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On Friday, March 6, the full House took up HB 7067 (Education), and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, chair of the House Education Committee, answered questions on the bill. The proposal would accelerate growth of the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program, which provides scholarships for nearly 18,000 students from low-income families to attend non-public schools this year. In addition to boosting the formula that increases the number of students allowed to participate in the program each year, the bill removes the requirement to attend public school the year prior to participation for students in grades 1 and 2. It also allows students to take up to two Florida Virtual School courses per school year without reducing their basic FES scholarship amounts.

On second reading in the House, HB 7103 (Education), was amended with an FCCB supported measure that provides dual enrollment equity for private school students. Public and home-school students currently do not have to pay for dual enrollment courses at nearby colleges. The provision would make college more affordable for Florida families by increasing access to dual enrollment courses at state colleges and universities for private high school students. Certain courses would be made available without requiring payment by the family or the student's school. HB 7103 was placed on third reading for Monday, March 9.

House and Senate committees approved bills that would accelerate growth of the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program, which provides scholarships for nearly 18,000 students from low-income families to attend non-public schools this year. In addition to boosting the formula that increases the number of students allowed to participate in the program each year, the bills remove the requirement to attend public school the year prior to participation for students in grades 1 and 2. They also allow students to take up to two Florida Virtual School courses per school year without reducing their basic FES scholarship amounts

On February 18, an FCCB supported measure that provides dual enrollment equity for private school students was approved by committees in the House and Senate. Public and home-school students currently do not have to pay for dual enrollment courses at nearby colleges.

The Catholic Church proudly advocates for true parental empowerment in education. We support both legislation that expands state scholarship programs as well as a strong system of public education. We support policies, which address the best interests of all schoolchildren. The availability of both private, including faith-based schools as well as a well-funded public education system strengthens all schools. A government-run education monopoly breeds mediocrity and wastes dollars.

Across the nation, colorful signs and banners announcing the 46th annual National Catholic Schools Week are proudly displayed. Alumni are returning to their roots with gratitude to share with today's Catholic schoolchildren their career journeys and life lessons. Activities including community service days, open houses and Masses are being held, all celebrating the academic, spiritual and financial benefits our society reaps from Catholic schools.

On Monday, December 9, James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, testified on behalf of HB 2565 (Bush III) regarding security funding for non-public K-12 schools that participate in state scholarship programs. The $1 million appropriation will help bolster what schools are already doing to protect children by hardening the physical security of their campuses. Potential improvements include the installation of bulletproof glass, perimeter fencing, gates and locks, visitor screening, and security cameras. HB 2565 passed the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously.

Lisa Brooks, the director of the Saint Rita Pre-School Program in Santa Rosa Beach (located in the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee) came to Tallahassee on September 17, 2019 to participate in an early learning panel.  This discussion was part of the Florida House of Representatives’ Education Committee meeting that was held during the first committee week of the 2020 Legislative Session.  Ms. Brooks was one of three preschool directors who joined three early learning coalition officials on the panel.  They were asked to discuss ways of identifying and rewarding quality providers in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Education and School Readiness programs. 

SB 7070 (Education Committee) would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a new state-funded program for students from lower-income families to attend eligible non-public schools that meet their educational needs. The measure would also reduce the current 12,974 student waitlist for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.

The St. John Paul II Catholic High School boys' basketball team was recognized in the Florida Senate and House galleries by Senator Bill Montford and Rep. Loranne Ausley. The Panthers captured their first ever Class 3-A State Championship on March 5. St. John Paul II is located in Tallahassee and was founded in 2001. Coach Titus Nixon is an alumnus of the school who played on the basketball team during his time as a student. Go Panthers!

SB 7070 (Education Committee) would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a new state-funded program for students from lower-income families to attend eligible non-public schools that meet their educational needs. The measure also increases educational opportunities for lower-income families who would otherwise be eligible to participate in the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program by helping to reduce the current waitlist of 12,974 students. The bill goes next to the full Senate.

It's profoundly important to protect all of Florida's schoolchildren - including those educated in public as well as nonpublic schools. Tragedies have devastated school communities from Newtown, CT to our own Parkland, FL.

HB 189 (Zika) and SB 1342 (Stargel) would make college more affordable for Florida families by restoring access to dual enrollment courses at state colleges and universities for high school students. Certain courses would be made available without requiring payment by the family or the student's school. FCCB supports these bills that ensure equity for students at private schools and their families. Public and home-school students currently do not have to pay for dual enrollment courses at nearby colleges.

James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, attended a meeting of the Federal Assistance Advisory Commission (FAAC) of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC. The Commission meets twice per year to discuss federal educational programs as well as parental empowerment in education. FAAC members met with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on the importance of restoring Title II, Part A funds to meet the professional development needs of public and nonpublic school teachers, among other key issues. Meetings were also held with various members of Congress to discuss support for the "Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act" along with Title II-A services.

SB 7070 was passed by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education (5-3). The bill creates the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a new taxpayer-funded program for students from lower-income families to attend eligible non-public schools that meet their educational needs.The measure also increases educational opportunities for lower-income families who would otherwise be eligible to participate in the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program by helping to reduce a nearly 13,000-student waiting list.

The House Education Committee advanced a proposal that includes a new school-choice program. The bill will provide increased scholarship opportunities to lower-income families who would otherwise be eligible to participate in the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) program by alleviating a nearly 13,000-student waiting list for the longstanding program. The House bill goes further than a similar Senate proposal by also broadening eligibility for participation.

An omnibus bill, SB 7070, that includes a school-choice expansion measure was passed (5-3) by the Senate Education Committee. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program would create a new taxpayer-funded scholarship program for low-income students to attend private schools that meet their educational needs. As outlined in the governor's State of the State Address, the proposal would help to alleviate a nearly 13,000-student waiting list for the longstanding Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program. 

After passing the full House earlier this month, HB 7055 was taken up and amended by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, February 21. This major education bill addresses a broad range of education issues, including strengthening state oversight of scholarship programs, such as the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, offered committee members a practical perspective on proposed accountability measures.

SB 1064 (Baxley), a bill allowing students in private school to participate in a dual enrollment program available to public school students, passed the Senate Education Committee (8-2) on January 29. High school students in the program can enroll in college courses and receive higher education credits at no cost to the student or the private school the student attends. FCCB staff expressed support for the measure during the committee hearing.

On December 6, the House Pre-K-12 Innovation Subcommittee convened a special five-member panel of school choice leaders to discuss the current levels of oversight plus academic outcomes achieved by nonpublic school students participating in state scholarship programs. James Herzog, FCCB associate director for education, spoke about the main reasons parents choose Catholic schools along with the importance of accreditation and teacher certification.