SB 166 — Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools

Subsections (5) and (6) are added to section Page1001.23, 8Florida ofStatutes, 106to CODING:read:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 1001.23, Florida Statutes, to read:

120.565, the superintendents may receive a declaratory statement, within 90 days after submittingPage a8 petition to receive such statement, regarding the department’s opinion as to the applicability of a107 statutoryCODING: or rule provision to a school district as it applies to the district’s particular set of circumstances.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 submitting a petition to receive such statement, regarding the department’s opinion as to the applicability of a statutory or rule provision to a school district as it applies to the district’s particular set of circumstances.

(l) Internal auditor.—May or, in the case of a school district receiving annual federal, state, and local funds in Pageexcess 9 of 106$500 CODING:million, shall employ an internal auditor.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 excess of $500 million, shall employ an internal auditor.

a.Page 9 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 a.

Page1002.20 10K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of 106public CODING:school students must receive accurate and timely information regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed of ways they can help their child to succeed in school.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public school students must receive accurate and timely information regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed of ways they can help their child to succeed in school.

FISCAL TRANSPARENCY.—Parents of public school students havePage the10 rightof to107 anCODING: easy-to-read report card about the school’s grade designation or, if applicable under s.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 have the right to an easy-to-read report card about the school’s grade designation or, if applicable under s.

In determining Pagethe 11capacity of 106each CODING:district school, the district school board shall incorporate the specifications, plans, elements, and commitments contained in the school district educational facilities plan and the long-term work programs required under s.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 the capacity of each district school, the district school board shall incorporate the specifications, plans, elements, and commitments contained in the school district educational facilities plan and the long-term work programs required under s.

Each virtual charter school and each school district with a contract with an approved virtual instruction program provider shall determine capacityPage based11 uponof the107 enrollmentCODING: requirements established under s.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 capacity based upon the enrollment requirements established under s.

1002.394 The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.— (7) SCHOOL DISTRICT OBLIGATIONS.— Page(b)1. 12 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 (b)1.

The school district shall notify a parent who has made a request for an IEP that the district is required to complete the IEP and matrix of services within 60 30 days after receiving notice of the parent’s request.Page 12 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 request.

A school district may change a matrix of services only if the change is a result of an IEP reevaluation or to correct a Pagetechnical, 13typographical, ofor 106calculation CODING:error.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 technical, typographical, or calculation error.

1.Page 13 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 1.

Section 1012.335, relating to contracts with instructional personnel hired on or after July 1, 2011, for annual or instructional multiyear contracts for instructional Pagepersonnel. 14 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 personnel.

1002.61 Summer prekindergarten program delivered by public schoolsPage and14 privateof prekindergarten107 providers.—CODING: (10)(a) Each early learning coalition shall verify that each private prekindergarten provider and public school delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s county or multicounty region complies with this part.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 schools and private prekindergarten providers.— (10)(a) Each early learning coalition shall verify that each private prekindergarten provider and public school delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program within the coalition’s county or multicounty region complies with this part.

Paragraph (b) of subsection (6) and subsection Page(7) 15 of 106section CODING:1002.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 (7) of section 1002.71, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

2.Page 15 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 2.

Page3. 16 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 3.

The department shall adopt procedures for early learning coalitions and school districts to review the original signedPage forms16 againstof the107 certifiedCODING: student attendance.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 signed forms against the certified student attendance.

In addition, actions must shall be taken to reduce paperwork, eliminate the Pageduplication 17 of 106reports, CODING:and eliminate other duplicative activities.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 duplication of reports, and eliminate other duplicative activities.

SectionPage 13.17 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 Section 13.

The Pageresponsibility 18includes recommending policies and procedures to the district school board that require public schools to respond in a timely manner to every unexcused absence, and every absence for which the reason is unknown, of 106students CODING:enrolled in the schools.

District school board policies shall require the parent of a student to justify each absence of the student, and that justification will be evaluated based on adopted district school board policies that define excused and unexcused absences.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1policies responsibilitymust includesprovide recommendingthat policiespublic andschools procedurestrack toexcused theand districtunexcused schoolabsences boardand thatcontact requirethe publichome schoolsin tothe respondcase inof aan timelyunexcused mannerabsence tofrom everyschool, unexcusedor absence,an andabsence everyfrom absenceschool for which the reason is unknown, ofto studentsprevent enrolledthe indevelopment theof schools.patterns of nonattendance.

