JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Jacksonville on Tuesday to sign a sweeping education bill at a charter school in Mixon Town.
DeSantis signed HB 1285 at Jacksonville Classical Academy which will, among other things, limit book challenges and “simplify the process to convert failed ‘turnaround schools’ to charter schools.” Any school with two straight Ds or an F is called a turnaround school.
DeSantis addressed the controversy surrounding charter schools and the issue some people have that they take money away from public schools.
“In Florida the money follows the student and the family it’s not embedded in a certain system or certain framework and so the student and the family will be making those decisions even with robust choice you are still going to have enrollment through school districts,” DeSantis said.
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The bill puts some limits on the process of challenging books and other instructional materials.
Now, someone who does not have a student in the school district can object to only one item a month.
In the bill, it creates the Office of the Ocean Economy within the State University System to be housed at Florida Atlantic University.
“The Office of the Ocean Economy is created to connect the state’s ocean and coastal resources to economic development strategies that grow, enhance, or contribute to the ocean economy,” it states.
With many changes in one bill, it may take time to see how effective the bill will be for Florida students and education. The law takes effect July 1.
HB 1285 does the following:
- Requires that school districts and charter schools provide 11th and 12th grade students with the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test and the ability to consult with a military recruiter.
- Ensures postsecondary institutions allow students to work their way through school.
- Protects from conflicts of interest between a postsecondary institution and its trustees.
- Empowers aspiring teachers to obtain a classical teaching certificate developed by the State Board of Education.
- Enables classical schools to prioritize enrollment for families moving from one classical school to another.
And, as announced on Monday:
- Provides a clear and concise process for a struggling school to convert to a charter school.
- If a school receives either two straight Ds or an F on their school grade, it is deemed a “turnaround school.” If the district’s plan to turn the school around does not succeed, the pathway for the school to find new direction and leadership should be simple and efficient.
- These changes will eliminate lengthy and drawn-out negotiations between the incoming charter school and the school district, to ensure no student is trapped at a failing school in Florida.
- A charter school must give preference to kids in the previous school zone and must serve the same grade levels as the previous school.
- The charter school cannot be charged rent for the facility and the school district cannot charge an administrative fee.
- Ensures that book challenges are limited for individuals who do not have children with access to the school district’s materials.
- Unlimited objections remain for parents with children in the school district, which includes homeschooled students accessing district materials.
- Individuals without children in the district will be limited to one objection per month.
- Protects schools from activists trying to politicize and disrupt a district’s book review process.
- Continues to support military families with the Purple Star Schools of Distinction Program.
- Institutes Purple Star School Districts, which recognizes districts with Purple Star Schools making up 75% of schools in their district.
- Helps to ensure a seamless transition for military families moving into Florida by requiring schools to provide them with support and resources.
- For more information on the Purple Star Schools of Distinction program, click here.