Bill > S7046

This bill requires state research universities to enter into and maintain a formal agreement with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to offer college-sponsored merit scholarship awards as a condition of being designated as a preeminent state research university, and also makes the continuation of their online learning institutes contingent upon this agreement. Additionally, it allows low-performing elementary schools identified by the state to administer required additional hours of instruction in a summer program, and revises the types and amounts of bonuses that teachers can receive for student achievement in career-themed courses leading to industry certifications, with higher bonuses for certifications that translate to more college credit hours. The bill also establishes new provisions for performance-based funding for both the State University System and the Florida College System, outlining metrics for evaluating institutional performance, consequences for failing to meet benchmarks, and reporting requirements.