FloridaHB 11052025HouseWALLET

Education

Sponsored By: Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationCareers & Workforce SubcommitteeStudent Academic Success SubcommitteeEducation & Employment CommitteeHigher Education Budget SubcommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

23 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 2 costs, 7 mixed.

Advanced coursework opens another scholarship route

Beginning with 2025–2026 graduates, the College Board's Advanced Placement Capstone designation adds a route to Florida Academic Scholars eligibility. Students need scores of at least 3 on six exams, including Seminar and Research. Students starting high school before 2025–2026 need four additional Advanced Placement exam scores of at least 3. Later entrants need three exams covering specified graduation subjects and one chosen subject, all with scores of at least 3. The designation does not replace standard diploma requirements.

Assessment setbacks need not block college

Students with 24 standard-diploma credits who have not passed a required or alternate assessment by grade 12 can take the College Placement Test. They can enter Florida College System developmental or credit courses as appropriate, without first receiving a certificate of completion. Certificate career programs also accept students with 24 required credits or an eligible 18-credit program despite those assessment setbacks. Passing an assessment may still be required for a standard diploma. These access changes do not provide tuition assistance.

New job badges for eligible students

The Department of Education must implement a workforce credential program with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities. The deadline is January 31, 2026; students with autism or on a modified curriculum qualify. Each badge requires five demonstrated employer-relevant skills or behaviors, including workplace safety. Two instructional staff members specializing in exceptional student education must validate each badge. Reports cover calendar years 2026 through 2030 and are due January 31 of the following year.

Paid work counts toward student scholarships

Florida Academic Scholars applicants can meet the service requirement with 100 hours of volunteering, paid work, or both. Medallion Scholars applicants can use 75 volunteer hours, 100 paid hours, or 100 combined hours. Paid-work options are no longer limited to specified graduating classes. Hours need written records signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and an organization representative. Students must also evaluate and reflect on the experience.

Scholarship access expands for service families

Bright Futures initial eligibility includes a diploma exception for students educated outside Florida while living with a parent or guardian. That parent or guardian must have been assigned to military or public service away from Florida. The exception also covers retirement from that assignment within 12 months before the student's high school graduation. Other scholarship requirements still apply.

Career scholarships require credits and grades

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars applicants must complete at least three high school career and technical education credits. On-the-job training cannot replace any of those credits. Applicants need an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.5 out of 4.0 in those courses. General Bright Futures eligibility requirements also apply.

Career scholarships change service hour rules

Gold Seal Vocational and Gold Seal CAPE applicants entering grade 9 in 2024–2025 or later need 75 volunteer hours. Earlier students retain the 30-hour volunteer option. Students can instead complete 100 approved paid-work hours or 100 combined volunteer and paid-work hours. Volunteer hours need written records signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and an organization representative. Paid work needs approval from the district, private school administrators, or the Department of Education for home-education students.

Completion certificates end; extra schooling remains

Students completing 24 required credits, or an eligible 18-credit program, no longer receive the specified certificate of completion. This applies when they fail a required assessment or do not reach a 2.0 grade point average. They can choose up to one additional year of high school, full-time or part-time, with instruction addressing their gaps. By January 1, 2026, the Department of Education must create a guide explaining options for students without standard diplomas. Districts must include it with those students' official transcripts and can add local options.

Disability transition access and diploma planning

Eligible disability-scholarship students ages 17 through 22 without a high school diploma can enter participating private-school transition-to-work programs. A certificate of completion does not bar entry; programs include academics, work skills, and volunteer or paid experience. Districts must revise a certificate-of-completion intent in an individualized education program at its annual review. During transition planning, parents working with the education team must declare an intent to earn a standard diploma.

Students face tighter school device limits

Elementary and middle school students cannot use wireless devices during the school day. High school students cannot use them during class unless a teacher expressly directs use solely for learning. District rules must allow designated-location use with an administrator's express permission and use under disability education or Section 504 plans. Exceptions also cover a qualifying physician's written certification supported by clinical reasoning or evidence. For grades 9 through 12, instructional staff can designate classroom device areas within the district's student conduct code.

Arts students gain credit and recognition

Two years of marching band can satisfy either one physical education credit or one performing arts credit for graduation. It cannot replace personal fitness or adaptive physical education required by an individualized education program or Section 504 plan. A qualifying Advanced International Certificate of Education arts course with a B or higher counts toward one Fine Arts seal requirement. Students still need a standard diploma, A grades in required fine arts courses, and at least two additional seal requirements.