District school board policies shall require the parent of a student to justify each absence of the student, and that justification will be evaluated based on adopted district school board policies that define excused and unexcused absences.

The policies must provide that public schools track excused and unexcused absences and contact the home in the case of an unexcused absence from school, or an absence from school for which the reason is unknown, to prevent the development of patterns of nonattendance.

The principal shall, unless there is clear evidence that the absences are not a pattern of nonattendance, refer the case to the school’s child Pagestudy 19team to determine if early patterns of 106truancy CODING:are developing.

If the child study team finds that a pattern of nonattendance is developing, whether the absences are excused or not, a meeting with the parent must be scheduled to identify potential remedies, and the principal must shall notify the district school superintendent and the school district contact for home education programs that the referred student is exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1Section study15. team to determine if early patterns of truancy are developing.

If the child study team finds that a pattern of nonattendance is developing, whether the absences are excused or not, a meeting with the parent must be scheduled to identify potential remedies, and the principal must shall notify the district school superintendent and the school district contact for home education programs that the referred student is exhibiting a pattern of nonattendance.

Section 15.

A student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment, or earn a comparative score, in order to earn a Pagestandard 20high ofschool 106diploma. CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 standard high school diploma.

Substitution may occur for up to two mathematics credits, except for Algebra I and Geometry.Page 20 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 Geometry.

1002.3105(5), but fails to pass the Pageassessments 21required ofunder 106s. CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 assessments required under s.

(6)Page UNIFORM21 TRANSFER OF HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS.—Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, if a student transfers to a Florida public high school from out of country,107 outCODING: of state, a private school, a personalized education program, or a home education program and the student’s transcript shows a credit in Algebra I, the student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma unless the student earned a comparative score, passed a statewide assessment in Algebra I administered by the transferring entity, or passed the statewide mathematics assessment the transferring entity uses to satisfy the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 20 U.S.C.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 (6) UNIFORM TRANSFER OF HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS.—Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, if a student transfers to a Florida public high school from out of country, out of state, a private school, a personalized education program, or a home education program and the student’s transcript shows a credit in Algebra I, the student must pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma unless the student earned a comparative score, passed a statewide assessment in Algebra I administered by the transferring entity, or passed the statewide mathematics assessment the transferring entity uses to satisfy the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), 20 U.S.C.

If a transfer student’s transcript shows a final course grade and course credit in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I, or United States History, or the equivalent of a grade 10 ELA course, the transferring course final grade Pageand 22credit must shall be honored without the student taking the requisite statewide, standardized EOC assessment and without the assessment results constituting 30 percent of 106the CODING:student’s final course grade.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 and credit must shall be honored without the student taking the requisite statewide, standardized EOC assessment and without the assessment results constituting 30 percent of the student’s final course grade.

1003.433 Learning opportunities for out-of-state and out- of-country transfer students and students needing additional instructionPage to22 meet high school graduation requirements.— (1) Students who enter a Florida public school at the 11th or 12th grade from out of state107 orCODING: out of country may shall not be required to spend additional time in a Florida public school in order to meet the high school course requirements if the student has met all requirements of the school district, state, or country from which he or she is transferring.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 instruction to meet high school graduation requirements.— (1) Students who enter a Florida public school at the 11th or 12th grade from out of state or out of country may shall not be required to spend additional time in a Florida public school in order to meet the high school course requirements if the student has met all requirements of the school district, state, or country from which he or she is transferring.

(b) Upon receipt of a certificate of completion, be allowed to take the College Placement Test and be admitted to Pagedevelopmental 23education ofor 106credit CODING:courses at a Florida College System institution, as appropriate.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 developmental education or credit courses at a Florida College System institution, as appropriate.

1008.22 anPage unlimited23 number of times107 inCODING: order to receive a standard high school diploma.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 an unlimited number of times in order to receive a standard high school diploma.

Page1006.1494 24Student online personal information protection.— (6) This section does not do any of 106the CODING:following:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 1006.1494 Student online personal information protection.— (6) This section does not do any of the following:

Subsection (2) of section 1006.40, Florida Statutes,Page is24 amendedof to107 read:CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 Statutes, is amended to read:

Such purchase must be made within the first 5 3 years after the effective date of the adoption cycle,cycle subject to state board requirement for an earlier purchase date for a specific subject area, unless a district school board or a consortium of school districts has implemented an instructional materials program pursuant to s.

extraordinary exemption.— (2) A student with a disability for whom the individual education plan (IEP) team determines is prevented by a circumstance or condition from physically demonstrating the mastery of skills that have been acquired and are measured by Pagethe 25statewide ofstandardized 106assessment, CODING:a statewide standardized end-of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment pursuant to s.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 the statewide standardized assessment, a statewide standardized end-of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment pursuant to s.

