R. s. 98.40.
6. Responding to Warm-Line requests by providers and parents, including providing developmental and health screenings to school readiness program children.
(c) Nondirect services as described in applicable Office of Management and Budget instructions are those services not defined as administrative, direct, or quality services that are required to administer the school readiness program. Such services include, but are not limited to:
1. Assisting families to complete the required application and eligibility documentation.
2. Determining child and family eligibility.
3. Recruiting eligible child care providers.
4. Processing and tracking attendance records.
5. Developing and maintaining a statewide child care information system.
As used in this paragraph, the term “nondirect services” does not include payments to school readiness program providers for direct services provided to children who are eligible under s. 1002.87, administrative costs as described in paragraph (a), or quality activities as described in paragraph (b).
(5) LIMITATION ON THE USE OF PROGRAM FUNDS.—Funds appropriated for the school readiness program may not be expended for the purchase or improvement of land; for the purchase, construction, or permanent improvement of any building or facility; or for the purchase of buses. However, funds may be expended for minor remodeling and upgrading of child care facilities which is necessary for the administration of the program and to ensure that providers meet state and local child care standards, including applicable health and safety requirements.
1002.895 Market rate schedule.—The school readiness program market rate schedule shall be implemented as follows:
(1) The department shall establish procedures for the adoption of a market rate schedule. The schedule must include, at a minimum, county-by-county rates and the market rate, to include the minimum and the maximum rates for child care providers that hold a Gold Seal Quality Care designation under s. 1002.945 and adhere to its accrediting association’s teacher-to-child ratios and group size requirements and for child care providers that do not hold a Gold Seal Quality Care designation.
(2) The market rate schedule must differentiate rates by provider type, including, but not limited to:
(a) Child care providers licensed under s. 402.305, faith-based child care providers exempt from licensure under s. 402.316, and large family child care homes licensed under s. 402.3131.
(b) Public or nonpublic schools exempt from licensure under s. 402.3025.
(c) Family day care homes licensed or registered under s. 402.313.
(3) The market rate schedule must differentiate rates by care level that includes infants, toddlers, 2-year-old children, 3-year-old children, 4-year-old children, 5-year-old children, and school-age children.
(4) The market rate schedule must differentiate rates between full-time and part-time child care services.
(5) The market rate schedule must be based exclusively on the prices charged for child care services.
(6) The department may contract with one or more qualified entities to administer this section and provide support and technical assistance for child care providers.
(7) The department may adopt rules for establishing procedures for the collection of child care providers’ market rate, the calculation of the prevailing market rate by program care level and provider type in a predetermined geographic market, and the publication of the market rate schedule.
1002.91 Investigations of fraud or overpayment; penalties.—
(1) As used in this subsection, the term “fraud” means an intentional deception, omission, or misrepresentation made by a person with knowledge that the deception, omission, or misrepresentation may result in unauthorized benefit to that person or another person, or any aiding and abetting of the commission of such an act. The term includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state law.
(2) To recover state, federal, and local matching funds, the department shall investigate early learning coalitions, recipients, and providers of the school readiness program and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to determine possible fraud or overpayment. If by its own inquiries, or as a result of a complaint, the department has reason to believe that a person, coalition, or provider has engaged in, or is engaging in, a fraudulent act, it shall investigate and determine whether any overpayment has occurred due to the fraudulent act. During the investigation, the department may examine all records, including electronic benefits transfer records, and make inquiry of all persons who may have knowledge as to any irregularity incidental to the disbursement of public moneys or other items or benefits authorizations to recipients.
(3) Based on the results of the investigation, the department may, in its discretion, refer the investigation to the Department of Financial Services for criminal investigation or refer the matter to the applicable coalition. Any suspected criminal violation identified by the department must be referred to the Department of Financial Services for criminal investigation.