Career schools must promote scholarship opportunities

Career academies and secondary schools offering career-themed courses must promote and provide opportunities to earn Gold Seal scholarships. They must support opportunities for at least the Vocational Scholars or CAPE Scholars award. Specified local and state-approved partners must also promote both awards in their strategic three-year plans. These promotion requirements do not change award amounts or eligibility.

Schools must address dual enrollment barriers

Career centers must make yearly agreements with each high school in the districts they serve. Agreements must explain transportation for students unable to provide their own and how students receive notice. Both these agreements and district agreements with public colleges must address scheduling changes to increase access and participation. The agreements are due to the Department of Education by August 1 each year.

Students gain applied coursework and guidance

The Department of Education must develop more equivalent, applied, or integrated courses alongside career education courses. Courses meeting state requirements can count toward both course credit and required graduation coursework. Schools must include qualifying work-related internships in counseling materials alongside graduation courses. Those internships must have State Board of Education approval and appear in the course code directory.

Charter schools gain career education grants

Charter schools join districts and Florida College System institutions as eligible applicants for Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive grants. Grants support new or expanded career programs leading to certifications on the state's CAPE funding list. Postsecondary programs qualify only when they also serve students in grades 6 through 12. Job engine charter applications receive priority. Funds cannot cover recurring teaching costs or institutional indirect costs; no grant amount is stated.

Districts gain broader insurance spending authority

Districts gain a broader casualty-insurance category for spending specified school property-tax revenue on property and casualty insurance premiums. The limit remains $200 per unweighted full-time equivalent student. Revenue freed through premium payments can fund only nonrecurring operating costs. Spending remains subject to the applicable tax-budget rules.

Some private schools bypass zoning changes

In a county with four incorporated municipalities, private schools can build temporary or permanent facilities on specified properties under existing zoning. They do not need rezoning, special exceptions, land-use changes, or mitigation requirements. Eligible sites include college or university property and recently used school or licensed child care property. Certain civic, cultural, and church properties qualify when actively used within 5 years of the school's agreement. Sites must serve only allowed purposes, and facilities must meet health, fire, building, and other safety requirements.

State sets new teacher math standards

The Department of Education must establish mathematics endorsement competencies by August 1, 2026, with State Board of Education approval. They must cover elementary and secondary topics, including numbers, fractions, algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis, and probability. The competencies must align with evidence-based math teaching and intervention strategies.

Charter schools receive shared surtax funding

Interlocal agreements including a school district must require sharing its allocated local infrastructure sales surtax revenue with eligible charter schools. Shares follow specified enrollment measures, and schools must use the money for allowed capital expenses. Uncommitted funds return to the sponsor when a charter ends and the school dissolves. The amended allowable-use rules apply only to levies voters authorize on or after July 1, 2025.

Student scholarships exclude transportation access fees

Bright Futures award calculations exclude transportation access fees. This applies to Academic Scholars, Medallion Scholars, Gold Seal Vocational Scholars, and Gold Seal CAPE Scholars. These awards do not include money for that fee. The law does not state the fee amount.

School bus trespass enforcement expands

School trespass enforcement covers public and private school grounds and facilities, plus district-owned, operated, or contracted student buses. A clearly posted sign or specified verbal warning can satisfy the notice requirement for immediate arrest and prosecution. The warning must prohibit unauthorized boarding or remaining and state that violators face prosecution. Officers can arrest without a warrant when they have probable cause of school trespass, including on a school bus.

Cities gain employer-linked charter school option

Qualifying municipalities can seek an authorized sponsor's approval for a job engine charter school intended to attract employers. Its charter must require career education, special education administration services, and sufficient security technology. Annual public reports must describe investments to attract and retain employers. The school may favor children of employees at employers named in that report. The municipality is responsible for all school debts.

New rules for charter school conversions

Schools must operate for at least 2 years before conversion; at least 50% of voting parents must support it, with a majority participating. Parents may apply, and the prior teacher-support requirement is removed. Denials require written reasons and supporting documents within 10 days after the denial meeting. Districts cannot charge parent, principal, school advisory council, or teacher organizers rent for existing facilities or normally inventoried property. That property must stay with the school, while municipalities must negotiate rental fees with the district.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jennifer Kincart Jonsson
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable
Education & Employment Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Higher Education Budget Subcommittee
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/2/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 26 • No: 5

House vote • 5/2/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 85 • No: 14

Senate vote • 5/1/2025