Legislative and Policy Outlook J.F. “Jeff” McCullers

Gov. Scott Governor  Term ends in January 2019  If he resigns to run for U.S. Senate in 2018, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera would accede.  Education priorities:  Increase per public funding to record high while cutting $1 billion in taxes  Increase K-12 education funding by $500 million ($420 million would be local funding)  Streamline state assessment program  Charter school support

Florida House of Representatives  Officer elections in November 2016  Rep. Steve Cristafulli (R-Merritt Island) will end his two-year term as Speaker  New President will be Rep. Richard Corcoran (R-Land O' Lakes)  Education priorities:  Universal school vouchers  Charter school support Rep. Corcoran

Florida Senate  Officer elections in November 2016  Sen. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) will end his two-year term as President  New President will be Sen. Joe Negron (R-Stuart)  Sen. Latvala (R-Clearwater) will head Senate Budget Committee.  Education priorities:  Universal school vouchers  Charter school support  Elected Secretary of Education Sen. Negron

Notable 2016 Bills BillsSummary HJR 767 SJR 942 Restore elected Commissioner of Education HB 189Requires student achievement gains for teacher certification HJR 539 SJR 734 Allows partisan School Board elections; allows abolition of school districts; allows for creation of new school districts HJR 759 SJR 976 Allows statewide approval of charter schools SB 808Allows municipalities to serve as sponsors of charter schools HB 7011 SB 672 Expands voucher programs HB 7029Expands authority of charter school governing boards

The End of the No Child Left Behind Era

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 Sen. Alexander

ELIMINATED  100% proficiency requirement  State waivers  Adequate yearly progress  Highly-qualified teachers  Federal requirements for education paraprofessionals  Secretary’s authority to waive most requirements  Secretary’s ability to promote or encourage adoption of standards

RETAINED  Supplement, not supplant  Maintenance of effort  Student testing and reporting  Subgroup reporting  FERPA  NAEP participation  Magnet Schools Assistance Program  21 st Century Learning Centers Program  Arts in Education  Gifted & Talented Programs

CREATED  New state plans required for School Year  State “opt out plans” (but with 95% requirement)  Block grants for smaller federal grant programs (PE, tech, AP, history)  New preschool programs  New STEM Master Teacher Program  New Teacher and School Leader Innovation Program (replacing TIF)  Evaluation of early childhood programs and Title I  Support for private alternative teacher preparation programs  “Well rounded education” to include community support services  State ombudsman for private school participation in federal programs

New U.S. Secretary of Education Outgoing Secretary Arne Duncan Incoming Secretary John King

Challenges for New Secretary  Manage political climate surrounding Common Core State Standards  Implement new Uniform Grant Guidance  Close out No Child Left Behind (many waivers still in play)  Prepare for Every Student Succeeds (many changes in grant programs)  Serve outgoing President during presidential election year  Work with first-time Speaker of the House and powerful Senate majority leader

Challenges for Grant Developers  Support for state issues  Increasing enrollment  New accountability environment  Essentially flat state funding  Possible profound changes to District structure, authority, and governance  Educate colleagues and implement new Green Book  Legislative redistricting  Support for federal issues  Educate colleagues and implement new Uniform Grant Guidance  Reductions to federal formula grant programs  Block grant for some competitive federal programs  End of state waivers (ELLs)  New federal grant programs (rulemaking process)

Legislative and Policy Outlook J.F. “Jeff” McCullers