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Your voice has already made a difference for children, teachers, and public schools as the state issued an Emergency Order on testing today!

As the Florida Legislative session enters its final weeks, the budget and many policies that will impact our children, educators and their schools are moving through their last committees. We all must stay engaged until this 60 day session is over.

To find the status of the issues you care about, read the update below and visit the Advocacy Dashboard to take action for students. We make it easy to identify and contact your legislators via email and/or social media. These pages are continually updated. Together, we can advocate for policies that invest in children and support their future.

You did it! Testing accountability waived

The pandemic has had an incredible impact on children, teachers and public schools. The governor listened to parents, educators and districts and has waived the harsh impacts from state tests like FSA. The results will not be used to grade/fund schools, retain students, or evaluate teachers. Tell the governor and your legislators thank you for listening to advocates.

TAKE ACTION

Safe Schools bill needs Senate action

A bill that requires crisis intervention training and de-escalation skills for school safety officers is moving through the House. It needs an amendment to reduce the required number of active shooter drills. The Senate must take up a similar effort. Tell your senator and leadership to keep Florida's students safe.

School Vouchers drain funding

The full Senate will vote on a bill (SB 48) that drastically expands voucher programs. A similar bill is moving to the House floor. These programs drain millions of dollars from public schools, colleges and universities every year by paying for children to attend unregulated, privately owned schools with no accountability or oversight. Tell your elected officials to support Florida's students by investing in public schools, colleges and universities.

TAKE ACTION

Bright Futures passes Senate

A bill to change Bright Futures as we know it has passed the Senate on a nearly party line vote. This bill eliminates Bright Futures funding guarantees so the monies may be used for an expensive voucher bill (see above). We can still kill this bill. Tell Gov. DeSantis and House representatives that Florida's best and brightest deserve better.