| |
Legislative Update
February 14, 2012
Government Relations Committee, FMEA
This year has been an unusual due to the emphasis on re-districting. This was a major focus of the first half of the legislative session. There has been very little for members to act upon. As we enter the last few weeks of the session, we encourage you to stay vigilant and engaged and watch your email and website for information.
Please be assured that FMEA follows all bills, line by line, to ensure that our legislative priorities are met. Sometimes we will hear from members wondering why there has not been a “call to action” on certain education bills. Most often this is because we have been following the bill closely and have developed a strategy. Typically if a bill is going to “die” in committee - there is no reason to contact members. FMEA’s Legislative priorities follow:
FMEA Legislative Priorities
· Adequate funding for education in general (to include comprehensive music education.)
· Accountability for music at the state and local level
· Oppose legislation that will have negative consequences (either intended or unintended) on quality music education for all.
· Protection of highly qualified teaching standards for the profession
2012 Session So Far
Redistricting
As soon as the redistricting lines had been finalized, lawsuits were filed challenging these new district lines. This is not surprising, given that new districts completely change the political landscape. Be informed about how this impacts your area. We may be seeing new faces in new places.
Education Bills in general
The focus on redistricting has impacted other legislation. Last year at this point in the session, many more education bills had been heard.
SB 338 (HB 121) Fine Arts Bill
Senate Bill 338 www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47299
The Florida Senate Pre-K-12 Education Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 338. This bill would give schools bonus points in the state's grading system based on fine arts participation. This unanimous support is very impressive given some of the well respected education community members who spoke against the bill. Our thanks once again to Senator Detert for sponsoring this bill Members of the committee are as follows:
-
Senator Detert (Bill Sponsor) - Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota
-
Senator Wise - Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns
-
Senator Alexander - Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, Polk, St. Lucie
-
Senator Benacquisto - Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Palm Beach
-
Senator Bullard -Vice Chair Broward, Collier, Hendry, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach
-
Senator Montford - Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Wakulla
Unfortunately the companion house bill HB 121 sponsored by Representative McBurney from Duval is not scheduled to be heard in committee. As a result, there is little chance for this legislation passing this year. Be assured we will continue to monitor this. If action is needed, you will hear.
Select bills that are moving through committees and FMEA is monitoring:
HB 7063 and Senate Bill 1402 Digital Learning Providing that Florida Virtual School full-time students who meet specified academic and conduct requirements are eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities.
www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48958
HB 331 Career and Adult Education
Requires NGSSS to include financial literacy in core curricular content of economics; provides that credit requirement in economics for high school graduation includes instruction in financial literacy.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47472
HB 903 Charter School
Authorizes charter school operated by Florida College System institution to serve K-12 students if certain criteria are met.
www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48128
HB 1191 (SB 1718 Similar) Parent Empowerment in Education
Authorizing parents of students who are assigned to certain underperforming public schools to submit a petition to the school district requesting implementation of a school turnaround option; requiring a school district, upon request, to provide a parent with a performance evaluation for each classroom teacher assigned to his or her child.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48437
No Child Left Behind Waiver
As you have read and heard in your districts, Florida has been granted a waiver from No Child Left Behind Legislation. At first glance, this will impact school accountability plans and perhaps how funding is allocated locally. At present, we are assessing what this could mean for music education in Florida.
|
|
|
|