The first two administrations of the coordinated screening and progressPage monitoring25 systemof under107 s.CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 progress monitoring system under s.

(3) The IEP team, which must include the parent, may submit to the district school superintendent a written request for an extraordinary exemption fromat theany end-of-yeartime orduring end-of-coursethe statewide,school standardizedyear, assessmentsubject atto anydeadlines timeestablished duringby the district school year,superintendent but not later than 60 days before the current year’s assessment administration for which the request is made.

(d) A written description of the condition’s effect on the Pagestudent’s 26participation ofin 106the CODING:statewide standardized assessment, an end-of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 student’s participation in the statewide standardized assessment, an end-of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment.

(g) Written evidence as to whether the student has had the opportunity to be assessed using the instructional accommodations on the student’s IEP which are allowable in the administrationPage 26 of the107 statewideCODING: standardized assessment, an end- of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment in prior assessments.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 administration of the statewide standardized assessment, an end- of-course assessment, or an alternate assessment in prior assessments.

The assessment and reporting schedules must provide the earliest possible reporting of student assessment results to the school Pagedistricts. 27 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 districts.

(b)Page By27 January of each107 year,CODING: the commissioner shall publish on the department’s website a uniform calendar that includes the assessment and reporting schedules for, at a minimum, the next 2 school years.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 (b) By January of each year, the commissioner shall publish on the department’s website a uniform calendar that includes the assessment and reporting schedules for, at a minimum, the next 2 school years.

The date that the assessment results are expected to be Pageavailable 28to ofteachers 106and CODING:parents.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 available to teachers and parents.

(c)(d) Each school district shall, by November 1 of each year, establish schedules for the administration of any statewide, standardized assessments and district-required assessments and approve the schedules as an agenda item at a districtPage school28 boardof meeting.107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 district school board meeting.

Paragraph (b)(c) of subsection (7)(5) and paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (9) of section 1008.25, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

reporting requirements.— Page(5) 29READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.— (c) To be promoted to grade 4, a student must score a Level 2 or higher in English Language Arts for grade 3 on any administration of 106the CODING:coordinated screening and progress monitoring system, which includes on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts assessment required under s.

1008.22 for grade 3.

If a student’s reading deficiency is not remedied by the end of grade 3, as demonstrated by scoring Level 2 or higher on the mid-year or final administration of the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system, which includes the Page 29 of 107 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1statewide, (7)standardized ELIMINATIONassessment OFrequired SOCIALunder PROMOTION.—s. (b) The district school board may only exempt students from mandatory retention, as provided in paragraph (5)(c), for good cause.

A1008.22 studentfor promoted to grade 43, with a good cause exemption shall be provided intensive reading instruction and intervention that include specialized diagnostic information and specific reading strategies to meet the needs of each student somust promoted.be retained.

The school district shall assist schools and teachers with the implementation of explicit, systematic, and multisensory reading instruction and intervention strategies for students promoted with a good cause exemption which research has shown to be successful in improving reading among students who have reading difficulties.

Upon the request of the parent, the teacher or school administrator shall meet to discuss the student’s progress.

The parent may request more frequent notification of the student’s progress, more frequent interventions or supports, and earlier implementation of the additional interventions or supports described in the initial notification.

Good cause exemptions are limited to the following:

1.

Limited English proficient students who have had less than 2 years of instruction in an English for Speakers of Other Languages program based on the initial date of entry into a school in the United States.

2.

Students with disabilities whose individual education plan indicates that participation in the statewide assessment program is not appropriate, consistent with the requirements of s.

1008.212.

3.

Students who demonstrate an acceptable level of Page 30 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 performance on an alternative standardized reading or English Language Arts assessment approved by the State Board of Education.

4.

Students who demonstrate through a student portfolio that they are performing at least at Level 2 on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts assessment.

5.

