Bill > S1522

This bill clarifies that home education programs are not considered school district programs and outlines how they will be reported and funded through the Florida Education Finance Program, which is the state's primary funding mechanism for public schools. It ensures that students in home education programs have access to certain courses and programs offered by school districts, including career and technical education, industry certifications, and statewide assessments, with districts required to notify these students about available opportunities. The bill also establishes an annual textbook reimbursement for home education students and limits the extent to which school districts can regulate or control these programs beyond the requirements of the law. Additionally, it modifies eligibility criteria for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award, a scholarship program, to include students who have attended a home education program during their 11th and 12th grades.