summary
Introduced
01/29/2024
01/29/2024
In Committee
02/16/2024
02/16/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/08/2024
03/08/2024
Introduced Session
2024 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to education; amending s. 445.009, F.S.; revising the services for which the one-stop delivery system is intended to provide access to; amending s. 1003.21, F.S.; requiring a student's certified school counselor or other school personnel to inform the student of opportunities in specified programs; amending s. 1003.435, F.S.; requiring district school boards to notify all candidates for the high school equivalency diploma of adult secondary and postsecondary education options, including specified eligibility requirements; creating s. 1004.933, F.S.; providing definitions; establishing the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program for a specified purpose; requiring institutions to waive payments for specified student fees; providing eligibility requirements; providing that students participating in the program are eligible for a specified stipend under certain circumstances; prohibiting an institution from imposing additional eligibility requirements; providing Department of Education responsibilities; providing department reporting requirements; requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules; creating s. 1009.711, F.S.; creating the GATE Scholarship Program; requiring the department to administer the program; requiring the program to reimburse eligible institutions for specified student fees and costs; requiring participating institutions to report specified information to the department; requiring the department to reimburse participating institutions within a specified timeframe; providing that reimbursements are contingent upon legislative appropriation and must be prorated under certain circumstances; requiring the state board to adopt rules; amending s. 1011.80, F.S.; revising the number of courses for which certain students may be reported for certain funding purposes; providing that such courses do not have to be core curricula courses; deleting a requirement for the department to develop a list of courses to be designated as core curricula courses; creating s. 1011.804, F.S.; establishing the GATE Startup Grant Program within the department for a specified purpose; providing eligibility requirements; providing department duties; providing requirements for grant proposals, grant awards, and the use of grant funds; providing reporting requirements; authorizing the state board to adopt rules; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program within the Florida Department of Education. The key provisions of the bill include:
1. Expanding the services provided by the one-stop delivery system to include the GATE Program, which provides an alternative education pathway for students aged 16-21 who have discontinued enrollment in traditional high school programs.
2. Requiring school counselors and personnel to inform students of the GATE Program and other educational options, such as adult education and high school equivalency exam preparation.
3. Creating the GATE Program to assist students in completing high school requirements, increase the number of students earning high school credentials, and increase enrollment in career education programs.
4. Waiving 100% of registration, tuition, laboratory, and examination fees for eligible GATE Program students, and providing instructional materials free of charge.
5. Establishing the GATE Scholarship Program to reimburse participating institutions for eligible student costs.
6. Creating the GATE Startup Grant Program to fund the creation of new GATE Programs, particularly in rural areas.
The bill aims to provide additional educational opportunities and support for students who may struggle in traditional high school settings.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (3)
Education & Employment Committee (House), Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee (House), Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Laid on Table (on 03/05/2024)
Official Document
bill text
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