Legislation Update: Senate Bill 6

A decision has finally been reached on Senate Bill 6.  On April 15, 2010, in perhaps the biggest decision of the legislative session, Florida Governor Charlie Crist vetoed Senate Bill 6.  Senate Bill 6 was highly publicized because it would have provided, among other things, that a portion of teachers’ pay be tied to students’ performance on standardized exams.    

Sources:  Sun-Sentinel; Tampa Bay Online

Legislation Update: Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Legislature is considering changes to Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship program.  The proposed changes include: an increase in SAT score requirements and a provision that requires students to forfeit the scholarship if they fail to maintain their grades.  Students would also only be able to receive the scholarship for a total of four years.

Sources: Sun-Sentinel; Miami Herald; North Escambia.com

Legislation Update: The Religious Freedom Act

The Religious Freedom Act (Senate Bill 2550, House Bill 1399), a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution, is on the move through both the Florida House and Senate.  The Religious Freedom Act would amend the Florida Constitution by allowing public revenues to be used in aid of religious organizations and other entities.  Opponents of the Act feel that it will be utilized to expand private school vouchers.  If passed by the Florida Legislature, the proposed amendment will be placed on the November 2010 ballot.

Sources: Tampa Bay Online; Miami Herald

The full text of Senate Bill 2550 and other related information is available at the following link: Senate Bill 2550

Florida Falls Short in Bid to Obtain Federal Race to the Top Grant

The United States Department of Education recently announced that Delaware and Tennessee are the first two grant winners in the federal Race to the Top competition.  Tennessee received $500 million, and Delaware received $100 million.  Florida finished in fourth place, but it will not be entitled to any of the $4.35 billion dollars that were available.  However, Florida will compete again for an additional $3.4 billion dollars that will be awarded later in the year.  According to the United States Department of Education, the Race to the Top competition rewards states that succeed in implementing reform in the following four areas:

• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace;
• Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals how to improve instruction;
• Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
• Turning around their lowest-performing schools.

Sources: Miami Herald; Tampa Bay Online; U.S. Department of Education

Firm News: Rob Sniffen Selected for Membership in Florida School Board Attorneys Association

Rob Sniffen was recently selected for associate membership in the Florida School Board Attorneys Association (“FSBAA”).  FSBAA is a statewide organization comprised of attorneys dedicated to representing the 67 school districts in the State of Florida (Florida School Board Attorneys Association).