S 1090

Florida Senate - 2026  SB 1090
By Senator Grall
29-00528B-26  20261090__
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to education; creating s. 1001.325,
3F.S.; prohibiting certain entities from expending
4funds on organizations that discriminate on the basis
5of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or
6religion; prohibiting certain entities from expending
7funds to promote, support, or maintain certain
8programs or campus activities; providing an exception
9for student fees to support student-led organizations
10under certain circumstances; providing construction;
11requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules;
12amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; requiring that a public
13school student have prior written consent from his or
14her parent or guardian to receive instruction on
15reproductive health; authorizing a student to carry an
16FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device, rather than
17an epinephrine auto-injector; requiring the state
18board to adopt rules for the use of an FDA-approved
19epinephrine delivery device, rather than an
20epinephrine auto-injector; making conforming changes;
21amending s. 1002.42, F.S.; authorizing a private
22school to purchase a supply of FDA-approved
23epinephrine delivery devices, rather than epinephrine
24auto-injectors; making conforming changes; amending s.
251002.421, F.S.; specifying what constitutes regular
26and direct contact with teachers for private school
27students who are eligible for a certain scholarship;
28amending s. 1002.55, F.S.; revising the period of time
29for which a private prekindergarten provider is
30prohibited from delivering a prekindergarten program
31and receiving state funds under certain circumstances;
32amending s. 1002.61, F.S.; revising the period of time
33for which a private prekindergarten provider is
34prohibited from delivering a summer prekindergarten
35program and receiving state funds under certain
36circumstances; amending s. 1002.63, F.S.; revising the
37period of time for which a public school is prohibited
38from participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten
39Education Program and receiving state funds under
40certain circumstances; amending s. 1002.68, F.S.;
41deleting provisions relating to the calculation of a
42kindergarten readiness rate; revising the period of
43time for which a public or private prekindergarten
44provider is prohibited from participating in the
45Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program for a
46failing program assessment composite score; revising
47the period of time for which a private prekindergarten
48provider’s or public school’s eligibility to deliver
49the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and
50receive state funds is revoked under certain
51circumstances; amending s. 1002.82, F.S.; revising the
52timeframe for which a school readiness program
53provider must fail to meet minimum quality measures to
54be terminated; amending s. 1002.88, F.S.; revising the
55period of time for which an early learning coalition
56is authorized to revoke a school readiness provider’s
57eligibility to deliver programs and receive state
58funds under certain circumstances; amending s.
591002.91, F.S.; revising the period of time for which
60an early learning coalition is prohibited from
61contracting with or using the service of certain
62school readiness providers and Voluntary
63Prekindergarten Education Program providers under
64certain circumstances; amending s. 1002.945, F.S.;
65revising the period of time for which the Department
66of Education is required to recommend that the state
67board terminate an accrediting association’s
68participation in the Gold Seal Quality Care Program;
69requiring the Department of Children and Families to
70make a specified determination for child care
71providers; deleting an exception; amending s. 1003.42,
72F.S.; revising health education topics included in
73required instruction; providing requirements for
74health education addressing human embryologic and
75fetal development; authorizing the State Board of
76Education to adopt rules; requiring a school district
77to notify a parent or guardian and obtain written
78consent before providing instruction on HIV/AIDS;
79creating s. 1003.4202, F.S.; requiring each school
80district to implement a system of comprehensive
81mathematics instruction for specified students;
82requiring each school district to develop and submit a
83mathematics instruction plan to the district school
84board for approval; providing requirements for the
85plan; authorizing a charter school to submit its own
86plan; providing components for the mathematics plan;
87requiring each school district to submit its approved
88mathematics instruction plan to specified entities by
89a specified date each year; defining the term
90“evidence-based”; amending s. 1003.46, F.S.; requiring
91a district school board to obtain written consent from
92a student’s parent or guardian before the student
93receives instruction in acquired immune deficiency
94syndrome education; amending s. 1006.07, F.S.;
95deleting provisions relating to the use of temporary
96door locks; amending s. 1006.38, F.S.; authorizing the
97Commissioner of Education to remove certain
98instructional materials from the list of state
99approved instructional materials, and to revoke for a
100specified period of time the eligibility to offer
101instructional materials for state adoption of the
102publisher or manufacturer of such materials, if he or
103she determines the publisher or manufacturer violated
104any provision of Florida law; providing requirements
105for the Department of Education before instructional
106materials are removed; authorizing the commissioner to
107require corrective action by the publisher or
108manufacturer; providing construction; amending s.
1091006.39, F.S.; requiring that materials and products
110developed by or under the direction of the department
111be made available for use by school districts;
112authorizing school districts to purchase instructional
113materials developed by or under the direction of the
114department; amending s. 1008.25, F.S.; revising the
115score threshold for a Voluntary Prekindergarten
116Education Program student’s performance on coordinated
117screening and progress monitoring for the student to
118receive specified instructional support; conforming a
119cross-reference; amending s. 1008.33, F.S.; requiring
120the department to annually identify each public school
121district in need of intervention and support;
122specifying criteria for a school district to be deemed
123in need of intervention and support; requiring school
124districts in need of intervention and support to
125annually submit a district improvement plan; providing
126requirements for such plan; requiring the plan to be
127approved by the local school board; requiring such
128districts to submit specified information to the
129department; authorizing the state board to require
130modifications to or revoke a school district’s
131district improvement plan under certain circumstances;
132amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; deleting a method for an
133educator to demonstrate mastery of professional
134preparation and education competence; revising
135requirements for professional education competency
136programs; requiring the state board to adopt rules;
137deleting a requirement for the commissioner to
138determine the continued approval of programs; amending
139s. 1014.05, F.S.; requiring that a policy to promote
140parental involvement include procedures for a parent
141to provide or withhold consent for his or her minor
142child to participate in instruction on reproductive
143health or any disease; amending s. 1008.2125, F.S.;
144conforming a cross-reference; providing an effective
145date.
146
147Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
148
149Section 1. Section 1001.325, Florida Statutes, is created
150to read:
1511001.325 Prohibited expenditures.—
152(1) A public school, charter school, school district,
153charter school administrator, or direct-support organization may
154not expend any funds, regardless of source, to purchase
155membership in, or goods and services from, any organization that
156discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
157disability, or religion.
158(2) A public school, charter school, school district,
159charter school administrator, or direct-support organization may
160not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or
161maintain any programs or campus activities that:
162(a) Violate s. 1000.05; or
163(b) Advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or
164promote or engage in political or social activism, as defined by
165the State Board of Education.
166
167Student fees to support student-led organizations are permitted
168notwithstanding any speech or expressive activity by such
169organization which would otherwise violate this subsection,
170provided that the public funds must be allocated to student-led
171organizations pursuant to written policies or regulations of the
172school or district in which the student is enrolled, as
173applicable. Use of school or district facilities by student-led
174organizations is permitted notwithstanding any speech or
175expressive activity by such organizations which would otherwise
176violate this subsection, provided that such use must be granted
177to student-led organizations pursuant to written policies or
178regulations of each school or school district, as applicable.
179(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit programs, campus
180activities, or functions required for compliance with general or
181federal laws or regulations, for obtaining or retaining
182accreditation,or for continuing to receive state funds with the
183approval of either the State Board of Education or the
184department.
185(4) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
186implement this section.
187Section 2. Paragraphs (d) and (i) of subsection (3) of
188section 1002.20, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1891002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public
190school students must receive accurate and timely information
191regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed
192of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12
193students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory
194rights including, but not limited to, the following:
195(3) HEALTH ISSUES.—
196(d) Reproductive health and disease education.—A public
197school student, only with prior written consent by his or her
198parent or guardian [whose parent makes written request] to the
199school principal, shall be provided instruction in [exempted from]
200[the teaching of] reproductive health or any disease, including
201HIV/AIDS, in accordance with s. 1003.42(5).
2021. Each school district shall, on the district’s website
203homepage, notify parents of this right and the process to
204provide or withhold consent [request an exemption]. The homepage
205must include a link for a student’s parent to access and review
206the instructional materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), used
207to teach the curriculum.
