Securing the Future Success of Florida’s Students


Governor Scott knows that Florida’s future is in the hands of students in our classrooms today. In fact, it is a quality public education that allowed Governor Scott and his wife, Ann, to live their dreams. The Governor is absolutely committed to continuing investments in Florida’s teachers and students at every grade level so they have every resource and tool needed to ensure success. That is why, for the 6th straight year, Governor Scott is recommending historic funding for education. The Securing Florida’s Future budget invests historic amounts of funding in voluntary pre-kindergarten, K-12, state colleges and universities to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in the Sunshine State.

Historic Areas of Funding Funding Amount
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten - State Funding $408.4 million
K-12 Public Schools – Total Funding $21.41 billion
K-12 Public Schools – State Funding $11.91 billion
K-12 Public Schools – Per-Student Funding $7,497
Florida College System – State Operating Funding $1.24 billion
State University System – Total Operating Funding $4.26 billion
State University System – State Operating Funding $2.46 billion

Florida’s teachers and students have made outstanding achievements over the last year as evidenced by the following rankings:

K-12 Public Schools

Florida is 1st in the nation in Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation for the 2016 graduating class, 3rd in the nation for improvement over the last decade, and 4th in the nation for their performance. Florida’s graduation rates are at a 13-year high – increasing 21.5 percentage points since 2003-04. Florida ranks 11th in the nation for K-12 achievement according to the Quality Counts report. According to The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): Florida’s 4th grade students outperform the nation in both reading and math. Florida’s 4th grade Hispanic students led the nation in reading. Florida’s 4th grade Hispanic students’ average mathematics score ranked second among the 50 states. In 4th grade reading and mathematics, Florida’s students with disabilities average score ranked second among the 50 states. Florida’s economically disadvantaged students led the nation in 4th grade reading. Florida’s 8th grade students led the nation in closing the achievement gap between African American and white students from 2003- 15 in reading.

Florida College System

U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida first in the country for Higher Education. WalletHub ranked the Division of Florida Colleges as the 4th best community college system in the country. Broward College and Indian River State College were named as finalists for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Fourteen Florida Colleges were named to the Top 150 list of U.S. Community Colleges and are eligible to compete for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Miami Dade College awarded more associate degrees to minority and Hispanic students than any other college in the nation according to Community College Week 2016 Top 100. Florida is the number one producer of certificates and associate degrees in the Southeast Region. According to Community College Week 2016 Top 100: Fourteen Florida College System institutions ranked in the top 100 colleges nationwide for the total number of associate degrees awarded. Eleven Florida College System institutions placed in the top 100 colleges nationwide for the number of associate degrees awarded to minority students. Eleven Florida College System institutions are among the top 100 colleges in the nation for the number of associate degrees awarded to African American students. Eight Florida College System institutions ranked in the top 100 colleges nationwide for the number of associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students.

State University System

The State University System of Florida produces more degrees in business and health professions at both the bachelor’s and graduate levels than any other discipline. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degree production increased more than non-STEM degree production during the past four years for both baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees. Florida’s preeminent universities are leading the way, each vaulting five slots from last year: U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Florida as 9th among all public national universities. U.S. News & World Report ranked Florida State University as 33rd among all public national universities.

Early Learning – Budget Recommendation Totaling $1.1 Billion

As a father and a grandfather, Governor Scott understands how critical early learning is to the success of a child’s education. The Securing Florida’s Future budget invests in initiatives that are focused on results, ensure early learning providers are effective and increase access for more children. Governor Scott recommends $1.1 billion in funding for early child education. This is a more than $31 million increase over current year funding.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

The Securing Florida’s Future budget recommends an additional $11.6 million for a record total of more than $408 million for Florida’s VPK program, a quality free education initiative, which serves more than 158,000 four and five-year olds. VPK prepares each child for kindergarten by building a strong foundation for school and focusing on early literacy skills.

School Readiness

The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes an increase of $7 million in federal funding to allow access to more than 1,200 additional children into School Readiness programs. Since Governor Scott took office, the School Readiness program has received more than $48 million in additional federal funding and served more than 8,600 additional children.

The Securing Florida’s Future budget provides funds in Fiscal Year 2018-19 for the following early learning initiatives: T.E.A.C.H. – $10 million for early childhood teacher scholarships; Performance Funding – $15.5 million to award child care providers and instructors for improving School Readiness program outcomes; Help Me Grow – $2.5 million to connect children and families with information, resources and developmental services to enhance health, behavior and learning in the development of young children; Lastinger Center Teacher Training – $3 million for a statewide professional learning system for Florida’s early learning workforce; and Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) – Nearly $4 million to deliver high quality School Readiness curriculum directly to parents so they may strengthen the cognitive and early literacy skills of at-risk children.

Performance Funding

Governor Scott is a steadfast proponent of performance funding at all levels of education to ensure students are getting the best results and are prepared for future careers. The Securing Florida’s Future budget maintains $15.5 million in performance funding for child care providers and instructors who demonstrate successes in school readiness, professional development and access to high-need populations.