Students with disabilities who take the statewide, standardized English Language Arts assessment and who have an individual education plan or a Section 504 plan that reflects that the student has received intensive instruction in reading or English Language Arts for more than 2 years but still demonstrates a deficiency and was previously retained in prekindergarten, kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3.

6.

Students who have received intensive reading intervention for 2 or more years but still demonstrate a deficiency in reading and who were previously retained in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 for a total of 2 years.

A student may not be retained more than once in grade 3.

7.

Students who have scored a level 2 or higher on both the initial and midyear administrations of the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system.

For students in the school-year Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 2, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system must be Pageadministered 31at least three times within a school year, with the first administration occurring no later than the first 30 instructional days after a student’s enrollment or the start of 106the CODING:school year, the second administration occurring midyear, and the third administration occurring within the last 30 days of the school year pursuant to state board rule.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 administered at least three times within a school year, with the first administration occurring no later than the first 30 instructional days after a student’s enrollment or the start of the school year, the second administration occurring midyear, and the third administration occurring within the last 30 days of the school year pursuant to state board rule.

For grades 3 through 10 English Language Arts and grades 3Page through30 8 Mathematics, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system must be administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the107 schoolCODING: year pursuant to state board rule.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 3 through 8 Mathematics, the coordinated screening and progress monitoring system must be administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year pursuant to state board rule.

(c) To facilitate timely interventions and supports pursuant to subsection (4), the system must provide results from the first two administrations of the progress monitoring to a Pagestudent’s 32teacher or prekindergarten instructor within 1 week and to the student’s parent within 2 weeks after the administration of 106the CODING:progress monitoring.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 student’s teacher or prekindergarten instructor within 1 week and to the student’s parent within 2 weeks after the administration of the progress monitoring.

In addition to the information under subparagraph (a)5., the report must also include parent resources that explain the purpose of progress monitoring, assist the parent in interpreting progress monitoring results, and support informed parentPage involvement.31 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 parent involvement.

Page4. 33 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 4.

leadershipPage quality32 improvement;of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 leadership quality improvement;

A school may not be required to use the Pagemeasure 34 of 106student CODING:learning growth in s.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 measure of student learning growth in s.

Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (2) of sectionPage 1010.20,33 Floridaof Statutes,107 toCODING: read:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 section 1010.20, Florida Statutes, to read:

Page(a) 35A plain language version of 106each CODING:proposed, tentative, and official budget which describes each budget item in terms that are easily understandable to the public and includes:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 (a) A plain language version of each proposed, tentative, and official budget which describes each budget item in terms that are easily understandable to the public and includes:

The rate of change in the general fund’s ending fund balancePage not34 classifiedof as107 restricted.CODING:

(b) A link to the web-based fiscal transparency tool developed by the department pursuant to s.

1010.20 to enable taxpayers to evaluate the financial efficiency of the school district and compare the financial efficiency of the school district with other similarly situated school districts.

This information must be prominently posted on the school district’s website in a manner that is readily accessible to the public.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1balance (4)not Theclassified websiteas shouldrestricted. contain links to:

(b) A link to the web-based fiscal transparency tool developed by the department pursuant to s.

1010.20 to enable taxpayers to evaluate the financial efficiency of the school district and compare the financial efficiency of the school district with other similarly situated school districts.

994 This information must be prominently posted on the school district’s website in a manner that is readily accessible to the public.

(4) The website should contain links to:

(1)Page PURPOSES.—The35 purposes for which such obligations may be incurred within the intent of this107 sectionCODING: shall include only the purchase of school buses, land, and equipment for educational purposes;

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 (1) PURPOSES.—The purposes for which such obligations may be incurred within the intent of this section shall include only the purchase of school buses, land, and equipment for educational purposes;

Page1011.60 37Minimum requirements of 106the CODING:Florida Education Finance Program.—Each district which participates in the state appropriations for the Florida Education Finance Program shall provide evidence of its effort to maintain an adequate school program throughout the district and shall meet at least the following requirements:

(2) MINIMUM TERM.—Operate all schools for a term of 180 actual teaching days or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules of the State Board of Education each school year.

