Bill > S1654

This bill makes several key changes to education in Florida: 1. It requires high schools to offer computer science courses that are sufficiently rigorous, and allows students to use these courses to satisfy two credits of sequential foreign language instruction. The Department of Education will identify the eligible computer science courses. 2. It expands the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to allow students to use the scholarship at eligible apprenticeship programs, in addition to degree, certificate, and applied technology programs. It also requires the Department of Education to provide more information to students about approved apprenticeship programs, high-demand jobs, and critical skill sets. 3. It increases the maximum Bright Futures award amounts for students enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours, and expands the types of programs that qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship, including industry certifications, technical certificates, and apprenticeship programs. 4. It allows students to use a combination of volunteer service hours and paid work hours to meet the program eligibility requirements for the Florida Academic Scholars, Florida Medallion Scholars, Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars, and Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars awards.

Budget and Finance

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1654