CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 1 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to education; amending s. 1002.42, 2
F.S.; conforming a cross -reference; amending s. 3
1003.4282, F.S.; revising a graduation requirement for 4
certain students; amending s. 1004.04, F.S.; revising 5
the core curricula for certain teacher preparati on 6
programs; amending s. 1004.85, F.S.; revising 7
terminology; deleting a requirement that certain 8
certification programs be previously approved by the 9
Department of Education; revising requirements for 10
certain competency-based programs, certain teacher 11
preparation field experience, and participants in 12
certain teacher preparation programs; requiring the 13
State Board of Education to adopt specified rules 14
relating to the continued approval of certain teacher 15
preparation programs rather than by a determination o f 16
the Commissioner of Education; amending s. 1005.04, 17
F.S.; requiring certain institutions to include 18
specified information relating to student fees and 19
costs in a disclosure to prospective students; 20
requiring institutions to provide information 21
affirmatively demonstrating compliance with fair 22
consumer practice requirements; creating s. 1005.11, 23
F.S.; requiring the Commission for Independent 24
Education to annually prepare an accountability report 25
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 2 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
by a specified date; providing requirements for such 26
report; requiring licensed institutions to annually 27
provide certain data to the commission by a specified 28
date; providing requirements for the determination of 29
a specified rate; requiring the commission to 30
establish a common set of data definitions; requiring 31
the commission to impose administrative fines for an 32
institution that fails to timely submit the data; 33
providing requirements for such fines; providing 34
authority for the commission to require certain data 35
reporting by certain institutions; authorizing the 36
commission to establish certain benchmarks by rule; 37
providing for the designation of certain licensed 38
institutions as high performing; amending s. 1005.22, 39
F.S.; revising the powers and duties of the 40
commission; amending s. 1005.31, F.S.; revising the 41
commission's evaluation standards for licensure of an 42
institution; authorizing the commission to prohibit 43
the enrollment of new students, or limit the number of 44
students in a program at, a licensed institution under 45
certain circumstances; authorizing the commission to 46
take specified actions relating to licensed 47
institutions; creating s. 1005.335, F.S.; requiring 48
all programs at licensed institutions to be 49
specifically licensed; authorizing the commission to 50
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 3 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
require institutional accreditation prior to licensure 51
of prelicensure professional nursing programs; 52
requiring certain institutions to obtain and maintain 53
accreditation within a specified time period; 54
requiring the commission to adopt rules; creating s. 55
1005.345, F.S.; authorizing the commission to require 56
certain institutions to provide an assurance of 57
institution's financial stability; providing 58
requirements for such assurances; requiring the 59
commission to adopt rules; amending s. 1007.27, F.S.; 60
revising the articulated acceleration mechanisms 61
available to certain students; requiring the state 62
board and Board of Governors to identify Florida 63
College System institutions and state universities to 64
develop certain courses and provide specified 65
training; requiring the department to take specified 66
actions relating to c ertain courses; authorizing the 67
department to partner with specified organizations to 68
develop certain assessments; providing for the award 69
of credit to certain students; requiring the 70
department to provide a report to the Legislature by a 71
specified date; providing requirements for such 72
report; amending s. 1007.271, F.S.; requiring dual 73
enrollment courses to be age and developmentally 74
appropriate; amending s. 1007.35, F.S.; revising the 75
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 4 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
responsibilities of the Florida Partnership for 76
Minority and Underrepres ented Student Achievement; 77
conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 78
amending s. 1008.22, F.S.; authorizing school 79
districts to select the Classic Learning Test for an 80
annual districtwide administration for certain 81
students; amending s. 1008.34, F. S.; revising the 82
calculation of school grades for certain schools; 83
amending s. 1009.531, F.S.; authorizing students to 84
earn a concordant score on the Classic Learning Test 85
to meet the initial eligibility requirements for the 86
Florida Bright Futures Scholars hip Program; amending 87
ss. 1009.534, 1009.535, and 1009.536, F.S.; 88
authorizing students to use a combination of volunteer 89
service hours and paid work hours to meet certain 90
program eligibility requirements; providing that paid 91
work hours completed on or afte r a specified date 92
shall be used to meet certain program eligibility 93
requirements; amending s. 1012.34, F.S.; providing 94
school administrators are not precluded from taking 95
specified actions; amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; revising 96
requirements for a person see king an educator 97
certification; revising criteria for the award of a 98
temporary certificate; revising the validity period 99
for certain temporary certificates; deleting 100
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 5 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
provisions relating to the department's ability to 101
extend the validity period of certain t emporary 102
certificates; revising the requirements for the 103
approval and administration of such programs; 104
establishing professional education competency 105
programs; requiring school districts to develop and 106
maintain such a program; authorizing private schools 107
and state-supported schools to develop and maintain 108
such a program; amending ss. 1012.57 and 1012.575, 109
F.S.; conforming cross -references; amending s. 110
1012.585, F.S.; requiring certain applicants for the 111
renewal of a professional certificate to earn 112
specified college credit or inservice points; 113
providing requirements for such credit or points; 114
amending s. 1012.586, F.S.; conforming a cross -115
reference; amending s. 1012.98, F.S.; defining the 116
term "professional learning"; prohibiting specified 117
meetings from being considered professional learning 118
and eligible for inservice points; providing and 119
revising requirements for certain professional 120
learning activities; revising department and school 121
district duties relating to such activities; providing 122
requirements for entities contracted with to provide 123
professional learning services and inservice education 124
for school districts; amending s. 1012.986, F.S.; 125
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 6 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