The State Board of Education may prescribe procedures for altering, and, upon written application, may alter, this requirement during a national, state, or local emergency as it may apply to an individual school or schools in any district or districts if the district school board certifies to the Commissioner of Education that if, in the opinion of the board, it is not necessary feasible to make up lost days or hours, and the apportionment may, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Education and if the board determines that the reduction of school days or hours is caused by the existence of a bona fide Page 36 of 107 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1emergency, 1011.60be Minimumreduced requirementsfor ofsuch the Florida Education Finance Program.—Each district whichor participatesdistricts in theproportion stateto appropriations for the Floridadecrease Educationin Financethe Programlength shall provide evidence of itsterm effortin toany maintainsuch an adequate school programor throughoutschools. the district and shall meet at least the following requirements:

(2) MINIMUM TERM.—Operate all schools for a term of 180 actual teaching days or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules of the State Board of Education each school year.

The State Board of Education may prescribe procedures for altering, and, upon written application, may alter, this requirement during a national, state, or local emergency as it may apply to an individual school or schools in any district or districts if the district school board certifies to the Commissioner of Education that if, in the opinion of the board, it is not necessary feasible to make up lost days or hours, and the apportionment may, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Education and if the board determines that the reduction of school days or hours is caused by the existence of a bona fide emergency, be reduced for such district or districts in proportion to the decrease in the length of term in any such school or schools.

1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each district for operation of schools is not determined in the Pageannual 38appropriations ofact 106or CODING:the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:

b.Page 37 of 107 CODING:

A value of 0.1 or 0.2 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for each student who completes a course as defined in s.

1003.493(1)(b) or courses with embedded CAPE industry certifications and who is issued an industry certification identified annually on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List approved under rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

A value of 0.2 full-time equivalent membership shall be calculated for each student who is issued a CAPE industry certification that has a statewide articulation agreement for college credit approved by the State Board of Page 39 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1b. Education.

A value of 0.1 or 0.2 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for each student who completes a course as defined in s.

1003.493(1)(b) or courses with embedded CAPE industry certifications and who is issued an industry certification identified annually on the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List approved under rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

A value of 0.2 full-time equivalent membership shall be calculated for each student who is issued a CAPE industry certification that has a statewide articulation agreement for college credit approved by the State Board of Education.

However, if a student earns a certification through a dual enrollment course and the certification is not a fundable certification on the postsecondary certification funding list, or the dual enrollment certification is earned as a result of an agreement between a school district and a nonpublic postsecondaryPage institution,38 theof bonus107 valueCODING: shall be funded in the same manner as other nondual enrollment course industry certifications.

In such cases, the school district may provide for an agreement between the high school and the technical center, or the school district and the postsecondary institution may enter into an agreement for equitable distribution of the bonus funds.

c.

A value of 0.3 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for student completion of at least three courses and an industry certification in a single career and Page 40 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1postsecondary technicalinstitution, educationthe programbonus orvalue programshall ofbe study.funded in the same manner as other nondual enrollment course industry certifications.

In such cases, the school district may provide for an agreement between the high school and the technical center, or the school district and the postsecondary institution may enter into an agreement for equitable distribution of the bonus funds.

c.

A value of 0.3 full-time equivalent student membership shall be calculated for student completion of at least three courses and an industry certification in a single career and technical education program or program of study.

For CAPE industry certifications earned in the 2013-2014 school year and in subsequent years, the school district shall distribute to each classroom teacher who provided direct instructionPage toward39 the attainment of a107 CAPECODING: industry certification that qualified for additional full-time equivalent membership under subparagraph 1.:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 instruction toward the attainment of a CAPE industry certification that qualified for additional full-time equivalent membership under subparagraph 1.:

A bonus of $50 for each student taught by a teacher who provided instruction in a course that led to the attainment of a CAPE industry certification on the CAPE Industry Certification PageFunding 41List ofwith 106a CODING:weight of 0.2.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 Funding List with a weight of 0.2.

Any bonus awarded to a teacher pursuant to this paragraph is in addition to any regular wage or other bonus the teacher received or is scheduled to receive.Page 40 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 receive.

1011.6202 Principal Autonomy Program Initiative.—The Principal Autonomy Program Initiative is created within the PageDepartment 42 of 106Education. CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 Department of Education.

2.Page 41 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 2.

Page7. 43 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 7.

1011.69(2) and 1012.28(8).Page 42 of 107 CODING:

Section 29.

Subsection (4) of section 1011.69, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (5) is added to that section, to read:

1011.69 Equity in School-Level Funding Act.— (4) After providing Title I, Part A, Basic funds to schools above the 75 percent poverty threshold, which may include high schools above the 50 percent threshold as permitted by federal law, school districts shall provide any remaining Title I, Part A, Basic funds directly to all eligible schools as provided in Page 44 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e11012.28(8). this subsection.

