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The Legislature could release preliminary budget numbers as early as this week. It is very important that legislators hear from you regarding funding for schools, state colleges and universities. Every day, Florida politicians are making funding and policy decisions that greatly affect our student and our schools.

Last week, legislators continued to advance bills that would increase the amount of testing for students, slash school board members' salaries, restrict school libraries, and expand access to Bright Futures. It is so important to tell our elected officials what we want for children, teachers, and public schools.

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. Together, we can advocate for policies that invest in children and support their future.

2022 Legislative Session Important Issues

2022 Budget: We must invest in kids

There's no denying Florida's students and teachers have been through a lot these past two years. We all must demand that the Legislature make public education a priority and give students and educators the resources they desperately need to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Tell your legislators that Florida's students and teachers deserve our investment.

TAKE ACTION

More testing or less testing?

Although original claims said there would be no more FSA and less state testing overall, a proposed bill in the Florida Senate actually adds more testing throughout the year- including computer based testing for pre-K children. The Senate has already passed this bill through 2 of its 3 committees. The House will debate it for the first time. It is imperative they hear from you.

Now is our opportunity to push for the removal of punitive stakes tied to testing and end the excessive amount of time spent testing not learning.

TAKE ACTION

Kids need important mental health programs and a well-rounded education

The House and Senate are debating legislation to prohibit vital, mental health programs and accurate, high-quality teaching for our children. Our future economy depends on every child from every corner of our state receiving a well-rounded education. Schools must not be a place for political agendas and fear.

We must demand that schools have the resources to meet every child’s needs with social-emotional programs and a high-quality curriculum to create a better future for us all.

Speak up to expand Bright Futures

A proposal to change requirements for Bright Futures scholarships is moving through the House and Senate. These bills would expand access to scholarships for students who need or want to have valuable, paid work experience instead of volunteer service in order to qualify.

Tell your representative and senator to expand access to scholarships for more students.