Governor Scott Signs Florida Chamber Education Bill Into Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231 or 850-251-6261
eousley@flchamber.com
Education Accountability Law
Champions Fewer and Better Tests
TALLAHASSEE, FL. (April 14, 2015) – A Florida Chamber-backed education accountability bill reducing the number of education assessments was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott today.
“This legislation reduces the number of tests our students take, including the 11th grade English Language Arts test that we eliminated this year through an Executive Order in February,” said Governor Rick Scott in a press release. “I agree with many teachers and parents who say we have too many tests, and while this legislation is a great step forward, we will keep working to make sure Florida students are not over tested.
HB 7069, championed by Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) in the Senate and Representative Marlene O’Toole (R-The Villages) in the House, called for reducing the number of required state and local education assessments for Florida’s students.
Education is an economic competitiveness imperative for Florida and this country. Championing educational reforms for a globally competitive workforce is a Florida Chamber priority. While there are transition bumps to work out, the Florida Chamber believes that, as a state, we must not step back from higher standards and accountability. Fewer and better tests will help ensure Florida’s assessment and accountability system continues to succeed.
“This is good news for Florida’s students,” said Brittney Burch, Education Policy Director of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We had many champions in the legislature on this issue, including Senators John Legg and Don Gaetz and Representatives Marlene O’Toole, Manny Diaz and Erik Fresen. Florida wins when we invest in policies that help make our students more competitive and today, we saw the fruits of that effort.”
“We need fewer and better tests,” explained Senator John Legg in a recent Florida Chamber Bottom Line episode. “We’ve gone overboard… the bureaucrats have interpreted the statutes to the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law.
The Florida Chamber thanks the many legislators that put Florida’s students before special interests.
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The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.
Florida Chamber-Backed Education Accountability Bill Passes Florida Legislature
A Florida Chamber-backed education accountability bill reducing the number of education assessments passed out of the Florida Legislature today and is heading to Governor Rick Scott to be signed into law.
HB 7069, championed by Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) in the Senate and Representative Marlene O’Toole (R-The Villages) in the House, calls for reducing the number of required state and local education assessments for Florida’s students.
Education is an economic competitiveness imperative for Florida and this country. Championing educational reforms for a globally competitive workforce is a Florida Chamber priority. While there are transition bumps to work out, the Florida Chamber believes that, as a state, we must not step back from higher standards and accountability. Fewer and better tests will help ensure Florida’s assessment and accountability system continues to succeed.
“This is good news for Florida’s students,” said Brittney Burch, Education Policy Director of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We had many champions in the legislature on this issue, including Senators John Legg and Don Gaetz and Representatives Marlene O’Toole, Manny Diaz and Erik Fresen. Florida wins when we invest in policies that help make our students more competitive and today, we saw the fruits of that effort.”
The Florida Chamber thanks the many legislators that put Florida’s students before special interests. The bill will now go to the Governor, where he has the option to sign it into law.
Watch It Now:
“We need fewer and better tests,” explained Senator John Legg in a recent Florida Chamber Bottom Line episode. “We’ve gone overboard… the bureaucrats have interpreted the statutes to the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law.” Click here to watch Senator Legg’s Bottom Line episode now.
Sen. Legg & Rep. O’Toole Champion Fewer and Better Tests
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Edie Ousley, 850-521-1231 or 850-251-6261
eousley@flchamber.com
Florida Chamber-Backed Education
Accountability Bill Passes Florida Legislature
TALLAHASSEE, FL. (April 9, 2015) – A Florida Chamber-backed education accountability bill reducing the number of education assessments passed out of the Florida Legislature today and is heading to Governor Rick Scott to be signed into law.
HB 7069, championed by Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) in the Senate and Representative Marlene O’Toole (R-The Villages) in the House, calls for reducing the number of required state and local education assessments for Florida’s students.
Education is an economic competitiveness imperative for Florida and this country. Championing educational reforms for a globally competitive workforce is a Florida Chamber priority. While there are transition bumps to work out, the Florida Chamber believes that, as a state, we must not step back from higher standards and accountability. Fewer and better tests will help ensure Florida’s assessment and accountability system continues to succeed.
“This is good news for Florida’s students,” said Brittney Burch, Education Policy Director of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We had many champions in the legislature on this issue, including Senators John Legg and Don Gaetz and Representatives Marlene O’Toole, Manny Diaz and Erik Fresen. Florida wins when we invest in policies that help make our students more competitive and today, we saw the fruits of that effort.”
“We need fewer and better tests,” explained Senator John Legg in a recent Florida Chamber Bottom Line episode. “We’ve gone overboard… the bureaucrats have interpreted the statutes to the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law.
The Florida Chamber thanks the many legislators that put Florida’s students before special interests. The bill will now go to the Governor, where he has the option to sign it into law.
###
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations, aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.
Senator Legg Champions Quality Education
Please take a moment to thank Sen. John Legg (R-Lutz) for his efforts to enhance Florida’s K-12 assessment and accountability system.
A quality education is the best way to ensure students can compete in a global economy, and Sen. Legg’s education accountability legislation ensures fewer and better tests while also not retreating from education reforms.
Take Action Now
Click here to send Sen. Legg a “thank you” email.
Florida Chamber-Backed School Choice Bill Passes House
Today, the Florida House of Representatives passed a Florida Chamber-backed bill that would empower parents to choose the best learning environment for their students.
HB 7037, sponsored by Rep. Bob Cortes (R-Maitland), establishes a charter school institute to provide technical assistance to charter school applicants, increasing the likelihood that only high-quality charter schools earn approval to educate children. The bill also expands access to charter schools for students, as well as access to virtual K-12 education.
The Florida Chamber believes that a quality education, from early learning to lifelong learning, is Florida’s new economic development strategy and school choice is one way to meet Florida’s needs.
As Senator John Legg, Chairman of the Senate Pre K-12 Education Committee, said on a recent Florida Chamber Bottom Line,
“School choice is critical. There is no way that the traditional public school system,
a one size fits all model, will work.”
Get Involved:
- Join us as we co-host the Children’s Week Business Leaders Luncheon in Tallahassee on April 13, where conversations will focus on early learning
- Attend the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Annual Education Solutions Summit on June 9 in Tampa. Held in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education, discussions will range from early learning to workforce development
- Be a part of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning
Senator Legg Discusses Florida’s Education Initiatives, Assessments and School Choice
Senator John Legg, Chairman of the Senate Pre K-12 Education Committee, joins the Florida Chamber in the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s Bottom Line.
Listen to hear Senator Legg discuss Florida’s education initiatives, assessments and school choice.