Section 29.

Subsection (4) of section 1011.69, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (5) is added to that section, to read:

1011.69 Equity in School-Level Funding Act.— (4) After providing Title I, Part A, Basic funds to schools above the 75 percent poverty threshold, which may include high schools above the 50 percent threshold as permitted by federal law, school districts shall provide any remaining Title I, Part A, Basic funds directly to all eligible schools as provided in this subsection.

d.Page 43 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 d.

Page1012.34(7) 45or ofa 106state-approved CODING:Alternative Student Growth Model is unavailable;

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 1012.34(7) or a state-approved Alternative Student Growth Model is unavailable;

AnPage eligible44 schoolof may107 useCODING: funds under this subsection to participate in discretionary educational services provided by the school district.

Any funds provided by an eligible school to participate in discretionary educational services provided by the school district are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.

(c) Any funds carried forward by the school district are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.

(5) The Department of Education shall make funds from Title I, Title II, and Title III programs available to local education Page 46 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1An agencieseligible forschool themay fulluse periodfunds ofunder availabilitythis providedsubsection to participate in federaldiscretionary law.educational services provided by the school district.

Any funds provided by an eligible school to participate in discretionary educational services provided by the school district are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.

(c) Any funds carried forward by the school district are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.

(5) The Department of Education shall make funds from Title I, Title II, and Title III programs available to local education agencies for the full period of availability provided in federal law.

1003.02(1)(f)Page or45 s.of 107 CODING:

1013.15(2), not exceeding, in the aggregate, an amount equal to three-fourths of the proceeds from the millage levied by a district school board pursuant to this subsection.

The three-fourths limit is waived for lease-purchase agreements entered into before June 30, 2009, by a district school board pursuant to this paragraph.

If payments under lease-purchase agreements in the aggregate, including lease- purchase agreements entered into before June 30, 2009, exceed three-fourths of the proceeds from the millage levied pursuant to this subsection, the district school board may not withhold Page 47 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e11003.02(1)(f) theor administrative fees authorized by s.

1013.15(2), not exceeding, in the aggregate, an amount equal to three-fourths of the proceeds from the millage levied by a district school board pursuant to this subsection.

The three-fourths limit is waived for lease-purchase agreements entered into before June 30, 2009, by a district school board pursuant to this paragraph.

If payments under lease-purchase agreements in the aggregate, including lease- purchase agreements entered into before June 30, 2009, exceed three-fourths of the proceeds from the millage levied pursuant to this subsection, the district school board may not withhold the administrative fees authorized by s.

(c) Compensation and salary schedules.— 1.Page 46 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 1.

1012.01(2)(a)-(d), excluding substitute Pageteachers. 48 of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 teachers.

b.Page 47 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 b.

For the purposes of the salary schedule, an advanced degree may include a master’s degree or higher in the area of certification or teaching assignment, or an advanced degree in another field Pagewith 49a minimum of 10618 CODING:graduate semester hours related to the area of certification or teaching assignment.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours related to the area of certification or teaching assignment.

In determining the grandfathered salary schedule for instructional personnel, a district school board must base a portionPage 48 of each107 employee’sCODING: compensation upon performance demonstrated under s.

1012.34 and shall provide differentiated pay for both instructional personnel and school administrators based upon district-determined factors, including, but not limited to, additional responsibilities, school demographics, critical shortage areas, and level of job performance difficulties.

5.

Performance salary schedule.—By July 1, 2014, the district school board shall adopt a performance salary schedule that provides annual salary adjustments for instructional Page 50 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1portion personnelof andeach schoolemployee’s administratorscompensation based upon performance determineddemonstrated under s.

1012.34 and shall provide differentiated pay for both instructional personnel and school administrators based upon district-determined factors, including, but not limited to, additional responsibilities, school demographics, critical shortage areas, and level of job performance difficulties.

5.

Performance salary schedule.—By July 1, 2014, the district school board shall adopt a performance salary schedule that provides annual salary adjustments for instructional personnel and school administrators based upon performance determined under s.

b.Page 49 of 107 CODING:

Salary adjustments.—Salary adjustments for highly effective or effective performance shall be established as follows:

(I) The annual salary adjustment under the performance salary schedule for an employee rated as highly effective must be at least 25 percent greater than the highest annual salary adjustment available to an employee of the same classification through any other salary schedule adopted by the district.