2082. Each school district shall annually review and confirm
209that the information provided on the district’s website homepage
210under subparagraph 1. is accurate and up to date and shall
211notify parents by physical or electronic means any time
212revisions are made to such information.
213(i) Epinephrine use and supply.—
2141. A student who has experienced or is at risk for life
215threatening allergic reactions may carry an FDA-approved
216epinephrine delivery device [auto-injector] and self-administer
217epinephrine by FDA-approved delivery device [auto-injector] while
218in school, participating in school-sponsored activities, or in
219transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the
220school has been provided with parental and physician
221authorization. The State Board of Education, in cooperation with
222the Department of Health, shall adopt rules for such use of FDA
223approved epinephrine delivery devices which must [auto-injector][s]
224[that shall] include provisions to protect the safety of all
225students from the misuse or abuse of such delivery devices [auto]
226[injector][s]. A school district, county health department, public
227private partner, and their employees and volunteers shall be
228indemnified by the parent of a student authorized to carry an
229FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device [auto-injector] for any
230and all liability with respect to the student’s use of an FDA
231approved epinephrine delivery device [auto-injector] pursuant to
232this paragraph.
2332. A public school may purchase a supply of FDA-approved
234epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injector][s] from a wholesale
235distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an
236arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as
237defined in s. 499.003 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery
238devices [auto-injector][s] at fair-market, free, or reduced prices
239for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The
240FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injector][s] must be
241maintained in a secure location on the public school’s premises.
242The participating school district shall adopt a protocol
243developed by a licensed physician for the administration by
244school personnel who are trained to recognize an anaphylactic
245reaction and to administer [an] epinephrine by an FDA-approved
246delivery device [auto-injection]. The supply of FDA-approved
247epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injector][s] may be provided to
248and used by a student authorized to self-administer epinephrine
249by FDA-approved delivery device [auto-injector] under subparagraph
2501. or trained school personnel.
2513. The school district and its employees, agents, and the
252physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA
253approved epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injectors] are not
254liable for any injury arising from the use of such [an]
255epinephrine delivery device [auto-injector] administered by
256trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and
257whose professional opinion is that the student is having an
258anaphylactic reaction:
259a. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful
260and wanton;
261b. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the
262student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been
263provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging
264that the school district is not liable; and
265c. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by
266the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s
267physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered
268nurse.
269Section 3. Subsection (17) of section 1002.42, Florida
270Statutes, is amended to read:
2711002.42 Private schools.—
272(17) EPINEPHRINE SUPPLY.—
273(a) A private school may purchase a supply of FDA-approved
274epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injectors] from a wholesale
275distributor as defined in s. 499.003 or may enter into an
276arrangement with a wholesale distributor or manufacturer as
277defined in s. 499.003 for the FDA-approved epinephrine delivery
278devices [auto-injectors] at fair-market, free, or reduced prices
279for use in the event a student has an anaphylactic reaction. The
280FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injectors] must be
281maintained in a secure location on the private school’s
282premises. The participating private school shall adopt a
283protocol developed by a licensed physician for the
284administration by private school personnel who are trained to
285recognize an anaphylactic reaction and to administer epinephrine
286by an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device [auto-injection].
287The supply of FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices [auto]
288[injectors] may be provided to and used by a student authorized to
289self-administer epinephrine by an FDA-approved delivery device
290[auto-injector] under s. 1002.20(3)(i) or trained school
291personnel.
292(b) The private school and its employees, agents, and the
293physician who provides the standing protocol for school FDA
294approved epinephrine delivery devices [auto-injectors] are not
295liable for any injury arising from the use of an FDA-approved
296epinephrine delivery device [auto-injector] administered by
297trained school personnel who follow the adopted protocol and
298whose professional opinion is that the student is having an
299anaphylactic reaction:
3001. Unless the trained school personnel’s action is willful
301and wanton;
3022. Notwithstanding that the parents or guardians of the
303student to whom the epinephrine is administered have not been
304provided notice or have not signed a statement acknowledging
305that the school district is not liable; and
3063. Regardless of whether authorization has been given by
307the student’s parents or guardians or by the student’s
308physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered
309nurse.
310Section 4. Paragraph (i) of subsection (1) of section
3111002.421, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3121002.421 State school choice scholarship program
313accountability and oversight.—
314(1) PRIVATE SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY AND OBLIGATIONS.—A private
315school participating in an educational scholarship program
316established pursuant to this chapter must be a private school as
317defined in s. 1002.01 in this state, be registered, and be in
318compliance with all requirements of this section in addition to
319private school requirements outlined in s. 1002.42, specific
320requirements identified within respective scholarship program
321laws, and other provisions of Florida law that apply to private
322schools, and must:
323(i) Maintain a physical location in the state at which each
324student has regular and direct contact with teachers. Regular
325and direct contact with teachers may be satisfied for students
326enrolled in a personalized education program or for students
327eligible for a scholarship under s. 1002.394(3)(b) if students
328have regular and direct contact with teachers at the physical
329location at least 2 school days per week and the student
330learning plan addresses the remaining instructional time.
331
332The department shall suspend the payment of funds to a private
333school that knowingly fails to comply with this subsection, and
334shall prohibit the school from enrolling new scholarship
335students, for 1 fiscal year and until the school complies. If a
336private school fails to meet the requirements of this subsection
337or has consecutive years of material exceptions listed in the
338report required under paragraph (q), the commissioner may
339determine that the private school is ineligible to participate
340in a scholarship program.
341Section 5. Subsection (6) of section 1002.55, Florida
342Statutes, is amended to read:
3431002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by
344private prekindergarten providers.—
345(6) Each early learning coalition must verify that each
346private prekindergarten provider delivering the Voluntary
347Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s county
348or multicounty region complies with this part. If a private
349prekindergarten provider fails or refuses to comply with this
350part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the
351early learning coalition to remove the provider from eligibility
352to deliver the program and receive state funds under this part
353for a period of [at least] 2 program years [but no more than 5]
354[years].
355Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of section
3561002.61, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3571002.61 Summer prekindergarten program delivered by public
358schools and private prekindergarten providers.—
359(10)
360(b) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school
361fails or refuses to comply with this part or engages in
362misconduct, the department shall require the early learning
363coalition to remove the provider and require the school district
364to remove the school from eligibility to deliver the Voluntary
365Prekindergarten Education Program and receive state funds under
366this part for a period of [at least] 2 program years [but no more]
367[than 5 years].
368Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (9) of section
3691002.63, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3701002.63 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by
371public schools.—
372(9)
373(b) If a public school fails or refuses to comply with this
374part or engages in misconduct, the department shall require the
375school district to remove the school from eligibility to deliver
376the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program and receive
377state funds under this part for a period of [at least] 2 program
378years [but no more than 5 years].
379Section 8. Subsection (3), paragraph (e) of subsection (4),
380paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (5), and paragraph
381(e) of subsection (6) of section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, are
382amended to read:
3831002.68 Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
384accountability.—
385[(3)(a) For the 2020-2021 program year, the department shall]
386[calculate a kindergarten readiness rate for each private]
387[prekindergarten provider and public school participating in the]
388[Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program based upon learning]
389[gains and the percentage of students assessed as ready for]
390[kindergarten. The department shall require that each school]
391[district administer the statewide kindergarten screening in use]
392[before the 2021-2022 school year to each kindergarten student in]
393[the school district within the first 30 school days of the 2021]
394[2022 school year. Private schools may administer the statewide]
395[kindergarten screening to each kindergarten student in a private]
396[school who was enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten]
397[Education Program. Learning gains shall be determined using a]
398[value-added measure based on growth demonstrated by the results]
399[of the preassessment and postassessment in use before the 2021]
400[2022 program year. However, a provider may not be newly placed]
401[on probationary status under this paragraph. A provider]
402[currently on probationary status may only be removed from such]
403[status if the provider earns the minimum rate, determined]
404[pursuant to subsection (5). The methodology for calculating a]
405[provider’s readiness rate may not include students who are not]
406[administered the statewide kindergarten screening.]