Investing Record Funding in K-12 Public Education

Governor Scott works every day to make sure Florida’s students have access to a world-class education and knows that K-12 education is the critical foundation upon which a student grows and succeeds. To build upon five years of historic investments in K-12 education championed by Governor Scott, the Securing Florida’s Future budget makes significant investments in K-12 teachers and students. The budget also prioritizes initiatives that ensure all teachers have the tools they need, and ensures that students are college or career ready upon graduating from high school.

Historic Funding for the Florida Educational Finance Program (FEFP)

With increasing graduation rates and policies that rank among the best in the nation, the Securing Florida’s Future budget invests more than $21.4 billion in state and local funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools. This historic funding equates to $7,497 per student – an increase of $200 per Florida student – the highest total funding, state funding and per-student funding for K-12 in Florida’s history.

Governor Scott has made record investments in state funding for K-12 for the past five years and this historic high of $21.4 billion in total funding is an increase of nearly $770 million in state and local funds over Fiscal Year 2017-18.

The increase of nearly $770 million in total funds includes: More than $198 million to fund new student growth of more than 27,000; More than $5 million, for a total of more than $58 million, in funding for the Sparsity Supplement, which provides funding to assist rural districts with sparse student populations (24,000 or fewer students); $10 million, for a total of $74.5 million, in funding for school safety initiatives that promote a safe learning environment; Nearly $18 million, for a total of more than $63 million, in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program; and $538 million for various education initiatives included in the FEFP, such as transportation, reading allocation and instructional materials.

Since Governor Scott took office, state funding for Florida’s K-12 public schools has increased by $3.2 billion or 36.7 percent, from a total amount of $8.7 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to nearly $12 billion in the 2018-19 Securing Florida’s Future budget. During this same period, the local contribution to the FEFP has risen at a slower pace, increasing by $1.6 billion or 20.8 percent.

Supporting Florida’s Teachers

Governor Scott recognizes the positive impact great teachers have on today’s students and generations of students to come. As part of the state’s investment this year, Governor Scott proposes a total of more than $63 million in funding for the Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program. This proposal is an increase for the program of nearly $18 million, or $100 additional dollars per teacher. These annual grants are used by educators to purchase classroom supplies needed for the school year. Currently, Florida teachers receive $250 annually for classroom supplies. The Governor’s proposal will increase this funding to $350 annually.

Teacher of the Year Program

The Securing Florida’s Future budget recommends $770,000 for monetary awards to Florida’s highest performing teachers through the Teacher of the Year Program. Under Governor Scott’s recommendation, and combined with private funds from Macy’s, the award amounts will be a minimum of $10,000 for district participants, a minimum of $15,000 for finalists, and a minimum of $20,000 for the Teacher of the Year.

Protecting Florida’s Jewish Day Schools

Governor Scott believes every Florida student deserves to have the opportunity to learn in a safe and comfortable setting. After Florida’s Jewish community received hateful threats recently, Governor Scott saw the need to provide additional security so the children that attend Jewish Day Schools can learn in a safe environment. Last year, Governor Scott approved more than $650,000 for security at Jewish Day Schools. This year, Governor Scott is proposing $1 million in security funding for Jewish Day Schools – an increase of more than $345,000 over current year funding. This funding will be available to all Florida Jewish Day Schools to help provide security and counter-terrorism upgrades such as video cameras, fences, bullet-proof glass, alarm systems and other safety equipment.

Securing Florida’s Future Workforce Through Coding and Computer Science Programs

Governor Scott knows that growing Florida’s future workforce starts with ensuring successful science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs are promoted in Florida’s schools. The Securing Florida’s Future budget recommends $15 million for a brand-new program to expand opportunities for middle and high school students to learn coding and computer science. This funding will jumpstart a phased-in initiative requiring school districts to offer coding and computer science courses taught by teachers with coding credentials in at least ten percent of each district’s public middle and high school classrooms. The $15 million in funding will: Provide funds to train public school teachers, including teachers at charter schools; Provide a one-time $3,000 bonus to teachers who earn a state certification in Computer Science, or a one-time bonus of $1,500 to teachers who earn an applicable industry certification; and Provide the Department of Education the authority to award high-need school districts with technology grants to purchase hardware and software for coding or computer science courses.

Supporting Florida’s English Language Learners Students

Florida is an incredible melting pot with an English Language Learners (ELL) student population of more than 290,000 (approximately ten percent of the total Florida student population). Governor Scott is proud of Florida’s incredible diversity and is working to ensure ELL students have every resource they need to succeed. That’s why the Securing Florida’s Future budget includes $12 million in funding to establish the English Language Learners Summer Academics program for students in grades 4-8. The program emphasis will be on reading improvements and making sure students displaced by Hurricane Maria have access to summer academies.