(II) The annual salary adjustment under the performance salary schedule for an employee rated as effective must be equal Page 51 of 106 CODING:

CSFlorida forSenate SB- 1662025 FirstCS Engrossed 2025166e1 to at least 50 percent and no more than 75 percent of the annual adjustment provided for aSB highly166 effective594-02943-25 employee2025166c1 ofb. the same classification.

Salary adjustments.—Salary adjustments for highly effective or effective performance shall be established as follows:

(I) The annual salary adjustment under the performance salary schedule for an employee rated as highly effective must be at least 25 percent greater than the highest annual salary adjustment available to an employee of the same classification through any other salary schedule adopted by the district.

(II) The annual salary adjustment under the performance salary schedule for an employee rated as effective must be equal to at least 50 percent and no more than 75 percent of the annual adjustment provided for a highly effective employee of the same classification.

However, the district school board may identify other areas of criticalPage shortage50 within the school district for purposes of this107 sub-sub-subparagraphCODING: and may remove areas identified by the state board which do not apply within the school district.

(IV) Assignment of additional academic responsibilities.

If budget constraints in any given year limit a district school board’s ability to fully fund all adopted salary schedules, the performance salary schedule may shall not be reduced on the basis of total cost or the value of individual awards in a manner that is proportionally greater than reductions to any Page 52 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1critical othershortage salarywithin schedulesthe adoptedschool district for purposes of this sub-sub-subparagraph and may remove areas identified by the state board which do not apply within the school district.

(IV) Assignment of additional academic responsibilities.

If budget constraints in any given year limit a district school board’s ability to fully fund all adopted salary schedules, the performance salary schedule may shall not be reduced on the basis of total cost or the value of individual awards in a manner that is proportionally greater than reductions to any other salary schedules adopted by the district.

6.Page 51 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 6.

Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection Page(1) 53of section 1012.335, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, a new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to subsection (2) of 106that CODING:section, and subsections (3) and (4) of that section are amended, to read:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 (1) of section 1012.335, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, a new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, paragraphs (d),(e), and (f) are added to subsection (2) of that section, and subsections (3) and (4) of that section are amended, to read:

2.Page 52 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 2.

PageSuch 54evaluation rating must be included with the evaluation ratings under subsequent annual contracts for determinations of 106just CODING:cause under s.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 Such evaluation rating must be included with the evaluation ratings under subsequent annual contracts for determinations of just cause under s.

(f) The award of an instructional multiyear contract does not remove the authority of the district school superintendent to reassign a teacher during the term of the contract.

If the employee wishes to contest the charges, he or she must, within 15 days after receipt of the writtenPage notice,53 submitof a107 writtenCODING: request for a hearing to the district school board.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 written notice, submit a written request for a hearing to the district school board.

A majority vote of the membership of the district school board shall be required to sustain the district school Pagesuperintendent’s 55recommendation. of 106 CODING:

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 superintendent’s recommendation.

447.209, andPage are54 notof subject107 toCODING: collective bargaining.

The district school superintendent shall provide instructional personnel the opportunity to review their class rosters for accuracy and to correct any mistakes.

The district school superintendent shall report accurate class rosters for the purpose of calculating district and statewide student performance and annually report the evaluation results of instructional personnel and school Page 56 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1and administratorsare tonot thesubject Department of Education in addition to thecollective informationbargaining. required under subsection (5).

The district school superintendent shall provide instructional personnel the opportunity to review their class rosters for accuracy and to correct any mistakes.

The district school superintendent shall report accurate class rosters for the purpose of calculating district and statewide student performance and annually report the evaluation results of instructional personnel and school administrators to the Department of Education in addition to the information required under subsection (5).

Evaluation procedures and criteria must comply with, but are not limitedPage to,55 theof following:107 CODING:

(a) A performance evaluation must be conducted for each employee at least once a year, except that a classroom teacher, as defined in s.

1012.01(2)(a), excluding substitute teachers, who is newly hired by the district school board must be observed and evaluated at least twice in the first year of teaching in the school district.

The performance evaluation must be based Page 57 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1limited uponto, soundthe educationalfollowing: principles and contemporary research in effective educational practices.

(a) A performance evaluation must be conducted for each employee at least once a year, except that a classroom teacher, as defined in s.