(4) An early learning coalition may suspend or terminate a provider from participation in the school readiness program or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program when it has reasonable cause to believe that the provider has committed fraud. The department shall adopt by rule appropriate due process procedures that the early learning coalition shall apply in suspending or terminating any provider, including the suspension or termination of payment. If suspended, the provider shall remain suspended until the completion of any investigation by the department, the Department of Financial Services, or any other state or federal agency, and any subsequent prosecution or other legal proceeding.
(5) If a school readiness program provider or a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider, or an owner, officer, or director thereof, is convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, or is acting as the beneficial owner for someone who has been convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, the early learning coalition shall refrain from contracting with, or using the services of, that provider for a period of 5 years. In addition, the coalition shall refrain from contracting with, or using the services of, any provider that shares an officer or director with a provider that is convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39 for a period of 5 years.
(6) If the investigation is not confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure by law, the results of the investigation may be reported by the department to the appropriate legislative committees, the Department of Children and Families, and such other persons as the department deems appropriate.
(7) The early learning coalition may not contract with a school readiness program provider or a Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program provider who is on the United States Department of Agriculture National Disqualified List. In addition, the coalition may not contract with any provider that shares an officer or director with a provider that is on the United States Department of Agriculture National Disqualified List.
(8) Each early learning coalition shall adopt an anti-fraud plan addressing the detection and prevention of overpayments, abuse, and fraud relating to the provision of and payment for school readiness program and Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program services and submit the plan to the department for approval. The department shall adopt rules establishing criteria for the anti-fraud plan, including appropriate due process provisions. The anti-fraud plan must include, at a minimum:
(a) A written description or chart outlining the organizational structure of the plan’s personnel who are responsible for the investigation and reporting of possible overpayment, abuse, or fraud.
(b) A description of the plan’s procedures for detecting and investigating possible acts of fraud, abuse, or overpayment.
(c) A description of the plan’s procedures for the mandatory reporting of possible overpayment, abuse, or fraud to the Office of Inspector General within the department.
(d) A description of the plan’s program and procedures for educating and training personnel on how to detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and overpayment.
(e) A description of the plan’s procedures, including the appropriate due process provisions adopted by the department for suspending or terminating from the school readiness program or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program a recipient or provider who the early learning coalition believes has committed fraud.
(9) A person who commits an act of fraud as defined in this section is subject to the penalties provided in s. 414.39(5)(a) and (b).
1002.92 Child care and early childhood resource and referral.—
(1) As a part of the school readiness program, the department shall establish a statewide child care resource and referral network that is unbiased and provides referrals to families for child care and information on available community resources. Preference shall be given to using early learning coalitions as the child care resource and referral agencies. If an early learning coalition cannot comply with the requirements to offer the resource information component or does not want to offer that service, the early learning coalition shall select the resource and referral agency for its county or multicounty region based upon the procurement requirements of s. 1002.84(13).
(2) At least one child care resource and referral agency must be established in each early learning coalition’s county or multicounty region. The department shall adopt rules regarding accessibility of child care resource and referral services offered through child care resource and referral agencies in each county or multicounty region which include, at a minimum, required hours of operation, methods by which parents may request services, and child care resource and referral staff training requirements.
(3) Child care resource and referral agencies shall provide the following services:
(a) Identification of existing public and private child care and early childhood education services, including child care services by public and private employers, and the development of an early learning provider performance profile of those services through the single statewide information system developed by the department under s. 1002.82(2)(q). These services may include family day care, public and private child care programs, the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, Head Start, the school readiness program, special education programs for prekindergarten children with disabilities, services for children with developmental disabilities, full-time and part-time programs, before-school and after-school programs, and vacation care programs. The early learning provider performance profile shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Type of program.
2. Hours of service.
3. Ages of children served.
4. Number of children served.
5. Program information.
6. Fees and eligibility for services.
7. Availability of transportation.
8. Participation in the Child Care Food Program, if applicable.
9. A link to licensing inspection reports, if applicable.
10. The components of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program performance metric calculated under s. 1002.68 which must consist of the program assessment composite score, learning gains score, achievement score, and its designations, if applicable.
11. The school readiness program assessment composite score and program assessment care level composite score results delineated by infant classrooms, toddler classrooms, and preschool classrooms results under s. 1002.82, if applicable.