renaming the "William Cecil Golden Professional 126
Development Program for School Leaders" as the 127
"William Cecil Golden Professional Learning Program 128
for School Leaders"; revising the goal of the program; 129
providing a directive to the Division of Law Revision; 130
providing an effective date. 131
132
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 133
134
Section 1. Subsection (13) of section 1002.42, Florida 135
Statutes, is amended to read: 136
1002.42 Private schools. — 137
(13) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM.—An 138
organization of private schools that has no fewer than 10 member 139
schools in this state may develop a professi onal learning 140
development system to be filed with the Department of Education 141
in accordance with s. 1012.98(7) the provisions of s. 142
1012.98(6). 143
Section 2. Paragraph (e) of subsection (3) of section 144
1003.4282, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 145
1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school 146
diploma.— 147
(3) STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; COURSE AND ASSESSMENT 148
REQUIREMENTS.— 149
(e) One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and 150
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 7 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
debate, or, for students entering grade 9 in the 2023 -2024 151
school year, career education practical arts.—The practical arts 152
course must incorporate artistic content and techniques of 153
creativity, interpretation, and imagination . Eligible career 154
education practical arts courses are identified in the Course 155
Code Directory. 156
Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 157
1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 158
1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for 159
teacher preparation programs. — 160
(2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT. — 161
(b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each 162
state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are 163
not limited to, the following: 164
1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida 165
Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas. 166
2. The use of state -adopted content standards to guide 167
curricula and instruction. 168
3. Scientifically researched and evidence -based reading 169
instructional strategies that improve reading performance for 170
all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential 171
approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, 172
fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention 173
strategies. 174
4. Content literacy and mathematics practices. 175
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 8 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English 176
language learners. 177
6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students 178
with disabilities. 179
7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on 180
student needs. 181
8. Strategies and practices to support evidence -based 182
content aligned to state standar ds and grading practices. 183
9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of 184
a student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge 185
and the referral of such student to a mental health professional 186
for support. 187
10. Strategies to support th e use of technology in 188
education and distance learning. 189
11. Strategies and practices to support effective, 190
research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the 191
state's academic standards. 192
Section 4. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and subse ctions 193
(3), (4), and (5) of section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are 194
amended to read: 195
1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes. — 196
(2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or 197
approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek 198
approval from the Department of Education to create educator 199
preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all 200
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 9 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of the following: 201
1. Professional learning development instruction to assist 202
teachers in improving classroom instruction and in meeting 203
certification or recertification requirements. 204
2. Instruction to assist potential and existing substitute 205
teachers in performing their duties. 206
3. Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting 207
education and training requirements. 208
4. Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to become 209
certified teachers as provided in this section in order to 210
increase routes to the classroom for mid-career professionals 211
who hold a baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were 212
not education majors. 213
5. Instruction and professional learning development for 214
part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career programs 215
under s. 1012.39(1)(c). 216
(3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to 217
this section may offer competency -based certification programs 218
specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate 219
degree holders to enable program participants to meet the 220
educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator 221
preparation institute choosing to offer a competency -based 222
certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section 223
must implement a program previously approved by the Department 224
of Education for this purpose or a program developed by the 225
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 10 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
institute and approved by the department for this purpose. 226
Approved programs shall be available for use by other approved 227
educator preparation institutes. 228
(a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for 229
approval, the Department of Education shall approve a 230
preparation program pursuant to the requirements of this 231
subsection or issue a statement of the deficiencies in the 232
request for approval. The department shall approve a 233
certification program if the institute provides evidence of the 234
institute's capacity to implement a competency -based program 235
that instructs and assesses each candidate in includes each of 236
the following: 237
1.a. Participant instruction and assessment in The Florida 238
Educator Accomplished Practices approved by the state board 239
across content areas . 240
b. The state academic use of state-adopted student conte nt 241
standards provided under s. 1003.41, including scientifically 242
based reading instruction, content literacy, and mathematical 243
practices, for each subject identified on the statement of 244
status of eligibility or the temporary certificate to guide 245
curriculum and instruction. 246
c. Scientifically researched and evidence -based reading 247
instructional strategies that improve reading performance for 248
all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential 249
approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocab ulary, 250
