2014 Post-Session Update BUDGET AND BILLS

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1 2014 Post-Session Update BUDGET AND BILLS

2 The Election Electoral politics are never far removed from the ideas and issues that become bills that are considered and passed during a legislative session. Lawmakers will keep a close eye on their coming elections as they move through the 60-day session, March 4 May 2.

3 Elections 2014 At the state level: The Governor Attorney General Chief Financial Officer Commissioner of Agriculture Half the Senate (all the even numbered districts) and The entire House of Representatives, will stand for election!

4 Budget The economy is slowly recovering and has produced more money for lawmakers to spend. The revised forecast for FY has a projected growth of nearly $1.3 billion (or 4.9 percent) over the FY estimate. This number is expected to be higher as we get closer to session start. Legislators will be able to craft a positive budget but there are challenges ranging from decisions on whether to fund and expand Medicaid, the debate and cost of student testing, funding tax breaks, putting more money in savings accounts and legislators seeking local projects. All will put pressure on the budget process. The FDOE budget and the Governor s budget recommendation calls for an increase above the current year spending. The request includes a continuation of the $480 teacher salary allocation proposal, thus the money becomes a base part of the FEFP.

5 Session Boosts Scott's Campaign The 2014 Legislature ended Friday night, delivering all of Scott's major priorities including a $500 million tax and fee cut, a significant increase in education spending, lower university tuition and two 11th-hour Scott priorities in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and a medical marijuana bill. Everything he wanted going into this session, he got, Weatherford said. I have every reason to believe this will jump-start him into the election cycle. It s going to be a really successful year for him going forward. "With what we just passed, I see the governor slingshotting out of the session," said Weatherford, who stood behind Scott at the Brandon event.

6 2014 Budget The Legislature passed a record-breaking $77.1 billion budget. A $1.2 billion revenue surplus helped to fund numerous hometown projects. Allocated more than $3 billion to state reserves, and Reduced taxes and fees by $500 million.

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10 K-12 Budget Points The Teacher Salary increase ($480M) from last year is maintained. School Recognition funding is maintained. The Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program is maintained and the money may flow earlier next year due to changes in statute (HB 337). Proviso language: $480 is maintained for the same purposes; 25 districts receive a performance adjustment of $50,000 with remainder of funding distributed on an unweighted basis.

11 K-12 Budget Points Workload and FRS increases are considered in the calculations; The Base Student Allocation (BSA) is increased $ or 7.45% totaling $4,031; New students grow 14,103 or 0.52%; Property taxes (RLE, DLE) remain constant while property values increase; and Most FEFP items remain unchanged or slightly increased new program - Digital Allocation.

12 K-12 Budget Points The number of lowest-performing elementary schools to provide an additional hour of instruction increases from 100 to 300; Each district to develop a digital classrooms plan and submit to DOE for approval by October 1, 2014, and by March 1 each year thereafter - $40,000,000; Beginning in , the school board shall use at least 50% of the annual allocation for the purchase of digital or electronic materials; and a Bonus program for elementary and middle school teachers for students earning digital literacy certificates.

13 ISSUE APPROPRIATION 4th Calculation Conference Report FTE 2,708, WFTE 2,941, School Tax Value 1,419,479,110,114 Total Funds 18,309,234,917 2,722, , % 2,948, , % $1,494,439,837,993 $74,960,727, % 18,884,082, ,847, % General Revenue Education Enhancement Trust State School Trust Total State Funds Total Local Funds 9,831,967, ,112, ,700,000 10,472,779,573 7,836,455,344 9,910,606, ,712, ,330,352 10,647,636, ,856, % 8,236,445, ,990, % Total Funds per FTE 6, , %

14 Florida College System Budget Points The overall increase of $28 million, 2.5% more than in state funds includes: $5 million for college program enhancements (funding model distribution) $15.5 million for equity/compression adjustments $2 million for operating costs of new facilities $3.3 million in special projects for 5 colleges $4.8 million for dual enrollment (summer) $122.5 million total for Florida College System fixed capital outlay

15 SUS Budget Points The total Enrollment and Growth budget is $4.35 billion, an increase of 6.5%. Included in this amount is more than $1.8 billion in estimated tuition revenue. The cornerstone of this increase is $100 million in new funds for performance funding to be allocated pursuant to the Board s model. $254.5 million is provided for fixed capital outlay. Of this amount $20 million is for critical deferred maintenance; $37.6 million for regular maintenance; $41 million for CITF projects, and $155 million for PECO projects. Universities also received a total of $84 million in unique project issues.