407[(b) For the 2021-2022 program year, kindergarten screening]
408[results may not be used in the calculation of readiness rates.]
409[Any private prekindergarten provider or public school]
410[participating in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program]
411[which fails to meet the minimum kindergarten readiness rate for]
412[the 2021-2022 program year is subject to the probation]
413[requirements of subsection (5).]
414(3)[(4)]
415(e) Subject to an appropriation, the department shall
416provide for a differential payment to a private prekindergarten
417provider and public school based on the provider’s designation.
418The maximum differential payment may not exceed a total of 15
419percent of the base student allocation per full-time equivalent
420student under s. 1002.71 attending in the consecutive program
421year for that program. A private prekindergarten provider or
422public school may not receive a differential payment if it
423receives a designation of “proficient” or lower. [Before the]
424[adoption of the methodology, the department shall confer with]
425[the Council for Early Grade Success under s. 1008.2125 before]
426[receiving approval from the State Board of Education for the]
427[final recommendations on the designation system and differential]
428[payments.]
429(4)(a)[(5)(a)] If a public school’s or private
430prekindergarten provider’s program assessment composite score
431for its prekindergarten classrooms fails to meet the minimum
432program assessment composite score for contracting adopted in
433rule by the department, the private prekindergarten provider or
434public school may not participate in the Voluntary
435Prekindergarten Education Program beginning in the consecutive
436program year for a period of 2 program years [and thereafter]
437[until the public school or private prekindergarten provider]
438[meets the minimum composite score for contracting]. A public
439school or private prekindergarten provider may request one
440program assessment per program year in order to requalify for
441participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education
442Program, provided that the public school or private
443prekindergarten provider is not excluded from participation
444under ss. 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), 1002.63(9)(b), or
445paragraph (b) [(5)(b)][ of this section]. If a public school or
446private prekindergarten provider would like an additional
447program assessment completed within the same program year, the
448public school or private prekindergarten provider shall be
449responsible for the cost of the program assessment.
450(c) A private prekindergarten provider or public school
451that is placed on probation must continue the corrective actions
452required under paragraph (b) until the provider or school meets
453the minimum performance metric or designation adopted by the
454department. Failure to meet the requirements of subparagraphs
455(b)1. and 3. shall result in the termination of the provider’s
456or school’s contract to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten
457Education Program for a period of [at least] 2 program years [but]
458[no more than 5 years].
459(d) If a private prekindergarten provider or public school
460remains on probation for 2 consecutive years and fails to meet
461the minimum performance metric or designation, or is not granted
462a good cause exemption by the department, the department shall
463require the early learning coalition to revoke the provider’s
464eligibility and the school district to revoke the school’s
465eligibility to deliver the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education
466Program and receive state funds for the program for a period of
467[at least] 2 program years [but no more than 5 years].
468(5)[(6)]
469(e) A private prekindergarten provider or public school
470granted a good cause exemption shall continue to implement its
471improvement plan and continue the corrective actions required
472under paragraph (4)(b) [(5)(b)] until the provider or school meets
473the minimum performance metric.
474Section 9. Paragraph (m) of subsection (2) of section
4751002.82, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
4761002.82 Department of Education; powers and duties.—
477(2) The department shall:
478(m) Provide technical support to an early learning
479coalition to facilitate the use of a standard statewide provider
480contract adopted by the department to be used with each school
481readiness program provider, with standardized attachments by
482provider type. The department shall publish a copy of the
483standard statewide provider contract on its website. The
484standard statewide contract shall include, at a minimum,
485contracted slots, if applicable, in accordance with the Child
486Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, 45 C.F.R. parts 98
487and 99; quality improvement strategies, if applicable; program
488assessment requirements; and provisions for provider probation,
489termination for cause, and emergency termination for those
490actions or inactions of a provider that pose an immediate and
491serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the
492children. The standard statewide provider contract shall also
493include appropriate due process procedures. During the pendency
494of an appeal of a termination, the provider may not continue to
495offer its services. Any provision imposed upon a provider that
496is inconsistent with, or prohibited by, law is void and
497unenforceable. Provisions for termination for cause must also
498include failure to meet the minimum quality measures established
499under paragraph (n) for a period of 2 [up to 5] years, unless the
500coalition determines that the provider is essential to meeting
501capacity needs based on the assessment under s. 1002.85(2)(i)
502and the provider has an active improvement plan pursuant to
503paragraph (n).
504Section 10. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
5051002.88, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
5061002.88 School readiness program provider standards;
507eligibility to deliver the school readiness program.—
508(2)(a) If a school readiness program provider fails or
509refuses to comply with this part or any contractual obligation
510of the statewide provider contract under s. 1002.82(2)(m), the
511coalition may revoke the provider’s eligibility to deliver the
512school readiness program or receive state or federal funds under
513this chapter for a period of 2 fiscal [5] years.
514Section 11. Subsection (5) of section 1002.91, Florida
515Statutes, is amended to read:
5161002.91 Investigations of fraud or overpayment; penalties.—
517(5) If a school readiness program provider or a Voluntary
518Prekindergarten Education Program provider, or an owner,
519officer, or director thereof, is convicted of, found guilty of,
520or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of
521adjudication, public assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, or
522is acting as the beneficial owner for someone who has been
523convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads guilty or nolo
524contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public assistance
525fraud pursuant to s. 414.39, the early learning coalition shall
526refrain from contracting with, or using the services of, that
527provider for a period of 2 fiscal [5] years. In addition, the
528coalition must [shall] refrain from contracting with, or using the
529services of, any provider that shares an officer or director
530with a provider that is convicted of, found guilty of, or pleads
531guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, public
532assistance fraud pursuant to s. 414.39 for a period of 2 [5]
533years.
534Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) and paragraphs
535(a) and (d) of subsection (4) of section 1002.945, Florida
536Statutes, are amended to read:
5371002.945 Gold Seal Quality Care Program.—
538(3)
539(b) The Department of Education shall establish a process
540that verifies that the accrediting association meets the
541provisions of paragraph (a), which must include an auditing
542program and any other procedures that may reasonably determine
543an accrediting association’s compliance with this section. If an
544accrediting association is not in compliance and fails to cure
545its deficiencies within 30 days, the department shall recommend
546to the state board termination of the accrediting association’s
547participation as an accrediting association in the program for a
548period of [at least] 2 years [but no more than 5 years]. If an
549accrediting association is removed from being an approved
550accrediting association, each child care provider accredited by
551that association shall have up to 1 year to obtain a new
552accreditation from a department-approved accreditation
553association.
554(4) In order to obtain and maintain a designation as a Gold
555Seal Quality Care provider, a child care facility, large family
556child care home, or family day care home must meet the following
557additional criteria:
558(a) The child care provider must not have had any class I
559violations, as defined by rule of the Department of Children and
560Families, for which the Department of Children and Families
561determines that the child care provider is the primary cause of
562the violation within the 2 years preceding its application for
563designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider. Commission of
564a class I violation for which the Department of Children and
565Families determines that the child care provider is the primary
566cause of the violation shall be grounds for termination of the
567designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care provider until the
568provider has no class I violations for a period of 2 years.
569[(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the Department of]
570[Education determines through a formal process that a provider]
571[has been in business for at least 5 years and has no other class]
572[I violations recorded, the department may recommend to the state]
573[board that the provider maintain its Gold Seal Quality Care]
574[status. The state board’s determination regarding such]
575[provider’s status is final.]
576Section 13. Subsections (1), (2), and (5) of section
5771003.42, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
5781003.42 Required instruction.—
579(1)(a) Each district school board shall provide all courses
580required for middle grades promotion, high school graduation,
581and appropriate instruction designed to ensure that students
582meet State Board of Education adopted standards in the following
583subject areas: reading and other language arts, mathematics,
584science, social studies, foreign languages, health and physical
585education, and the arts. The state board must remove a middle
586grades course in the Course Code Directory that does not fully
587integrate all appropriate curricular content required by s.
