FloridaSB 1822026SenateWALLET

Education

Sponsored By: Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationEducation Pre-K - 12Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 EducationFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Teacher mentors can earn stipends

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida’s Department of Education must establish a teacher mentoring program for schools graded D or F. Districts and charter schools can offer mentors to new teachers, teachers previously rated needs improvement, developing, or unsatisfactory, and teachers administrators identify as struggling with classroom behavior. Current or retired mentors need at least three years of prekindergarten-through-grade-12 teaching experience and a highly effective rating on their latest evaluation. Each mentoring relationship lasts one grading period, and mentors may receive up to $3,000, subject to funding. Retired mentors can guide five teachers at once; current teachers can guide one. Districts can use available Educational Enrichment Allocation funds for the program, but the law guarantees no amount for mentoring.

Charter students gain academic dismissal protection

Beginning July 1, 2026, charter schools cannot dismiss students for academic performance while implementing a school improvement or corrective action plan. The protection lasts while the school carries out the applicable plan.

Elementary students get required cursive lessons

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida public school students must receive cursive writing lessons in grades 3 through 5. Lessons cover letter formation, spacing, alignment, and writing complete words and sentences. By the end of grade 5, students must demonstrate that they can read and write cursive.

Private schools get more building options

Beginning July 1, 2026, private schools with 150 or fewer students can use commercial or mixed-use districts without rezoning, special exceptions, or land-use changes. This zoning rule also covers schools in the unincorporated county area specified in Florida Statutes section 125.011. Qualifying schools are exempt from most local requirements, but officials may require proportionate traffic and pedestrian-safety measures tied directly to school impacts. Schools may instead submit a study showing no disproportionate impact compared with other allowed uses. Schools with 150 or fewer students can also use existing assembly, day care, store, or business buildings that meet fire-code standards for existing schools. A qualified registered design professional’s evaluation showing at least equivalent safety counts as evidence of compliance.

Closed scholarship accounts fund other scholarships

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship accounts must close after fraud- or abuse-related eligibility denial or revocation, or two consecutive fiscal years of inactivity. Accounts also close after 30 days without eligible private school enrollment when the scholarship requires full-time enrollment. Remaining money returns to the scholarship organization, rather than the state, for other scholarships. Organizations must track this money separately and spend it on scholarships that fiscal year, carrying leftovers into the following fiscal year for spending. They must report closed accounts and returned amounts to Florida’s Department of Education by July 1 each year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Affiliation unavailable
Education Pre-K - 12
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 306 • No: 11

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 91 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Education Pre-K - 12 Vote