1012.01(2)(a), excluding substitute teachers, who is newly hired by the district school board must be observed and evaluated at least twice in the first year of teaching in the school district.

The performance evaluation must be based upon sound educational principles and contemporary research in effective educational practices.

For instructional personnel who are not classroom teachers, evaluation criteria must be based upon indicators of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices andPage may56 includeof specific107 jobCODING: expectations related to student support.

This section does not preclude a school administrator from visiting and observing classroom teachers throughout the school year for purposes of providing mentorship, training, instructional feedback, or professional learning.

3.

Instructional leadership.—For school administrators, at least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based on Page 58 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1and instructionalmay leadership.include specific job expectations related to student support.

This section does not preclude a school administrator from visiting and observing classroom teachers throughout the school year for purposes of providing mentorship, training, instructional feedback, or professional learning.

3.

Instructional leadership.—For school administrators, at least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based on instructional leadership.

Other indicators of performance.—For instructional personnel and school administrators, the remainder of a performance evaluation may include, but is not limited to, professional and job responsibilities as recommended by the State Board of Education or identified by the district school board and, for instructional personnel, peer reviews, objectively reliable survey information from students and parents based on teaching practices that are consistently associated with higher student achievement, and other valid and reliablePage measures57 of instructional107 practice.CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 reliable measures of instructional practice.

Page1012.39 59Employment of 106substitute CODING:teachers, teachers of adult education, nondegreed teachers of career education, and career specialists;

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 1012.39 Employment of substitute teachers, teachers of adult education, nondegreed teachers of career education, and career specialists;

b.Page 58 of 107 CODING:

Completion of a minimum level, established by the district school board, 3 years of full-time successful occupational experience or the equivalent of part-time experience in the teaching specialization area.

The district school board may establish alternative qualifications for teachers with an industry certification in the career area in which they teach.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1b. c.

Completion of a minimum level, established by the district school board, 3 years of full-time successful occupational experience or the equivalent of part-time experience in the teaching specialization area.

The district school board may establish alternative qualifications for teachers with an industry certification in the career area in which they teach.

c.

4.Page 59 of 107 CODING:

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 4.

1003.03(5)(b) and fulfilling the on-the-job training component of the registered Pageapprenticeship 61and ofits 106associated CODING:standards.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 apprenticeship and its associated standards.

(b)Page Documentation60 of a107 validCODING: professional standard teaching certificate issued by another state;

(c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education;

(d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time Page 62 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1(b) orDocumentation part-timeof teaching in a Floridavalid Collegeprofessional Systemstandard institution,teaching statecertificate university,issued or private college or university that awards an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution or an institution of higher education identified by theanother Departmentstate; of Education as having a quality program;

(c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education;

(d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution, state university, or private college or university that awards an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution or an institution of higher education identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program;

A school district that employs an individual who does not achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge examinationPage must61 provide information regarding the availability of state-level107 andCODING: district-level supports and instruction to assist him or her in achieving a passing score.

Such information must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test information guides, school district test preparation resources, and preparation courses offered by state universities and Florida College System institutions.

The requirement of mastery Page 63 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1examination ofmust generalprovide knowledgeinformation shallregarding bethe waivedavailability forof anstate-level individualand whodistrict-level has been provided 3 years of supports and instruction andto whoassist hashim beenor ratedher effectivein orachieving highlya effectivepassing underscore. s.

Such information must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test information guides, school district test preparation resources, and preparation courses offered by state universities and Florida College System institutions.

The requirement of mastery of general knowledge shall be waived for an individual who has been provided 3 years of supports and instruction and who has been rated effective or highly effective under s.

1012.34, based in part on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International CertificatePage 62 of Education,107 orCODING: International Baccalaureate examination.

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Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 594-02943-25 2025166c1 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate examination.

Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)- (h) and completes a professional learning certification program approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(c) or an Pageeducator 64preparation ofinstitute 106approved CODING:by the department pursuant to s.

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CS for SB 166 First Engrossed 2025166e1 educator preparation institute approved by the department pursuant to s.

completes the subject area content requirements specified in state board rule orPage demonstrates63 mastery of subject107 areaCODING: knowledge pursuant to subsection (5);

and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher;

or Page 65 of 106 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 166 First594-02943-25 Engrossed2025166c1 2025166e1or 3.demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5);