12. Gold Seal Quality Care designation under s. 1002.945, if applicable.
13. Indication of whether the provider implements a curriculum approved by the department and the name of the curriculum, if applicable.
14. Participation in school readiness child assessment under s. 1002.82.
(b) Establishment of a referral process that responds to parental need for information and that is provided with full recognition of the confidentiality rights of parents. The resource and referral network shall make referrals to legally operating child care facilities. Referrals may not be made to a child care facility that is operating illegally.
(c) Maintenance of ongoing documentation of requests for service tabulated through the internal referral process through the single statewide information system. The following documentation of requests for service shall be maintained by the child care resource and referral network:
1. Number of calls and contacts to the child care resource information and referral network component by type of service requested.
2. Ages of children for whom service was requested.
3. Time category of child care requests for each child.
4. Special time category, such as nights, weekends, and swing shift.
5. Reason that the child care is needed.
6. Customer service survey data required under s. 1002.82(3).
(d) Assistance to families that connects them to parent education opportunities, the temporary cash assistance program, or social services programs that support families with children, and related child development support services.
(e) Assistance to families and employers in applying for various sources of subsidy, including, but not limited to, the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, the school readiness program, Head Start, Project Independence, private scholarships, and the federal child and dependent care tax credit.
(f) Assistance to families to negotiate discounts or other special arrangements with child care providers.
(g) Assistance to families in identifying summer recreation camp and summer day camp programs to help families make informed choices. Contingent upon specific appropriation, a checklist of important health and safety qualities that parents can use to choose their summer camp programs shall be developed and distributed in a manner that will reach parents interested in such programs for their children.
(h) Assistance to families for accessing local community resources.
(4) A child care facility licensed under s. 402.305 and licensed and registered family day care homes must provide the statewide child care and resource and referral network with the following information annually:
1002.93 School readiness program transportation services.—
(1) The department may authorize an early learning coalition to establish school readiness program transportation services for children at risk of abuse or neglect who are participating in the school readiness program, pursuant to chapter 427. The early learning coalitions may contract for the provision of transportation services as required by this section.
(2) The transportation servicers may only provide transportation to each child participating in the school readiness program to the extent that such transportation is necessary to provide child care opportunities that otherwise would not be available to a child whose home is more than a reasonable walking distance from the nearest child care facility or family day care home.
1002.935 School Readiness Plus Program.—The School Readiness Plus Program is created within the Department of Education to support the continued school readiness and child care needs of working families with children. The program is contingent upon a legislative appropriation and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
(1)(a) A child who is determined to be ineligible for school readiness program funds due to family income during the annual eligibility redetermination process pursuant to s. 1002.87(6) is eligible for a subsidy under this section if the family income is between 85 percent and 100 percent, inclusive, of the state median income.
(b)1. The early learning coalitions established in s. 1002.83 shall administer the School Readiness Plus Program and provide participants with access to the benefit management and career planning tool described in s. 445.009(1)(k).
2. The early learning coalitions must spend the minimum amount of funds necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the School Readiness Plus Program. The early learning coalitions may not use more than 5 percent of the funds allowed for the program for administrative costs in a fiscal year.
(2)(a) The amount of the subsidy is a percentage of the early learning coalition’s approved school readiness program provider reimbursement rates as calculated pursuant to s. 1002.84(17). An early learning coalition shall consider family income and a required parent copayment that increases in relation to the family income when establishing the percentage for the amount of the subsidy for the program.
(b) The amount of the subsidy and parent copayment must be sufficient to allow the family to access eligible school readiness providers pursuant to s. 1002.88 and enable the parent to achieve self-sufficiency.
(3) For a parent to receive a subsidy under the program, he or she must:
(a) Provide any documentation necessary to verify the parent’s eligibility to receive the subsidy.
(b) Be responsible for the payment of all child care expenses in excess of the amount of the subsidy.
(1)(a) There is established within the Department of Education the Gold Seal Quality Care Program.