16 Bills Statistics SENATE AND HOUSE BILLS FILED PASSED FIRST CHAMBER PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS (ONE CHAMBER) GENERAL BILLS JOINT RESOLUTIONS LOCAL BILLS MEMORIALS TOTALS

17 Transition to New Assessments and Accountability New Florida Standards Assessments Beginning in , the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) will include: English Language Arts in Grades 3-11 Mathematics in Grades 3-8 Algebra 1 End-of-Course (EOC) Algebra 2 EOC Geometry EOC These assessments replace the current FCAT 2.0 Reading (Grades 3-10) and mathematics assessments (Grades 3-8), as well as the current state EOCs in Algebra 1 and Geometry. The existing FCAT 2.0 Science assessments in Grades 5 and 8, and the existing state EOCs in Biology 1, U.S. History, and Civics will continue to be administered.

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19 Senate Bill 1642 Implementation Schedule (and more) Commissioner re-establishing advisory groups to meet in the summer and fall. LPAC, Leadership Policy Advisory Committee AAAC, Assessment and Accountability Advisory Committee Draft of school grades rule to the State Board in early 2015 Standards setting meetings held Summer 2015 Draft of rule on school grading scale to the State Board in Sept/Oct Grades calculated in Oct/Nov 2015

20 Transition Year Senate Bill 1642 For the current school year ( ), there are no changes to the school grading system except those directed by existing statute or rule. After students take the new assessments for the first time in , performance level expectations ( cut scores ) will be set in the summer immediately following the first administration of the new assessment. A new baseline calculation of school grades will occur in Fall 2015.

21 Senate Bill 1642 No Consequences from the School Grades. This is the baseline year. No interruption in support to underperforming schools through Differentiated Accountability; A school may not be required to select and implement a turnaround option in the school year based on the grade or school improvement rating; and For purposes of determining grade 3 retention and high school graduation, student performance on the assessments shall be linked to student performance expectations.

22 Revised School Accountability (Senate Bill 1642) Reformulates school grading measures: Achievement Learning gains Graduation Earning College Credit and/or Industry Certifications Maintains a focus on lowest performing students ELLs included in Achievement after 2 years Establishes a learning gains calculation that: (1) Requires students scoring below grade level to grow toward grade level performance, and (2) Requires students already at grade level to progress beyond grade level performance.

23 Senate Bill 1642 Requires the State Board to reset the grading scale, avoiding the compression of the current scale: There must be at least five percentage points separating the percentage thresholds needed to earn each of the school grades The State Board must periodically review the scale to determine whether the expectations should be raised to encourage increased student achievement: If the Board adjusts the grading scale upward, it must inform the public and the school districts of the reasons for the adjustment and the anticipated impact on school grades.

24 Senate Bill 1642 Accountability Establishes as the year for State Board to set statewide performance standards for evaluation purposes and clarifies when districts must use new statewide student growth models (one year after established) page 38; Provides flexibility for differentiating among levels of teacher performances for grades/subjects without approved statewide student growth models page 39; Specifies measurable learning targets still available for use in page 39; and Teacher and principal-selected assessments are options for implementing high quality student assessments under s (6), F.S., which means they can be long-term choices for evaluation purposes at each district s determination page 35.

25 Senate Bill 1642 Testing Students with Disabilities If the parent consents in writing and the IEP team determines that the child should not be assessed based upon medical documentation that the child meets the definition of a child with medical complexity, then the parent may choose one of the following three assessment exemption options: One year exemption approved by the district superintendent with IEP documentation, parental consent and medical documentation; One to three year exemption approved by the Commissioner with IEP documentation, parental consent and medical documentation. State Board to adopt rules. Permanent exemption approved by the Commissioner with IEP documentation, parental consent and medical documentation. State Board to adopt rules.

26 Senate Bill 188 Education Data Privacy Agencies and institutions may not collect information on the political affiliation, voting history, religious affiliation or biometric information of a student, parent or sibling of the student: Biometric information means information collected from the electronic measurement or evaluation of any physical or behavioral characteristics attributable to a single person; a fingerprint or hand scan; a retina or iris scan; a voice print or a facial geometry scan, and any other physical characteristics used for the purpose of electronically identifying that person with a high degree of certainty. Limitations on providing education records Agencies and institutions may not provide confidential education records to other entities unless required by law, subpoena, or court order

27 House Bill 337 Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program The Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program provides funding for teachers to purchase supplies and materials for their classrooms. The bill requires school districts to estimate, by July 1 each year, the number of classroom teachers expected to be employed by the district or a charter school in the district, and thus be eligible to receive funds through the Program on September 1. The bill establishes an earlier, optional date by which program funds may be disbursed to classroom teachers depending on when the teachers are determined to be eligible. The district may distribute by August 1 proportionate shares of funds to classroom teachers determined to be eligible as of July 1. All funds must be disbursed by September 30.