5881003.41 and may approve a new course only if it meets the
589required curricular content.
590(b) All materials used to teach reproductive health or any
591disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and
592treatment, as part of the courses referenced in subsection (5),
593must be approved by the department.
594(2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
595schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
596and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
597faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
598highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
599following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
600approved methods of instruction, the following:
601(a) The history and content of the Declaration of
602Independence, including national sovereignty, natural law, self
603evident truth, equality of all persons, limited government,
604popular sovereignty, and inalienable rights of life, liberty,
605and property, and how they form the philosophical foundation of
606our government.
607(b) The history, meaning, significance, and effect of the
608provisions of the Constitution of the United States and
609amendments thereto, with emphasis on each of the 10 amendments
610that make up the Bill of Rights and how the constitution
611provides the structure of our government.
612(c) The arguments in support of adopting our republican
613form of government, as they are embodied in the most important
614of the Federalist Papers.
615(d) Flag education, including proper flag display and flag
616salute.
617(e) The elements of civil government, including the primary
618functions of and interrelationships between the Federal
619Government, the state, and its counties, municipalities, school
620districts, and special districts.
621(f) The history of the United States, including the period
622of discovery, early colonies, the War for Independence, the
623Civil War, the expansion of the United States to its present
624boundaries, the world wars, and the civil rights movement to the
625present. American history shall be viewed as factual, not as
626constructed, shall be viewed as knowable, teachable, and
627testable, and shall be defined as the creation of a new nation
628based largely on the universal principles stated in the
629Declaration of Independence.
630(g)1. The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the
631systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other
632groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of
633humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an
634investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the
635ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an
636examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful
637person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity
638in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting
639democratic values and institutions, including the policy,
640definition, and historical and current examples of antisemitism,
641as described in s. 1000.05(8), and the prevention of
642antisemitism. Each school district must annually certify and
643provide evidence to the department, in a manner prescribed by
644the department, that the requirements of this paragraph are met.
645The department shall prepare and offer standards and curriculum
646for the instruction required by this paragraph and may seek
647input from the Commissioner of Education’s Task Force on
648Holocaust Education or from any state or nationally recognized
649Holocaust educational organizations. The department may contract
650with any state or nationally recognized Holocaust educational
651organizations to develop training for instructional personnel
652and grade-appropriate classroom resources to support the
653developed curriculum.
6542. The second week in November shall be designated as
655“Holocaust Education Week” in this state in recognition that
656November is the anniversary of Kristallnacht, widely recognized
657as a precipitating event that led to the Holocaust.
658(h) The history of African Americans, including the history
659of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to
660the development of slavery, the passage to America, the
661enslavement experience, abolition, and the history and
662contributions of Americans of the African diaspora to society.
663Students shall develop an understanding of the ramifications of
664prejudice, racism, and stereotyping on individual freedoms, and
665examine what it means to be a responsible and respectful person,
666for the purpose of encouraging tolerance of diversity in a
667pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic
668values and institutions. Instruction shall include the roles and
669contributions of individuals from all walks of life and their
670endeavors to learn and thrive throughout history as artists,
671scientists, educators, businesspeople, influential thinkers,
672members of the faith community, and political and governmental
673leaders and the courageous steps they took to fulfill the
674promise of democracy and unite the nation. Instructional
675materials shall include the vital contributions of African
676Americans to build and strengthen American society and celebrate
677the inspirational stories of African Americans who prospered,
678even in the most difficult circumstances. Instructional
679personnel may facilitate discussions and use curricula to
680address, in an age-appropriate manner, how the individual
681freedoms of persons have been infringed by slavery, racial
682oppression, racial segregation, and racial discrimination, as
683well as topics relating to the enactment and enforcement of laws
684resulting in racial oppression, racial segregation, and racial
685discrimination and how recognition of these freedoms has
686overturned these unjust laws. However, classroom instruction and
687curriculum may not be used to indoctrinate or persuade students
688to a particular point of view inconsistent with the principles
689enumerated in subsection (3) or the state academic standards.
690Each school district must annually certify and provide evidence
691to the department, in a manner prescribed by the department,
692that the requirements of this paragraph are met. The department
693shall prepare and offer standards and curriculum for the
694instruction required by this paragraph and may seek input from
695the Commissioner of Education’s African American History Task
696Force or from any state or nationally recognized African
697American educational organizations. The department may contract
698with any state or nationally recognized African-American
699educational organizations to develop training for instructional
700personnel and grade-appropriate classroom resources to support
701the developed curriculum.
702(i) The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,
703including the history of Japanese internment camps and the
704incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II; the
705immigration, citizenship, civil rights, identity, and culture of
706Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; and the contributions of
707Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to American society.
708Instructional materials shall include the contributions of Asian
709Americans and Pacific Islanders to American society.
710(j) The elementary principles of agriculture.
711(k) The true effects of all alcoholic and intoxicating
712liquors and beverages and narcotics upon the human body and
713mind.
714(l) Kindness to animals.
715(m) The history of the state.
716(n) The conservation of natural resources.
717(o) Comprehensive age-appropriate and developmentally
718appropriate K-12 instruction on:
7191. Health education that addresses concepts of community
720health, consumer health, environmental health, and family life,
721including:
722a. Injury prevention and safety.
723b. Internet safety.
724c. Nutrition.
725d. Personal health.
726e. Prevention and control of disease.
727f. Substance use and abuse.
728g. Prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and
729human trafficking.
730h. Human embryologic and fetal development.
7312. For students in grades 7 through 12, teen dating
732violence and abuse. This component must include, but not be
733limited to, the definition of dating violence and abuse, the
734warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior, the
735characteristics of healthy relationships, measures to prevent
736and stop dating violence and abuse, and community resources
737available to victims of dating violence and abuse.
7383. For students in grades 6 through 12, awareness of the
739benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the
740consequences of teenage pregnancy.
7414. Life skills that build confidence, support mental and
742emotional health, and enable students to overcome challenges,
743including:
744a. Self-awareness and self-management.
745b. Responsible decisionmaking.
746c. Resiliency.
747d. Relationship skills and conflict resolution.
748e. Understanding and respecting other viewpoints and
749backgrounds.
750f. For grades 9 through 12, developing leadership skills,
751interpersonal skills, organization skills, and research skills;
752creating a résumé, including a digital résumé; exploring career
753pathways; using state career planning resources; developing and
754practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews;
755workplace ethics and workplace law; managing stress and
756expectations; and self-motivation.
7575.a. For students in grades 6 through 12, the social,
758emotional, and physical effects of social media. This component
759must include, but need not be limited to, the negative effects
760of social media on mental health, including addiction; the
761distribution of misinformation on social media; how social media
762manipulates behavior; the permanency of sharing materials
763online; how to maintain personal security and identify
764cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking on the
765Internet; and how to report suspicious behavior encountered on
766the Internet.
767b. The Department of Education shall make available online
768the instructional material being used pursuant to this
769subparagraph, and each district school board shall notify
770parents of its availability.
7716. For students in grades 6 through 12, health education
772addressing human embryologic and fetal development, including:
773a. A high-definition ultrasound video, at least 1 minute in
774duration, showing the development of the heart and other organs
775and movement of the limbs and head; and
776b. A high-quality, computer-generated rendering, animation,
777video, or other multimedia, at least 3 minutes in duration,
778showing and describing the process of fertilization and various
779stages of human development inside the uterus, noting
780significant markers in cell growth and organ development, by
781week, from conception until birth.
782
783Health education and life skills instruction and materials may
784not contradict the principles enumerated in subsection (3).
785(p) Such additional materials, subjects, courses, or fields
786in such grades as are prescribed by law or by rules of the State
787Board of Education and the district school board in fulfilling
788the requirements of law.
789(q) The study of Hispanic contributions to the United
790States.
791(r) The study of women’s contributions to the United
792States.
