Bill > S1418

This bill modifies provisions related to supplemental academic instruction in Florida schools, primarily by removing a specific fiscal year requirement for certain school districts to use funds for intensive reading instruction, and clarifies how the 300 lowest-performing elementary schools are identified, stating that for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, this designation will be based on the 2015-2016 state reading assessment. It also mandates that categorical funds for supplemental academic instruction, which are intended to support students in kindergarten through 12th grade, will be provided within the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), a primary funding mechanism for public schools, and will include additional funds for districts with schools identified among the lowest-performing, to help them offer intensive reading instruction. The bill also adjusts language regarding the use of these funds for various supplemental strategies, such as modified curricula, tutoring, and extended school years, and clarifies that exceptional student education centers are not to be included in the list of the 300 lowest-performing schools.