28 House Bill 433 Educator Certification The bill expands ways for candidates to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge: Allows for banking of credits for training regarding students with disabilities the ESE requirements passed last year; Allows a school district to assign newly hired instructional personnel to a school that has earned a failing grade in the previous year or any combination of D or F in the three previous years - if the individual meets specified criteria; Allows the State Board to approve other teacher preparation programs which can be used to meet mastery of professional preparation and education competence.

29 House Bill 485 Sexual Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures The bill creates a new section of law , F.S., specific to sexual battery offenses against students by authority figures. This increases the criminal penalty, raising the felony degree level when a person is convicted of a sexual battery and the victim was a student under the age of 18 enrolled at the same school.

30 Senate Bill 850 Education Allows driver education to count for online course requirement; Changes the additional FTE that can be earned for a student who graduates one year early from 1.0 FTE to 0.5 FTE and for a student who graduates one semester early from 0.5 FTE to 0.25 FTE. CAPE The bill includes significant changes to the CAPE Act including the Industry Certification Funding List and the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) calculations. Allows for funding of certifications earned by elementary, middle, and high school students; Requires teacher bonuses to be paid for all types of certifications with the exception of the CAPE Digital Tool certificates; For GPA calculation, a grade in a course that is level 3 or above and leads to an industry certification must be weighted the same as a grade in an Honors course.

31 Senate Bill 850 Middle Grades Prohibits hazing at schools grade 6-12; Provides requirements relating to professional development, including inservice plans and instructional strategies included in the school improvement plan, for middle grades educators (enhanced middle grades RTI and paperwork); and Intervention for students with low attendance, suspensions, failure in ELA or math, or Level 1 scores on statewide assessments with parent notice.

32 Senate Bill 850 Collegiate High School Requires Florida College System institutions and school districts to: Establish a collegiate high school program; Execute a contract to establish the program by January 1 each year; and, At a minimum, collegiate high schools must include 12th grade option to earn 30 college credits.

33 Senate Bill 850 For Students with Disabilities Creates Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts for students with disabilities; Funding supports services, instructional materials, tuition and fees for private school or postsecondary enrollment. The amount of the awarded funds is 90 percent of the calculated amount: $18,400,000 in Specific Appropriation 110 Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) manage application process, establish student accounts, develop and implement system of payment; Creates a pathway to a Standard Diploma Authorizes individualized programs that can include: a combination of course substitutions, assessments, industry certifications, occupational completion points (OCPs), and employment; and Parents participate in decision regarding appropriate assessment and diploma designation.

34 Senate Bill 850 Individualized Education Plans IEPs will be written upon request by the parent of a student who is applying for a Personal Learning Account. Before the student s 14th birthday, the IEP team, including the parent, shall develop a transition plan for the student with longterm postsecondary and career goals. The plan shall include the declaration of the intent for the student to graduate from high school with either a standard high school diploma or a certificate of completion. Not later than a student s 16th birthday, the IEP team, including the parent, must include the student s intent to pursue a standard high school diploma and a Scholar or Merit designation. IEPs must include the identification of CAPE Digital Tool certificates and industry certifications the student seeks to attain before high school graduation.

35 Senate Bill 850 Tax Credit Vouchers The bill removes prior public school attendance requirements; It increases household income limits, up 260% of poverty (at reduced portion) and increases the maximum per-student amount to 82% of the FEFP; Establishes the Learning Systems Institute as new researcher evaluating the program; Expands the process for charitable organizations to become an SFO; Attempts to inject some accountability by having the auditor general conduct operational audits, established disqualifying offenses, contains weak requirements for surety bonds, and Disallows administrative funds for the program to be used for lobbying or political activity.