Investing Historic Funding in Higher Education

Since taking office, Governor Scott has challenged Florida’s higher education institutions to become more affordable and prepare students for jobs. A few of his challenges include:

Challenge Challenge Criteria Result
Ready, Set, Work State College Challenge Challenged Florida’s 28 state colleges to graduate 100 percent of their full-time students to attend a four-year university or get a job that leads to a great career. All 28 state colleges accepted Governor Scott’s challenge and increased the three-year graduation rate from 49 percent to 54 percent based on the FCS Performance Funding Model calculation for completion.
Ready, Set, Work State University Challenge Challenged Florida’s 12 state universities to get 100 percent of their graduates (not going on to graduate school) full-time employment within a year for those receiving each university’s two most popular degrees. All 12 state universities accepted Governor Scott’s challenge and have implemented strategies such as increased advising and mentorship opportunities to place students with jobs.
Ready, Set, Work Technical College Challenge Challenged Florida’s 48 Technical Colleges and Centers to issue a guarantee to businesses that their workers are ready to work on the very first day on the job, or they will be retrained at no cost to the business or the student. All 48 Technical Colleges and Centers accepted the challenge and are working to meet community workforce needs.
Finish in Four, Save More Challenge Challenged Florida’s state colleges and universities to:
Remove all fees for online classes; Inform incoming freshmen of the amount of money they will save if they graduate in four years; Urge the Legislature to expand Bright Futures to cover summer classes; Ensure students get credit for college and AP courses taken during high school; and Make it easier for students to get class credit for internships in their fields.
All of Florida’s state colleges and universities accepted Governor Scott’s challenge and are examining ways their institutions can make college more affordable. Several state universities have created programs designed to keep students on track to graduate in four years.
$10,000 STEM Degree Challenge Governor Rick Scott challenged Florida’s 28 state colleges to offer a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field at a cost of $10,000. All 28 state colleges accepted the Governor’s challenge. Nearly all institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees now offer a $10,000 degree.

Governor Scott knows that ensuring Florida has a strong higher education system is the best way to make Florida a global destination for jobs and ensure highly educated and skilled workers are ready for a great job upon graduation. The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes historic funding for higher education including record state operating funding for Florida’s higher education system of more than $1.2 billion for Florida colleges, and more than $2.4 billion for Florida universities.

Performance Funding

Governor Scott has been a champion for performance-based incentives throughout his administration. The past five years have demonstrated the positive impact performance-based funding has had on Florida’s 12 state universities. Eighty-seven new advisors have been hired to focus on student retention and graduation, seven career service centers have been revamped to focus on student advising and establishing partnerships with local businesses, and 408 additional faculty have been hired in high-wage, high-need areas.

To ensure all of Florida’s higher education institutions are focused on the same goals, the Securing Florida’s Future budget includes the following performance funding at career technical centers, state colleges and state universities: Career Technical Centers Provides $6 million for students earning industry certifications in high-skill, high-demand areas at career technical centers. Florida College System A record $120 million in performance funding for the 28 state colleges in the fourth year of performance funding. The recommended budget also provides an increase of $4 million, for a total of $14 million, for students earning industry certifications in high-skill, high-demand areas at Florida colleges. State University System The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes a record $670.6 million, an increase of more than $150 million over current year funding in performance funding for state universities to continue the trend of getting students into great jobs with less debt.

Securing Affordable Higher Education for Florida’s Future

Governor Scott remains a strong advocate for affordable higher education. Skyrocketing tuition rates and mountains of student debt are unfair burdens that no student should experience. That is why there are NO tuition increases in the Securing Florida’s Future budget.

Governor Scott continues to fight for affordable higher education by holding the line on tuition. The Securing Florida’s Future budget recommends investing more than $23 million for Bright Futures scholarships and ensures the Bright Futures Academic Scholars award will continue to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for all semesters, including summer, for all eligible students.



Investing in Education Infrastructure

The Securing Florida’s Future budget builds upon Governor Scott’s work to ensure students and teachers have safe facilities that foster a creative learning environment. Governor Scott believes that it is critical to maintain existing buildings before constructing new facilities. Governor Scott also continues to be a champion for schools that have urgent construction needs but lack the ability to provide sufficient local resources to fund these needs due to a shortfall in local financial resources.

Maintenance

$50 million for public school maintenance; $50 million for charter school maintenance; $6.2 million for lab school maintenance; $3.4 million for Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind maintenance; $50 million for Florida College System maintenance; and $50 million for State University System maintenance.

Construction

Nearly $49 million for Special Facility Construction projects. This funding is for critical infrastructure needs in Taylor, Bradford, Gilchrist, Jackson and Liberty counties; Nearly $8 million for renovation and construction of A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High. Funds require a dollar for dollar match from Florida Atlantic University, the lab school’s affiliated state university; More than $34 million to complete Florida College System construction projects. Funding requires a dollar for dollar match and will be distributed first to institutions that have received a previous allocation and can complete the project in Fiscal Year 2018-19; More than $34 million to complete State University System construction projects. Funding requires a dollar for dollar match and will be distributed first to institutions that have received a previous allocation and can complete the project in Fiscal Year 2018-19; and $40 million in budget authority to the State University System to spend collected student fees on a list of student-approved facility projects.