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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.

The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined the USCCB Committee on Catholic Education and numerous other entities in support of #EdTaxCredit50, an advocacy campaign proposing the creation and adoption of a national education tax credit program. In such a program, donations made to certain non-profit scholarship organizations would generate federal tax credits for individuals and corporations. This charitable activity would increase K-12 options for low and middle-income families, including the ability to send their children to faith-based and independent schools.

On Monday, June 26, 2017, Governor Rick Scott signed into law HB 15 by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora. The measure establishes a higher per-child scholarship amount for middle and high school students in the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program. It also expands eligibility for the Gardiner Scholarship Program for children with special needs to include students with visual or hearing impairment and other children who qualify for individualized education programs.

The executive board and other representatives of the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) met with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on June 7, 2017. Mary Camp, FCC associate director for accreditation and president of NCPSA, led the discussion. NCPSA is the voice for quality assurance, school improvement, and accreditation in private schools. The Council sought the secretary's support and offered it's assistance, as we continue to promote parental choice in education.

On Wednesday, the Florida House unanimously passed legislation that would strengthen two existing school choice programs. HB 15 by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R-Mount Dora) increases the per-student scholarship amount for high school students from low-income families served by the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.

On Monday, James Herzog, associate director for education, testified in support of SB 1314 (Grimsley) as the proposal passed its first committee of reference. The bill increases the per-student scholarship amount for high school students from low-income families served under the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.

On Tuesday, two mothers of Catholic school students spoke before the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee during public comments regarding HB 15 by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R-Eustis). The measure would allow higher per-child scholarships to students from low-income families seeking to attend nonpublic high schools in the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program.

HB 15 by Representative Jennifer Sullivan (R-Eustis) passed (12-3) its first committee of reference on Tuesday, March 7. The bill contains several provisions that increase access to school choice, including:

Today a week has passed since President Trump made his historic first visit to any school, public or nonpublic, independent or faith based, while in office. On behalf of our system of 240 Catholic schools in Florida, it was a true honor and a privilege to have him choose St. Andrew Catholic School in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Orlando for his March 3rd tour and school choice roundtable.