36 Senate Bill 851 Residency and Adult General Education Tuition Rates A dependent student may not be denied residency based on immigration status of parent. shall waive out-of-state fees for students, regardless of immigration status, who: Attended a secondary school in this state for three consecutive years immediately before high school graduation; Applies for enrollment in an institution of higher education within 24 months after graduation; and, Submits an official Florida high school transcript as evidence of attendance and graduation. Qualifying students are not classified as residents for tuition purposes, but may be reported for purposes of state funding. These students are not eligible for state financial aid.

37 Senate Bill 851 Tuition Eliminates the statutory rate of inflation provision and updates the statutory tuition for: Workforce Education Programs Florida College System (FCS) State University System (SUS) Florida Prepaid College Program Extends caps on tuition and fees for Florida Prepaid College Program; limits payment to 100% of amount charged by SUS; Results in a significant amount of money being rebated to parents currently in the program.

38 Senate Bill 864 Instructional Materials The bill requires a policy for the parent to file a petition regarding a parent s objection to a specific instructional material; The school board must conduct at least one public hearing on all petitions; School district shall make available, upon request, sample copies of all instructional materials that have been purchased; Beginning in the school board shall use at least 50% of the annual allocation for the purchase of digital or electronic materials; A state-directed adoption process is maintained.

39 House Bill 5101 Education Conforming Require public schools to provide students in grades K-12 opportunities for learning computer science, including coding, programming and general literacy skills.

40 House Bill 5101 Digital Classrooms Plans The state will establish parameters for district and school level infrastructure and digital learning tools. Each district will submit their plan for approval to the DOE. Plans shall include: Measurable student performance outcomes Digital learning and technology infrastructure Professional development Digital tools Online assessment support $40 million to school districts; $250,000 minimum for each district with the remaining balance allocated based on unweighted student enrollment.

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42 House Bill 5101 Dual Enrollment Expands the requirement to develop a dual enrollment program and articulation agreement to all public postsecondary institutions; Public postsecondary institutions shall receive funding equivalent to the standard tuition rate per credit hour for each summer term dual enrollment course (subject to annual appropriation); Eliminates school district payment requirement for courses taught by school district faculty on high school campus; Students in grades 6-12 are eligible for dual enrollment.

43 House Bill 5101 FCS Baccalaureates The bill establishes a moratorium on all new Florida College System baccalaureate degrees (including St. Petersburg College) from March May Further, the bill restricts State Board from approving any new baccalaureate degrees. Virtual Campus/Library Services Replaces the Florida Virtual Campus with the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative as a single library automation system; All public postsecondary institutions will use this system for support; Administered by the University of West Florida.

44 House Bill 5101 Establishes the Florida National Merit Scholar Incentive Program for Florida high school graduates who receive recognition as a National Merit Scholar or National Achievement Scholar. The award would be equal to the highest cost of attendance minus Bright Futures and the National Merit Scholarship; Increases from 100 to 300 the number of lowestperforming elementary schools; Authorizes the capital outlay millage levy to be used for a district s digital classrooms plan; and Requires publishers to provide materials that can be accessed through the school district s digital classrooms plan and through electronic, digital, and mobile devices.

45 House Bill 7031 Education Code (and more) Eliminates double testing glitch. Middle grade students enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, or Biology I take the statewide EOC assessment for those courses and do not take the corresponding subject and grade-level statewide, standardized assessment; The bill deletes references to common core standards and assessments; Reaffirms that parents of a student with disabilities may bring another adult to meetings; Eliminates supplemental educational services program; Allows a district school board to modify its number of members by adopting a resolution that establishes the total number of members and the number of members who shall be elected by residence area or elected at large.

46 House Bill 7031 The bill clarifies the graduation requirements for certain high school students: Students entering grade nine before the school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit is in World History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economics is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; and eight credits in electives. Students entering grade nine in the school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies, of which one credit is in World History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economics is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; and eight credits in electives. Students entering grade nine in the school year: Four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies, of which one credit in World History, one credit is in U. S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economics is required; one credit in fine or performing arts, speech and debate, or practical arts; one credit in physical education; eight credits in electives; and one online course. Students entering grade nine in the school year: The requirements are four credits in English/ELA; four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra I and Geometry; three credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component; three credits in social studies of which one credit in world History, one credit in U.S. History, one-half credit in U.S. Government, and one-half credit in economies is required

47 House Bill 7017 Veteran Tuition Waiver Program Requires postsecondary institutions to waive the outof-state fees for honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state while enrolled in the institution; Applicable to 110 percent of the required credit hours of the degree or certificate program; Veterans will receive preference in awarding tuition waivers per HB 851.

48 Q U E S T I O N S