793(s) The nature and importance of free enterprise to the
794United States economy.
795(t) Civic and character education on the qualities and
796responsibilities of patriotism and citizenship, including
797kindness; respect for authority, life, liberty, and personal
798property; honesty; charity; racial, ethnic, and religious
799tolerance; and cooperation and, for grades 11 and 12, voting
800using the uniform primary and general election ballot described
801in s. 101.151(9).
802(u)1. In order to encourage patriotism, the sacrifices that
803Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our country and
804protecting democratic values worldwide. Such instruction must
805occur on or before Medal of Honor Day. Members of the
806instructional staff are encouraged to use the assistance of
807local veterans and Medal of Honor recipients when practicable.
8082. The history and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial
809Day. Such instruction may include two 45-minute lessons that
810occur on or before the respective holidays.
811(v)1. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the history
812of communism. Such instruction must be age appropriate and
813developmentally appropriate and include:
814a. The history of communism in the United States and
815domestic communist movements, including their histories and
816tactics.
817b. Atrocities committed in foreign countries under the
818guidance of communism.
819c. Comparative discussion of political ideologies, such as
820communism and totalitarianism, which conflict with the
821principles of freedom and democracy essential to the founding
822principles of the United States.
823d. The increasing threat of communism in the United States
824and to our allies through the 20th century, including the events
825of the Cultural Revolution in the People’s Republic of China and
826other mass killings from communist regimes.
827e. The economic, industrial, and political events that have
828preceded and anticipated communist revolutions.
829f. The communist policies of Cuba and the spread of
830communist ideologies throughout Latin America, including the
831roots of the Communist Party of Cuba and guerrilla forces
832throughout Latin America.
8332. The department shall prepare and offer standards for the
834instruction required by this paragraph and may seek input from
835any individual who was a victim of communism or any state or
836nationally recognized organization dedicated to the victims of
837communism.
838
839The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
840and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
841Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
842recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
843offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
844other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
845initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (u). The State
846Board of Education may adopt rules to implement the provisions
847of this section regarding health education addressing human
848embryologic and fetal development.
849(5) A school district, or a school as defined in s.
8501003.01, must notify parents and guardians and obtain written
851consent of a parent or guardian before providing his or her
852student with instruction on HIV/AIDS and its symptoms,
853development, and treatment. A student may not participate in
854such instruction without the prior written consent of his or her
855parent or guardian. A student whose parent or guardian does not
856provide such written consent may not be penalized [Any student]
857[whose parent makes written request to the school principal shall]
858[be exempted from the teaching of reproductive health or any]
859[disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and]
860[treatment. A student so exempted may not be penalized by reason]
861[of that exemption]. Course descriptions for comprehensive health
862education shall not interfere with the local determination of
863appropriate curriculum that [which] reflects local values and
864concerns. Each school district shall, on the district’s website
865homepage, notify parents of this right and the process to
866provide or withhold consent [request an exemption]. The home page
867must include a link for a student’s parent to access and review
868the instructional materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), used
869to teach the curriculum.
870Section 14. Section 1003.4202, Florida Statutes, is created
871to read:
8721003.4202 Comprehensive system of mathematics instruction.—
873(1) Each school district must implement a system of
874comprehensive mathematics instruction for students enrolled in
875prekindergarten through grade 12 and students who exhibit a
876substantial deficiency in early mathematics skills under s.
8771008.25(6).
878(2)Each school district must develop, and submit to the
879district school board for approval, a detailed mathematics
880instruction plan that outlines the components of the district’s
881comprehensive system of mathematics instruction. The plan must
882include all district schools, including charter schools, unless
883a charter school elects to submit a plan independently from the
884school district. A charter school plan must comply with this
885section and must be approved by the charter school’s governing
886body and provided to the charter school’s sponsor.
887(3)Components of the mathematics instruction plan may
888include the following:
889(a)Additional time per day of evidence-based intensive
890mathematics instruction for kindergarten through grade 12
891students which may be delivered during or outside of the regular
892school day.
893(b)Highly qualified mathematics coaches who hold a grades
8945-9 mathematics certification or a grades 6-12 mathematics
895certification and have 3 consecutive years of a highly effective
896district evaluation, pursuant to s. 1012.34, to support
897classroom teachers in making instructional decisions based on
898progress monitoring data collected pursuant to s. 1008.25(8) and
899improve classroom teacher delivery of effective mathematics
900instruction and mathematics intervention.
901(c)Tutoring in mathematics.
902(4)Each school district shall submit its approved
903mathematics instruction plan, including approved mathematics
904instruction plans for each charter school in the district, to
905the school board or charter school governing board by August 1
906of each fiscal year.
907(5)For purposes of this section, the term “evidence-based”
908means demonstrating a statistically significant effect on
909improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes as
910provided in 20 U.S.C. s. 8101(21)(A)(i).
911Section 15. Subsection (1) of section 1003.46, Florida
912Statutes, is amended to read:
9131003.46 Health education; instruction in acquired immune
914deficiency syndrome.—
915(1) Each district school board may provide instruction in
916acquired immune deficiency syndrome education as a specific area
917of health education. Such instruction may include, but is not
918limited to, the known modes of transmission, signs and symptoms,
919risk factors associated with acquired immune deficiency
920syndrome, and means used to control the spread of acquired
921immune deficiency syndrome. The instruction shall be appropriate
922for the grade and age of the student and shall reflect current
923theory, knowledge, and practice regarding acquired immune
924deficiency syndrome and its prevention. The district school
925board must obtain written consent from a student’s parent or
926guardian before the student receives instruction.
927Section 16. Paragraph (f) of subsection (6) of section
9281006.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
9291006.07 District school board duties relating to student
930discipline and school safety.—The district school board shall
931provide for the proper accounting for all students, for the
932attendance and control of students at school, and for proper
933attention to health, safety, and other matters relating to the
934welfare of students, including:
935(6) SAFETY AND SECURITY BEST PRACTICES.—Each district
936school superintendent shall establish policies and procedures
937for the prevention of violence on school grounds, including the
938assessment of and intervention with individuals whose behavior
939poses a threat to the safety of the school community.
940(f) School safety requirements.—Each school district and
941charter school governing board shall comply with the following
942school safety requirements, which apply from 30 minutes before
943the school start time until 30 minutes after the end of the
944school day:
9451. All gates or other access points that restrict ingress
946to or egress from the exclusive zone of a school campus shall
947remain closed and locked when students are on campus. For the
948purposes of this section, the term “exclusive zone” means the
949area within a gate or door allowing access to the interior
950perimeter of a school campus beyond a single point of entry. A
951gate or access point to the exclusive zone may only be open or
952unlocked if one of the following conditions is met:
953a. It is attended or actively staffed when students are on
954campus;
955b. The use complies with a shared use agreement pursuant to
956s. 1013.101;
957c. Another closed and locked gate or access point separates
958the open or unlocked gate from areas occupied by students; or
959d. The school safety specialist, or his or her designee,
960has documented in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool
961portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the gate or
962other access point is not subject to this requirement based upon
963other safety measures at the school. The office may conduct a
964compliance visit pursuant to s. 1001.212(13) to review if such
965determination is appropriate.
966
967This subparagraph does not apply to the nonexclusive zone of a
968school campus. The term “nonexclusive zone” means the area
969outside of the exclusive zone but contained on school property.
970Nonexclusive zones may include, but are not limited to, such
971spaces as parking lots, athletic fields and stadiums, mechanical
972buildings, playgrounds, bus ramps, agricultural spaces, and
973other areas that do not give direct, unimpeded access to the
974exclusive zone.
9752.a. All school classrooms and other instructional spaces
976must be locked to prevent ingress when occupied by students,
977except between class periods when students are moving between
978classrooms or other instructional spaces. If a classroom or
979other instructional space door must be left unlocked or open for
980any reason other than between class periods when students are
981moving between classrooms or other instructional spaces, the
982door must be actively staffed by a person standing or seated at
983the door. [All school classrooms and other instructional spaces]
984[with a permanently installed door lock may also use temporary]
985[door locks during an active assailant incident. The temporary]
986[door lock must be able to be engaged or removed without opening]
987[the door; must be easily removed in a single operation from the]
988[egress side of the door without the use of a key and from the]
989[ingress side of the door with the use of a key or other]
990[credential; may be installed at any height; must otherwise be in]
991[compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code; and must be]
992[integrated into the active assailant response plan.]