(b) A child care facility, large family child care home, or family day care home that is accredited by an accrediting association approved by the Department of Education under subsection (3) and meets all other requirements shall, upon application to the department, receive a separate “Gold Seal Quality Care” designation.
(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules establishing Gold Seal Quality Care accreditation standards using nationally recognized accrediting standards and input from accrediting associations.
(3)(a) In order to be approved by the Department of Education for participation in the Gold Seal Quality Care Program, an accrediting association must apply to the department and demonstrate that it:
1. Is a recognized accrediting association.
2. Has accrediting standards that substantially meet or exceed the Gold Seal Quality Care standards adopted by the state board under subsection (2).
3. Is a registered corporation with the Department of State.
4. Can provide evidence that the process for accreditation has, at a minimum, all of the following components:
a. Clearly defined prerequisites that a child care provider must meet before beginning the accreditation process. However, accreditation may not be granted to a child care facility, large family child care home, or family day care home before the site is operational and is attended by children.
b. Procedures for completion of a self-study and comprehensive onsite verification process for each classroom that documents compliance with accrediting standards.
c. A training process for accreditation verifiers to ensure inter-rater reliability.
d. Ongoing compliance procedures that include requiring each accredited child care facility, large family child care home, and family day care home to file an annual report with the accrediting association and risk-based, onsite auditing protocols for accredited child care facilities, large family child care homes, and family day care homes.
e. Procedures for the revocation of accreditation due to failure to maintain accrediting standards as evidenced by sub-subparagraph d. or any other relevant information received by the accrediting association.
f. Accreditation renewal procedures that include an onsite verification occurring at least every 5 years.
g. A process for verifying continued accreditation compliance in the event of a transfer of ownership of facilities.
h. A process to communicate issues that arise during the accreditation period with governmental entities that have a vested interest in the Gold Seal Quality Care Program, including the Department of Education, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, local licensing entities if applicable, and the early learning coalition.
(b) The Department of Education shall establish a process that verifies that the accrediting association meets the provisions of paragraph (a), which must include an auditing program and any other procedures that may reasonably determine an accrediting association’s compliance with this section. If an accrediting association is not in compliance and fails to cure its deficiencies within 30 days, the department shall recommend to the state board termination of the accrediting association’s participation as an accrediting association in the program for a period of at least 2 years but no more than 5 years. If an accrediting association is removed from being an approved accrediting association, each child care provider accredited by that association shall have up to 1 year to obtain a new accreditation from a department-approved accreditation association.
(c) If an accrediting association has granted accreditation to a child care facility, large family child care home, or family day care under fraudulent terms or failed to conduct onsite verifications, the accrediting association shall be liable for the repayment of any rate differentials paid under subsection (6).
(4) In order to obtain and maintain a designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider, a child care facility, large family child care home, or family day care home must meet the following additional criteria:
(a) The child care provider must not have had any class I violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and Families, within the 2 years preceding its application for designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of a class I violation shall be grounds for termination of the designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the provider has no class I violations for a period of 2 years.
(b) The child care provider must not have had three or more of the same class II violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and Families, within the 2 years preceding its application for designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of three or more of the same class II violations within a 2-year period shall be grounds for termination of the designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the provider has no class II violations that are the same for a period of 1 year.
(c) The child care provider must not have been cited for the same class III violation, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and Families, three or more times and failed to correct the violation within 1 year after the date of each citation, within the 2 years preceding its application for designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of the same class III violation three or more times and failure to correct within the required time during a 2-year period may be grounds for termination of the designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the provider has no class III violations for a period of 1 year.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the Department of Education determines through a formal process that a provider has been in business for at least 5 years and has no other class I violations recorded, the department may recommend to the state board that the provider maintain its Gold Seal Quality Care status. The state board’s determination regarding such provider’s status is final.
(5) A child care facility licensed under s. 402.305 or a child care facility exempt from licensing under s. 402.316 which achieves Gold Seal Quality status under this section shall be considered an educational institution for the purpose of qualifying for exemption from ad valorem tax under s. 196.198.
