2008 Legislative Agenda
Highlights of the 2008 Legislative Session
Stronger Accountability for Florida High Schools (SB 1908)
In groundbreaking reform proposed by Senator Don Gaetz, Florida high schools will now be graded on a more comprehensive set of criteria. The new law adds graduation rates, participation and performance of students in accelerated learning programs, such as Advanced Placement courses, college readiness and end-of-course exams to the school grading formula. Previously, school grades were based solely on FCAT scores in reading and math in ninth and tenth grade and science in eleventh grade, which emphasized performance and progress of students in the first two years of high school. Adding these meaningful and objective measures more accurately reflects the progress made by our 11th and 12th grade students, which provides a better indicator of the quality of education in Florida’s high schools.
Expanding Options for Florida’s Students and Parents (HB 653)
A measure sponsored by Senator Gaetz and Representative Trey Traviesa significantly grows the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship program, giving more parents access to a quality education of their choice for their child. The successful, cost saving school choice program will now provide scholarships to an additional seven thousand students in low-income families. For the first time ever, the program will provide this opportunity to Florida’s foster kids, an expansion recommended by the Foundation for Florida’s Future.