By Alexa Glista, Feature Editor
Photo courtesy of unsplash.com
Senate Bill 244, which is a part of Governor Ron DeSantis’s ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’ package filed by Senator Alexis Calatayud,[1] was advanced by the Florida Senate Education PreK-12 Committee on March 6, 2023.[2] The Bill was unanimously passed and will be moving to the Appropriations Committee on Education.[3] The proposed legislation seeks to establish additional bonuses and certification programs for educators and to strengthen rules dictating how teachers can manage discipline and academics in their classrooms.[4]
“We’ve worked really hard since I’ve been governor to put an emphasis on education, really across the board,” DeSantis said.[5]
The overall goal is to promote recruitment and retention of educators in the state as vacancies in teaching positions have risen 21 percent compared to the previous year and more than 200 percent since 2018, according to the Florida Education Association (FEA).[6] According to a review of each Florida school district’s websites, as of January 2023, there are 5,294 teacher vacancies and 4,631 support staff openings.[7]
“The tools provided in this bill provide for a pipeline into teaching that is needed to make sure our school districts and children have the quality education they deserve,” said Calatayud. “It creates a set of incentives for new educators and current educators through a three-pronged approach.”[8]
The first prong of SB 244 aims to initiate a Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship Program, which would assist current high school teachers in earning a master’s degree that would allow them to teach dual enrollment courses on a high school campus.[9] The scholarship program would fully cover the costs of tuition and fees, so long as the participant completes their graduate degree program within three years of receiving the award[10] and agrees to instruct a dual enrollment course at a high school for three years.[11]
The second prong establishes a teacher apprenticeship program that would allow individuals who have an associate degree to lead a classroom under the supervision of a mentor teacher for two years as they work toward satisfying credential standards to teach on their own.[12] Eligible participants must earn a 3.0 grade point average and pass a background check.[13] Mentor educators are also eligible for a pay bonus.[14]
The third prong of the bill proposes the Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program, which would provide retired first responders and veterans with a sign-on recruitment bonus, so long as they teach in an area that the state determines has a critical shortage of educators.[15] They must also commit to being an educator for a district or charter school for a minimum of at least two years.[16] Applicants for this program must provide documentation indicating that they have not received disciplinary action, including suspensions, dismissals, and involuntary demotions, in the past five years of their service or employment.[17]
These provisions that sponsor programs and incentives to bring more educators have been widely supported.[18] Former educator and associate director of the Professional Educators Network of Florida, Keith Calloway, stated “That mentor that I had — who was amazing — really got me through those years. Got me over that ‘hump’ of the first two years of just not knowing where I was and what I was doing.”[19]
In addition to these opportunities to gain new educators, the Bill also adds protections for teaching staff, students, and parents’ rights.[20] However, SB 244 has not entirely escaped criticism.
“I’ll tell you my negative before I tell you my positive. I’m not sure what else we’re capturing when we say violation of a student, parent or teacher’s rights in such a broad sense,” said Senator Tracie Davis.[21]
These provisions particularly aim to support retention of the educators that are already employed. One way in which the bill seeks to accomplish this is through the addition of new rules regarding the discipline of Florida educators.[22] The Bill states, “A teacher, except in cases of excessive force or cruel and unusual punishment, may not be held civilly or criminally liable for actions carried out in conformity with State Board of Education rules.”[23] It’s also states, “a teacher shall have access to liability coverage, subject to the General Appropriations Act, through the educator liability insurance program.”[24]
Similarly, the bill also seeks to protect not only teachers, but “all students and public K-20 educational institution employees” from discrimination.[25] The bill states that according to applicable Florida law, if these individuals face discrimination, they “may bring an action for equitable relief, attorney fees, and court costs as determined by the court.”[26]
Under SB 244 teachers are also given the “right to control the classroom.”[27] This refers to the discipline of students in their classrooms and their ability to create rules for appropriate conduct of their classrooms.[28] This includes the ability for students to be “removed from the classroom for behavior management intervention.”[29] School rules will be enforced not only on school property, but also in school-sponsored transportation and events.[30]
As of March 21, 2023, the bill has gotten through two of three committees with unanimous votes.[31] The bill is on its way to the final committee before reaching the Senate floor.[32] The Florida House of Representatives has also filed a similar bill, HB 1035, which may result in the bills being, “folded into the other — and some changes as the legislative process continues.”[33] However, it is likely that with the overwhelming support, as well as that from the governor, it is likely that some of these propositions will make it to his desk.[34]
[1] Caden DeLisa, Six bills clear Senate education committee, THE CAPITOLIST (Mar. 6, 2023) https://thecapitolist.com/six-bills-clear-senate-education-committee/
[2] Jeffery S. Solochek, ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’ sails through Florida Senate committee, TAMPA BAY TIMES (Mar. 6, 2023) https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/03/06/desantis-education-unions-salaries-vacancies/
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Forrest Saunders, Legislation offering ‘teacher’s bill of rights’ keeps advancing toward Gov. Ron DeSantis, WPTV (Mar. 21, 2023)https://www.wptv.com/news/education/legislation-offering-teachers-bill-of-rights-keeps-advancing-toward-gov-ron-desantis
[6] Caden DeLisa, Supra.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Sam Sachs, Florida senator introduces legislation for ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’, WFLA (Feb. 24, 2023) https://www.wfla.com/news/education/florida-senator-introduces-legislation-for-teachers-bill-of-rights/
[11] Caden DeLisa, Supra.
[12] Id.
[13] Sam Sachs, Supra.
[14] Caden DeLisa, Supra.
[15] Id.
[16] Sam Sachs, Supra.
[17] Id.
[18] Forrest Saunders, Legislation offering ‘teacher’s bill of rights’ keeps advancing toward Gov. Ron DeSantis, WPTV (Mar. 21, 2023)https://www.wptv.com/news/education/legislation-offering-teachers-bill-of-rights-keeps-advancing-toward-gov-ron-desantis
[19] Id.
[20] Id.
[21] Id.
[22] Sam Sachs, Florida senator introduces legislation for ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’, WFLA (Feb. 24, 2023) https://www.wfla.com/news/education/florida-senator-introduces-legislation-for-teachers-bill-of-rights/
[23] Id.
[24] Id.
[25] Id.
[26] Id.
[27] Id.
[28] Sam Sachs, Florida senator introduces legislation for ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’, WFLA (Feb. 24, 2023) https://www.wfla.com/news/education/florida-senator-introduces-legislation-for-teachers-bill-of-rights/
[29] Id.
[30] Id.
[31] Forrest Saunders, Legislation offering ‘teacher’s bill of rights’ keeps advancing toward Gov. Ron DeSantis, WPTV (Mar. 21, 2023)https://www.wptv.com/news/education/legislation-offering-teachers-bill-of-rights-keeps-advancing-toward-gov-ron-desantis
[32] Id.
[33] Id.
[34] Id.