(6) A child care facility licensed under s. 402.305 or a child care facility exempt from licensing pursuant to s. 402.316 which achieves Gold Seal Quality status under this section and which participates in the school readiness program shall receive a minimum of a 20 percent rate differential for each enrolled school readiness child by care level and unit of child care.
(7) The state board shall adopt rules under ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which provide criteria and procedures for reviewing and approving accrediting associations for participation in the Gold Seal Quality Care Program and conferring and revoking designations of Gold Seal Quality Care providers.
1002.95 Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) Scholarship Program.—
(1) The department may contract for the administration of the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) Scholarship Program, which provides educational scholarships to caregivers and administrators of early childhood programs, family day care homes, and large family child care homes. The goal of the program is to increase the education and training for caregivers, increase the compensation for child caregivers who complete the program requirements, and reduce the rate of participant turnover in the field of early childhood education.
(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.
(1) Contingent upon specific appropriation, the department shall establish a program to award collaboration grants to assist local agencies in securing Early Head Start programs through Early Head Start program federal grants. The collaboration grants shall provide the required matching funds for public and private nonprofit agencies that have been approved for Early Head Start program federal grants.
(2) Public and private nonprofit agencies providing Early Head Start programs applying for collaborative grants must:
(a) Meet the requirements in the Head Start program performance standards and other applicable rules and regulations.
(b) Collaborate with other service providers at the local level.
(c) Provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional, and other services to the program’s pregnant women and very young children, and their families.
(3) The department may adopt rules as necessary for the award of collaboration grants to competing agencies and the administration of the collaboration grants program under this section.
1002.97 Records of children in the school readiness program.—
(1) The individual records of children enrolled in the school readiness program provided under this part, held by an early learning coalition or the department, are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. For purposes of this section, records include assessment data, health data, records of teacher observations, and personal identifying information.
(2) A parent has the right to inspect and review the individual school readiness program record of his or her child and to obtain a copy of the record.
(3) School readiness program records may be released to:
(a) The United States Secretary of Education, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Comptroller General of the United States for the purpose of federal audits and investigations.
(b) Individuals or organizations conducting studies for institutions to develop, validate, or administer assessments or improve instruction.
(c) Accrediting organizations in order to carry out their accrediting functions.
(d) Appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the child enrollee or other individuals.
(e) The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability and the Auditor General in connection with their official functions.
(f) A court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with an order of that court in accordance with a lawfully issued subpoena.
(g) Parties to an interagency agreement among early learning coalitions, local governmental agencies, providers of the school readiness program, state agencies, and the department for the purpose of implementing the school readiness program.
Agencies, organizations, or individuals that receive school readiness program records in order to carry out their official functions must protect the data in a manner that does not permit the personal identification of a child enrolled in a school readiness program and his or her parent by persons other than those authorized to receive the records.
1002.995 Early learning professional learning standards and career pathways.—
(1) The department shall:
(a) Develop early learning professional learning training and course standards to be utilized for school readiness program providers.
(b) Identify both formal and informal early learning career pathways with stackable credentials and certifications that allow early childhood teachers to access specialized professional learning that:
1. Strengthens knowledge and teaching practices.
2. Aligns to established professional standards and core competencies.
3. Provides a progression of attainable, competency-based stackable credentials and certifications.
4. Improves outcomes for children to increase kindergarten readiness and early grade success.
(c) Subject to the appropriation of funds by the Legislature, provide incentives to school readiness personnel who meet the requirements of s. 1002.88(1)(e) and prekindergarten instructors who meet the requirements specified in s. 1002.55, s. 1002.61, or s. 1002.63 and who possess a reading certification or endorsement or a literacy micro-credential as specified in s. 1003.485 and teach students in the school readiness program or the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or work in a child care or early learning setting.
(2) To the greatest extent possible, the credentials and certifications established pursuant to this section shall align with the training for K-12 teachers, reading coaches, and school administrators in s. 1001.215(3).
(3) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer this section.
