The Florida House unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday as part of an effort to “deregulation” public schools, with the measure allowing school districts more flexibility in certain reporting requirements.
For example, the bill (SB 7002) would allow districts to post notices of intent to adopt tentative budgets on their websites, replacing the requirement that such notices be published in newspapers.
The Senate approved the bill last month, but the House amended it. For example, the House approved requiring the State Board of Education to waive exam and certification fees for certain teachers who want to improve their teaching credentials.
The fee waivers could be used by educators who are certified to teach exceptional student education in kindergarten through high school and want to “add a subject coverage” by teaching elementary education in kindergarten through sixth grade.
The waivers could also be used by elementary education certified teachers who want to pursue certification in exceptional student education. Rep. Robin Bartleman (D-Weston) praised the proposed fee waivers.
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“It’s a lot for teachers to take out of their pocket,” Bartleman, a former educator, said of such fees.
With the House revisions, the bill will have to go back to the Senate for further consideration. Meanwhile, two other education “deregulation” bills await votes by the full House after passing in the Senate.
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