Bill > H0835

This bill modifies provisions related to home education programs, student nonattendance, dual enrollment, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award. For home education programs, it clarifies that enrollment is a ministerial act by the superintendent and cannot be terminated arbitrarily, and that these programs are not considered school district programs. It also expands access to testing and evaluation services, and allows school districts to offer exceptional student education services and career and technical courses to home education students who enroll in public school solely for those specific services or programs, with funding provided through the Florida Education Finance Program. The bill also establishes an annual reimbursement of up to $80 for instructional materials for home education students in dual enrollment courses, disbursed by a selected scholarship-funding organization, and clarifies that school districts cannot further regulate home education programs beyond the stated requirements unless necessary for participation in a district program. Regarding nonenrollment and nonattendance, criminal prosecution of parents will not be initiated until the school and district have followed specific procedures, and it clarifies the ability of private schools and home education parents to provide student information to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for driver's license suspension due to attendance issues. For dual enrollment, the bill refines eligibility and fee exemptions for students, including those in early admission and career early admission programs, and clarifies that limitations for home education students in dual enrollment cannot exceed those for other students, with specific provisions for grade point average requirements. It also introduces a new section for dual enrollment articulation agreements specifically for home education students and postsecondary institutions, and clarifies that payment provisions for dual enrollment do not apply to agreements with private schools or home education students. Finally, the bill adjusts eligibility for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award by requiring a minimum unweighted GPA for career courses and allowing home education students who attended for grades 11 and 12 to be eligible.