Florida

On May 2, 2014 the Florida House and Senate adjourned passing a total of 264 bills through both chambers. Several of these bills effected the funding of P–20 Education. The impact of these bills is summarized herein, as it pertains to funding priorities, changes in the funding formula, pressing issues that affect funding, and specific P-12 and higher education issues.

Funding priorities for p-12 and/or higher education

There were several notable funding priorities in this legislative session. First, funds were provided to school districts to focus efforts on more effectively aligning teacher evaluations to student performance by utilizing local assessments. Subject to appropriations, a minimum award of $50,000 was provided for each school district and lab school that offered teacher salary increases based on performance.¹ Second, postsecondary education affordability and accessibility was addressed by offering out-of-state fee waivers for undocumented students who graduated from a Florida High School and attended the school for three consecutive years. This fee waiver also included veterans.² Lastly, $1.4 million dollars were allocated to various programs intended to support and enhance Workforce Education.³ A provision was added that every Florida College must develop a collegiate high school program in every school district in the service area that allows high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn 30 college credits or industry certification.⁴

Changes to the funding formula for p-12 and/or higher education

One of the most notable changes to the funding formula was that $75 million was earmarked as part of the Supplemental Academic Instruction categorical fund for increasing the number of schools that receive an additional hour of reading instruction from the lowest 100 schools to the lowest 300 schools.⁵ Additionally, a new categorical fund, the Florida Digital Classrooms Allocation, was established to support efforts to improve student performance outcomes by integrating technology in classroom teaching and learning. An amount of $40 million was earmarked for districts to use to implement digital classroom plans.

Additional funds were also allocated for the High and Middle School Industry Certification program ($30 million) and Dual enrollment Instructional materials ($10 million). Overall, during the 2013–2014 fiscal year, there was a 3.14% increase in total numbers of allocated funds, with a 2.61% increase in the per student allocation of the Florida Education Finance Program.⁶

Pressing state issues affecting p-12/higher education funding

Baccalaureate degree offerings in the Florida College System came into question this legislative session. An increased number of traditional community colleges had submitted proposals for offering Baccalaureate degrees. To address this, legislation prohibited the State Board of Education from approving new baccalaureate degree programs at Florida College System institutions from March 31, 2014 through May 31, 2015.⁷

Exclusive to p-12: diverting funds from public school districts

One of the most contentious pieces of legislation was the expansion of the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program. The FTC program provides scholarships to low-income students for private school tuition. During the 2014 session, the scholarship was expanded to include middle-income families with annual incomes up to 260 percent of the federal poverty level, whereas previously the amount was below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. Also, the amount of the voucher increased from $4,880 to $5,272 per student. However, students participating in this program are not subjected to state assessments and are mostly attending religious schools, raising concerns. Furthermore, the Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts created a new scholarship or voucher program for K-12 students with a disability. The General Appropriations Bill appropriates $18.4 million in the Education budget for implementation of this program. Students can use the funds on instructional materials, specialized services, or enrollment in eligible private or virtual schools.

Exclusive to higher education: trends in state funding for public institutions

During the 2013 legislative session the Florida Legislature approved $10,000.00 bachelors degrees. This initiative was put on hold during the 2014 legislative session and is up for discussion during the 2015 legislative session.

Education statistics

• • P–12...