993b. Instructional spaces for career and technical education
994which are designed as open areas for which compliance with the
995requirements of sub-subparagraph a. affects the health and
996safety of students may be exempted from compliance with that
997sub-subparagraph by the school safety specialist. To be exempt,
998the school safety specialist, or his or her designee, must
999document in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool portal
 1000  maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the instructional
 1001  space is exempt from these requirements due to negative impacts
 1002  to student health and safety and the presence of other safety
 1003  measures at the school that prevent egress from the
 1004  instructional space to hallways or other classrooms or
 1005  instructional spaces.
 1006  c. Common areas on a school campus, including, but not
 1007  limited to, cafeterias, auditoriums, and media centers, which
 1008  are used for instructional time or student testing must meet the
 1009  requirements of sub-subparagraph a. only when such areas are
 1010  being used for instructional time or student testing.
 1011  3. For schools that do not have a secure exclusive zone,
 1012  all campus access doors, gates, and other access points that
 1013  allow ingress to or egress from a school building shall remain
 1014  closed and locked at all times to prevent ingress, unless:
 1015  a. A person is actively entering or exiting the door, gate,
 1016  or other access point;
 1017  b. The door, gate, or access point is actively staffed by
 1018  school personnel to prevent unauthorized entry; or
 1019  c. The school safety specialist, or his or her designee,
 1020  has documented in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool
 1021  portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools that the open
 1022  and unlocked door, gate, or other access point is not subject to
 1023  this requirement based upon other safety measures at the school.
 1024  There must be at least one locked barrier between classrooms and
 1025  instructional spaces and open school campus.
 1026
 1027  The office may conduct a compliance visit pursuant to s.
 1028  1001.212(13) to review if such determination is appropriate. All
 1029  campus access doors, gates, and other access points may be
 1030  electronically or manually controlled by school personnel to
 1031  allow access by authorized visitors, students, and school
 1032  personnel.
 1033  4. All school classrooms and other instructional spaces
 1034  must clearly and conspicuously mark the safest areas in each
 1035  classroom or other instructional space where students must
 1036  shelter in place during an emergency. Students must be notified
 1037  of these safe areas within the first 10 days of the school year.
 1038  If it is not feasible to clearly and conspicuously mark the
 1039  safest areas in a classroom or other instructional space, the
 1040  school safety specialist, or his or her designee, must document
 1041  such determination in the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool
 1042  portal maintained by the Office of Safe Schools, identifying
 1043  where affected students must shelter in place. The office shall
 1044  assist the school safety specialist with compliance during the
 1045  inspection required under s. 1001.212(13).
 1046
 1047  Persons who are aware of a violation of this paragraph must
 1048  report the violation to the school principal. The school
 1049  principal must report the violation to the school safety
 1050  specialist no later than the next business day after receiving
 1051  such report. If the person who violated this paragraph is the
 1052  school principal or charter school administrator, the report
 1053  must be made directly to the district school superintendent or
 1054  charter school governing board, as applicable.
 1055  Section 17. Present subsection (17) of section 1006.38,
 1056  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (18), a new
 1057  subsection (17) is added to that section, and subsection (15) of
 1058  that section is amended, to read:
 1059  1006.38 Duties, responsibilities, and requirements of
 1060  instructional materials publishers and manufacturers.—This
 1061  section applies to both the state and district approval
 1062  processes. Publishers and manufacturers of instructional
 1063  materials, or their representatives, shall:
 1064  (15) Accurately and fully disclose only the names of those
 1065  persons who actually authored the instructional materials. In
 1066  addition to the penalties provided in subsection (18) [(17)], the
 1067  commissioner may remove from the list of state-adopted
 1068  instructional materials those instructional materials whose
 1069  publisher or manufacturer misleads the purchaser by falsely
 1070  representing genuine authorship.
 1071  (17) Be removed from the list of state-adopted
 1072  instructional materials for a period not to exceed 5 years, if
 1073  the commissioner determines that a publisher or manufacturer has
 1074  violated any provision of the law relating to the content,
 1075  marketing, sale, distribution, or furnishing of instructional
 1076  materials, or any requirement of this part. The commissioner
 1077  also may, in his or her discretion, remove that publisher’s or
 1078  manufacturer’seligibility to offer instructional materials for
 1079  state adoption for a period not to exceed 5 years.
 1080  (a)Before action under this subsection, the department
 1081  must provide written notice identifying the alleged violation
 1082  and afford the publisher or manufacturer at least 15 business
 1083  days to submit a written response and any proposed corrective
 1084  action. The commissioner may shorten this timeframe if student
 1085  safety or an immediate violation of law is implicated.
 1086  (b)As a condition of continued eligibility or
 1087  reinstatement, the commissioner may require corrective actions,
 1088  including revision or replacement of materials at no cost to the
 1089  state or districts, training, or other remediation the
 1090  department prescribes.
 1091  (c)Action taken under this subsection is in addition to,
 1092  and does not limit, any other remedies available under this
 1093  part, including removal of materials under s. 1006.35(3) and
 1094  other applicable penalties.
 1095  Section 18. Subsections (1) and (5) of section 1006.39,
 1096  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1097  1006.39 Production and dissemination of educational
 1098  materials and products by department.—
 1099  (1) Educational materials and products developed by or
 1100  under the direction of the department, through research and
 1101  development or other efforts, including those subject to
 1102  copyright, patent, or trademark, shall be made available for use
 1103  by school districts, teachers, students, administrators, and
 1104  other appropriate persons in the state system of education at
 1105  the earliest practicable date and in the most economical and
 1106  efficient manner possible.
 1107  (5) A school district may purchase instructional materials
 1108  developed by or under the direction of the department at any
 1109  time during which the state academic standards for which the
 1110  materials are aligned is in effect. Such purchases may be used
 1111  by a district to meet the expenditure requirements for
 1112  instructional materials that must be purchased from the state
 1113  adopted list as provided in s. 1006.40 [The department shall not]
 1114  [enter into the business of producing or publishing instructional]
 1115  [materials for general use in classrooms].
 1116  Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) and paragraph
 1117  (a) of subsection (9) of section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, are
 1118  amended to read:
 1119  1008.25 Public school student progression; student support;
 1120  coordinated screening and progress monitoring; reporting
 1121  requirements.—
 1122  (5) READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.—
 1123  (b) A Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program student
 1124  who exhibits a substantial deficiency in early literacy skills
 1125  based upon the results of the administration of the midyear or
 1126  final coordinated screening and progress monitoring under
 1127  subsection (9) shall be referred to the local school district
 1128  and may be eligible to receive instruction in early literacy
 1129  skills before participating in kindergarten. A Voluntary
 1130  Prekindergarten Education Program student who scores below the
 1131  25th [10th] percentile on the final administration of the
 1132  coordinated screening and progress monitoring under subsection
 1133  (9) shall be referred to the local school district and is
 1134  eligible to receive early literacy skill instructional support
 1135  through a summer bridge program the summer before participating
 1136  in kindergarten. The summer bridge program must meet
 1137  requirements adopted by the department and shall consist of 4
 1138  hours of instruction per day for a minimum of 100 total hours. A
 1139  student with an individual education plan who has been retained
 1140  pursuant to paragraph (2)(g) and has demonstrated a substantial
 1141  deficiency in early literacy skills must receive instruction in
 1142  early literacy skills.
