Bill > H5103

This bill establishes the Florida Personal Learning Account Program, which allows parents of eligible students with disabilities to customize their child's education by using funds for a variety of instructional services. To be eligible, a student must be in kindergarten through 5th grade, have specific disabilities as defined by law, and be assigned to a certain support level. Parents must apply through a nonprofit scholarship-funding organization, obtain an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) developed with the school district, and agree to release the district from its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education. The program allows parents to use funds for approved providers of specialized instruction, private school tuition, tutoring, virtual education, curriculum, and therapies like speech or occupational therapy. Parents are responsible for maintaining a portfolio of their child's work and ensuring an annual educational evaluation is conducted by a certified teacher or licensed professional, with the school district reviewing the results. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Education (DOE) in maintaining a list of approved providers and investigating complaints, and the obligations of school districts in developing IEPs and reviewing student progress. Nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations will administer the accounts, verify expenditures, and undergo audits. The bill also amends existing law to include participation in the Florida Personal Learning Account Program as a valid form of regular school attendance and repeals a section related to statewide educational tests.