 1143  (9) COORDINATED SCREENING AND PROGRESS MONITORING SYSTEM.—
 1144  (a) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the
 1145  Office of Early Learning, shall procure and require the use of a
 1146  statewide, standardized coordinated screening and progress
 1147  monitoring system for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education
 1148  Program and public schools. The system must:
 1149  1. Measure student progress in meeting the appropriate
 1150  expectations in early literacy and mathematics skills and in
 1151  English Language Arts and mathematics standards as required by
 1152  ss. 1002.67(1)(a) and 1003.41 and identify the educational
 1153  strengths and needs of students.
 1154  2. For students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education
 1155  Program through grade 3, measure student performance in oral
 1156  language development, phonological and phonemic awareness,
 1157  knowledge of print and letters, decoding, fluency, vocabulary,
 1158  and comprehension, as applicable by grade level, and, at a
 1159  minimum, provide interval level and norm-referenced data that
 1160  measures equivalent levels of growth.
 1161  3. Be a valid, reliable, and developmentally appropriate
 1162  computer-based direct instrument that provides screening and
 1163  diagnostic capabilities for monitoring student progress;
 1164  identifies students who have a substantial deficiency in reading
 1165  or mathematics, including identifying students with
 1166  characteristics of dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning
 1167  disorders; and informs instruction. Any student identified by
 1168  the system as having characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia
 1169  shall undergo further screening. Beginning with the 2023-2024
 1170  school year, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring
 1171  system must be computer-adaptive.
 1172  4. Provide data for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education
 1173  Program accountability as required under s. 1002.68.
 1174  5. Provide Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
 1175  providers, school districts, schools, teachers, and parents with
 1176  data and resources that enhance differentiated instruction and
 1177  parent communication.
 1178  6. Provide baseline data to the department of each
 1179  student’s readiness for kindergarten. The determination of
 1180  kindergarten readiness must be based on the results of each
 1181  student’s initial progress monitoring assessment in
 1182  kindergarten. The methodology for determining a student’s
 1183  readiness for kindergarten must be developed by the department
 1184  and aligned to the methodology adopted pursuant to s. 1002.68(3)
 1185  [s. 1002.68(4)].
 1186  7. Assess how well educational goals and curricular
 1187  standards are met at the provider, school, district, and state
 1188  levels and provide information to the department to aid in the
 1189  development of educational programs, policies, and supports for
 1190  providers, districts, and schools.
 1191  Section 20. Subsection (5) of section 1008.33, Florida
 1192  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1193  1008.33 Authority to enforce public school improvement.—
 1194  (5) The Department of Education shall annually identify
 1195  each public school district in need of intervention and support
 1196  to improve student academic performance.
 1197  (a)A school district is deemed in need of intervention and
 1198  support if it has 10 percent or more district-operated schools
 1199  that earn a grade of D or F under s. 1008.34.
 1200  (b)Aschool district in need of intervention and support
 1201  must annually submit a district improvement plan in a format
 1202  prescribed by the department. The plan must include provisions
 1203  to improve and monitor, at a minimum, instructional staffing;
 1204  professional learning; fiscal and staffing resources dedicated
 1205  to school improvement; student scheduling, attendance, and
 1206  behavior; and the use of continuous improvement and monitoring
 1207  plans and processes.The plan must be approved by the local
 1208  school board and may be reviewed by the state board for approval
 1209  or denial. District superintendents may be called before the
 1210  state board to provide implementation updates.
 1211  (c)A school district in need of intervention and support
 1212  must submit to the department, as part of the implementation of
 1213  the district improvement plan, at least all of the following
 1214  information:
 1215  1.Monthly vacancy reports for instructional personnel at
 1216  schools earning a grade of D or F.
 1217  2.Monthly teacher absenteeism reports for schools earning
 1218  a grade of D or F.
 1219  3.Monthly student absenteeism reports for schools earning
 1220  a grade of D or F.
 1221  4.Monthly professional learning, activities, and
 1222  expenditures for instructional staff at schools earning a grade
 1223  of D or F.
 1224  5.Monthly professional learning, activities, and
 1225  expenditures for school administrators at schools earning a
 1226  grade of D or F.
 1227  6.Local progress monitoring results that are not part of
 1228  the statewide progress monitoring system.
 1229  (d)The state board may require modifications to or revoke
 1230  the district improvement plan if the district does not provide
 1231  evidence of implementing the plan or submit deliverables in the
 1232  prescribed format or timeframe or if the plan is not showing
 1233  evidence of producing significant district-wide improvement.
 1234  (e) The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to ss.
 1235  120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this section. The rules
 1236  shall include timelines for submission of implementation plans,
 1237  approval criteria for implementation plans, timelines for
 1238  implementing intervention and support strategies, a standard
 1239  charter school turnaround contract, a standard facility lease,
 1240  and a mutual management agreement. The state board shall consult
 1241  with education stakeholders in developing the rules.
 1242  Section 21. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1), subsection
 1243  (6), paragraph (b) of subsection (7), and subsection (9) of
 1244  section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1245  1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
 1246  (1) APPLICATION.—Each person seeking certification pursuant
 1247  to this chapter shall submit a completed application containing
 1248  the applicant’s social security number to the Department of
 1249  Education and remit the fee required pursuant to s. 1012.59 and
 1250  rules of the State Board of Education. Pursuant to the federal
 1251  Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
 1252  of 1996, each party is required to provide his or her social
 1253  security number in accordance with this section. Disclosure of
 1254  social security numbers obtained through this requirement is
 1255  limited to the purpose of administration of the Title IV-D
 1256  program of the Social Security Act for child support
 1257  enforcement.
 1258  (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to a
 1259  qualifying applicant within 14 calendar days after receipt of a
 1260  request from an employer with a professional education
 1261  competence demonstration program pursuant to [paragraph (6)(f)]
 1262  [and] subsection (9). The temporary certificate must cover the
 1263  classification, level, and area for which the applicant is
 1264  deemed qualified. The department shall electronically notify the
 1265  applicant’s employer that the temporary certificate has been
 1266  issued and provide the applicant an official statement of status
 1267  of eligibility at the time the certificate is issued.
 1268
 1269  The statement of status of eligibility must be provided
 1270  electronically and must advise the applicant of any
 1271  qualifications that must be completed to qualify for
 1272  certification. Each method by which an applicant can complete
 1273  the qualifications for a professional certificate must be
 1274  included in the statement of status of eligibility. Each
 1275  statement of status of eligibility is valid for 5 years after
 1276  its date of issuance, except as provided in paragraph (2)(d).
 1277  (6) MASTERY OF PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND EDUCATION
 1278  COMPETENCE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of
 1279  professional preparation and education competence are:
 1280  (a) Successful completion of an approved teacher
 1281  preparation program at a postsecondary educational institution
 1282  within this state and achievement of a passing score on the
 1283  professional education competency examination required by state
 1284  board rule;
 1285  (b) Successful completion of a teacher preparation program
 1286  at a postsecondary educational institution outside Florida and
 1287  achievement of a passing score on the professional education
 1288  competency examination required by state board rule;
 1289  (c) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching
 1290  certificate issued by another state;
 1291  (d) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the
 1292  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national
 1293  educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of
 1294  Education;
 1295  (e) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time
 1296  or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution,
 1297  state university, or private college or university that awards
 1298  an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution
 1299  or an institution of higher education identified by the
 1300  Department of Education as having a quality program and
 1301  achievement of a passing score on the professional education
 1302  competency examination required by state board rule;
 1303  (f) [Successful completion of professional preparation]
 1304  [courses as specified in state board rule, successful completion]
 1305  [of a professional education competence program pursuant to]
 1306  [subsection (9), and documentation of 3 years of being rated]
 1307  [effective or highly effective under s. 1012.34 while holding a]
 1308  [temporary certificate;]
 1309  [(g)] Successful completion of a professional learning
 1310  certification program, outlined in subsection (8); or
 1311  (g)[(h)] Successful completion of a competency-based
 1312  certification program pursuant to s. 1004.85 and achievement of
 1313  a passing score on the professional education competency
 1314  examination required by rule of the State Board of Education.
 1315
 1316  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this
 1317  subsection, including rules to approve specific teacher
 1318  preparation programs that are not identified in this subsection
 1319  which may be used to meet requirements for mastery of
 1320  professional preparation and education competence.
 1321  (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
 1322  (b) Beginning July 1, 2026, the department shall issue a
 1323  temporary certificate to any applicant who:
 1324  1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
 1325  (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content requirements
 1326  specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
 1327  area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and holds an
 1328  accredited degree or a degree approved by the Department of
 1329  Education at the level required for the subject area
 1330  specialization in state board rule;
 1331  2. For a subject area specialization for which the state
 1332  board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree, documents 48
 1333  months of active-duty military service with an honorable
 1334  discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements
 1335  outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f); completes the
 1336  subject area content requirements specified in state board rule
 1337  or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to
 1338  subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits
 1339  with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0
 1340  scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of
 1341  higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher
 1342  learning identified by the Department of Education as having a
 1343  quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher; or
 1344  3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation
 1345  program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required
 1346  program field experience or internship at a public school;
 1347  completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b),
 1348  and (d)-(f); completes the subject area content requirements
 1349  specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
 1350  area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents
 1351  completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade
 1352  point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more
 1353  accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited
 1354  institution of higher learning identified by the Department of
 1355  Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s
 1356  degree or higher.
 1357
 1358  At least 1 year before an individual’s temporary certificate is
 1359  set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the
 1360  individual of the date on which his or her certificate will
 1361  expire and provide a list of each method by which the
 1362  qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.
 1363  (9) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.—
 1364  (a) Each school district must and a private school or
 1365  state-supported public school, including a charter school, may
 1366  develop and maintain a program [system] by which members of the
 1367  instructional staff may demonstrate mastery of professional
 1368  preparation and education competence as required by law. The
 1369  professional education competency program must:
 1370  1. Be based on classroom application of the Florida
 1371  Educator Accomplished Practices and instructional performance
 1372  and, for public schools, must be aligned with the district’s or
 1373  state-supported public school’s evaluation system established
 1374  under s. 1012.34, as applicable.
 1375  2. Include an individualized plan tailored to each
 1376  candidate to determine the appropriate professional learning
 1377  plan.
 1378  3. Monitor candidate performance to ensure candidates are
 1379  meeting program expectations and implement a remediation process
 1380  for candidates not meeting program performance expectations.
 1381  4. Assign candidates to a mentor who meets the requirements
 1382  of paragraph (7)(e).
 1383  (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
 1384  determine the initial and continued approval of programs
 1385  implemented under this subsection [Each program must be based on]
 1386  [classroom application of the Florida Educator Accomplished]
 1387  [Practices and instructional performance and, for public schools,]
 1388  [must be aligned with the district’s or state-supported public]
 1389  [school’s evaluation system established under s. 1012.34, as]
 1390  [applicable.]
 1391  [(b) ][The Commissioner of Education shall determine the]
 1392  [continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph,]
 1393  [based upon the department’s review of performance data. The]
 1394  [department shall review the performance data as a part of the]
 1395  [periodic review of each school district’s professional learning]
 1396  [system required under s. 1012.98].
 1397  Section 22. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of subsection (1) of
 1398  section 1014.05, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1399  1014.05 School district notifications on parental rights.—
 1400  (1) Each district school board shall, in consultation with
 1401  parents, teachers, and administrators, develop and adopt a
 1402  policy to promote parental involvement in the public school
 1403  system. Such policy must include:
 1404  (d) Procedures, pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), for a parent
 1405  to provide or withhold consent for his or her minor child to
 1406  participate in [withdraw his or her minor child from any portion]
 1407  [of] the school district’s [comprehensive health education required]
 1408  [under s. 1003.42(2)(o) that relates to sex education or]
 1409  instruction on reproductive health or any disease, including
 1410  HIV/AIDS [in acquired immune deficiency syndrome education or any]
 1411  [instruction regarding sexuality if the parent provides a written]
 1412  [objection to his or her minor child’s participation]. Such
 1413  procedures must provide for a parent to be notified in advance
 1414  of such course content so that he or she may provide or withdraw
 1415  his or her minor child from those portions of the course.
 1416  (f) Procedures for a parent to learn about parental rights
 1417  and responsibilities under general law, including all of the
 1418  following:
 1419  1. Pursuant to s. 1002.20(3)(d), the right to be notified
 1420  in advance and to provide or withhold consent before his or her
 1421  minor child participates in [opt his or her minor child out of]
 1422  [any portion of] the school district’s instruction on reproductive
 1423  health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS [comprehensive health]
 1424  [education required under s. 1003.42(2)(o) that relates to sex]
 1425  [education instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome]
 1426  [education or any instruction regarding sexuality].
 1427  2. A plan to disseminate information, pursuant to s.
 1428  1002.20(6), about school choice options, including open
 1429  enrollment.
 1430  3. In accordance with s. 1002.20(3)(b), the right of a
 1431  parent to exempt his or her minor child from immunizations.
 1432  4. In accordance with s. 1008.22, the right of a parent to
 1433  review statewide, standardized assessment results.
 1434  5. In accordance with s. 1003.57, the right of a parent to
 1435  enroll his or her minor child in gifted or special education
 1436  programs.
 1437  6. In accordance with s. 1006.28(2)(a)1., the right of a
 1438  parent to inspect school district instructional materials.
 1439  7. In accordance with s. 1008.25, the right of a parent to
 1440  access information relating to the school district’s policies
 1441  for promotion or retention, including high school graduation
 1442  requirements.
 1443  8. In accordance with s. 1002.20(14), the right of a parent
 1444  to receive a school report card and be informed of his or her
 1445  minor child’s attendance requirements.
 1446  9. In accordance with s. 1002.23, the right of a parent to
 1447  access information relating to the state public education
 1448  system, state standards, report card requirements, attendance
 1449  requirements, and instructional materials requirements.
 1450  10. In accordance with s. 1002.23(4), the right of a parent
 1451  to participate in parent-teacher associations and organizations
 1452  that are sanctioned by a district school board or the Department
 1453  of Education.
 1454  11. In accordance with s. 1002.222(1)(a), the right of a
 1455  parent to opt out of any district-level data collection relating
 1456  to his or her minor child not required by law.
 1457  Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
 1458  1008.2125, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1459  1008.2125 The Council for Early Grade Success.—
 1460  (1) The Council for Early Grade Success, a council as
 1461  defined in s. 20.03(7), is created within the Department of
 1462  Education to oversee the coordinated screening and progress
 1463  monitoring program under s. 1008.25(9) for students in the
 1464  Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3 and,
 1465  except as otherwise provided in this section, shall operate
 1466  consistent with s. 20.052.
 1467  (a) The council shall be responsible for reviewing the
 1468  implementation of, training for, and outcomes from the
 1469  coordinated screening and progress monitoring program to provide
 1470  recommendations to the department that support grade 3 students
 1471  reading at or above grade level. The council, at a minimum,
 1472  shall:
 1473  1. Provide recommendations on the implementation of the
 1474  coordinated screening and progress monitoring program, including
 1475  reviewing any procurement solicitation documents and criteria
 1476  before being published.
 1477  2. Develop training plans and timelines for such training.
 1478  3. Identify appropriate personnel, processes, and
 1479  procedures required for the administration of the coordinated
 1480  screening and progress monitoring program.
 1481  4. Provide input on the methodology for calculating a
 1482  provider’s or school’s performance metric and designations under
 1483  s. 1002.68(3) [s. 1002.68(4)].
 1484  5. Work with the department to review the methodology for
 1485  determining a child’s kindergarten readiness.
 1486  6. Review data on age-appropriate learning gains by grade
 1487  level that a student would need to attain in order to
 1488  demonstrate proficiency in reading by grade 3.
 1489  7. Continually review anonymized data from the results of
 1490  the coordinated screening and progress monitoring program for
 1491  students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program
 1492  through grade 3 to help inform recommendations to the department
 1493  that support practices that will enable grade 3 students to read
 1494  at or above grade level.
 1495  Section 24. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.