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 11 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention 251
strategies. 252
d. Content literacy and mathematical practices. 253
e. Strategies appropriate for instruction of English 254
language learners. 255
f. Strategies appropriate for instruction of stud ents with 256
disabilities. 257
g. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on 258
student needs. 259
h. Strategies and practices to support evidence -based 260
content aligned to state standards and grading practices. 261
i. Strategies appropriate for the early identif ication of 262
a student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge 263
and the referral of such student to a mental health professional 264
for support. 265
j. Strategies to support the use of technology in 266
education and distance learning. 267
2. An educational plan for each participant to meet 268
certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to 269
teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking 270
certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her 271
competency in the areas listed in su bparagraph 1. 272
3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification 273
subject area specified in the educational plan with a diverse 274
population of students in a variety of challenging environments, 275
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 12 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
including, but not limited to, high -poverty schools, urban 276
schools, and rural schools, under the supervision of qualified 277
educators. The state board shall determine in rule the amount of 278
field experience necessary to serve as the teacher of record, 279
beginning with candidates entering a program in the 2023 -2024 280
school year. 281
4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and 282
procedures required for participants who complete the program to 283
meet any requirements related to the background screening 284
pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary 285
certification pursuant to s. 1012.56. 286
(b) Each program participant must: 287
1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s. 288
1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in 289
the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet 290
the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a) -(f). 291
2. Demonstrate competency and participate in coursework 292
and field experiences that are appropriate to his or her 293
educational plan prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with 294
candidates entering an educator preparation institute in the 295
2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a 296
coverage area identif ied pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must 297
successfully complete all competencies for a reading 298
endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum 299
through the candidate's field experience, in order to graduate 300
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 13 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
from the program. 301
3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his 302
or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is 303
seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on 304
student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12 305
setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving 306
a passing score on the professional education competency 307
examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area 308
examination for the subject area certification which is required 309
by state board rule. 310
(c) Upon completion of all requirements for a 311
certification program approved pursuant to this subsection, a 312
participant shall receive a credential from the sponsoring 313
institution signifying that the participant has completed a 314
state-approved competency-based certification program in the 315
certification subject area specified in the educational plan. A 316
participant is eligible for educator certification through the 317
Department of Education upon satisfaction of all requirements 318
for certification set forth in s. 1012.56(2). 319
(4) The state board shall adopt rules for the continued 320
approval of each program approved pursuant to this section . 321
shall be determined by the Commissioner of Education based upon 322
a periodic review of the following areas: 323
(a) Candidate readiness based on passage rates on educator 324
certification examinations under s. 1012.56, as applicable. 325
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 14 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Evidence of performance in each of the following 326
areas: 327
1. Performance of students in prekindergarten through 328
grade 12 who are assigned to in -field program completers on 329
statewide assessments using the results of the student learning 330
growth formula adopted under s. 1012.34. 331
2. Results of program completers' annual evaluations in 332
accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34. 333
3. Workforce contribution s, including placement of program 334
completers in instructional positions in Florida public and 335
private schools, with additional weight given to production of 336
program completers in statewide critical teacher shortage areas 337
as identified in s. 1012.07. 338
(5) Each institute approved pursuant to this section shall 339
submit to the Department of Education annual performance 340
evaluations that measure the effectiveness of the programs , 341
including the pass rates of participants on all examinations 342
required for teacher ce rtification, employment rates, 343
longitudinal retention rates, and satisfaction surveys of 344
employers and program completers. The satisfaction surveys must 345
be designed to measure the sufficient preparation of the 346
educator for the realities of the classroom an d the institute's 347
responsiveness to local school districts. These evaluations 348
shall be used by the Department of Education for purposes of 349
continued approval of an educator preparation institute's 350
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 15 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
certification program . 351
Section 5. Section 1005.04, Flor ida Statutes, is amended 352
to read: 353
1005.04 Fair consumer practices. — 354
(1) Every institution that is under the jurisdiction of 355
the commission or is exempt from the jurisdiction or purview of 356
the commission pursuant to s. 1005.06(1)(c) or (f) and that 357
either directly or indirectly solicits for enrollment any 358
student shall: 359
(a) Disclose to each prospective student a statement of 360
the purpose of such institution, its educational programs and 361
curricula, a description of its physical facilities, its status 362
regarding licensure, its fee schedule and policies regarding 363
retaining student fees if a student withdraws, and a statement 364
regarding the transferability of credits to and from other 365
institutions. The institution shall make the required 366
disclosures in writing at least 1 week prior to enrollment or 367
collection of any tuition from the prospective student. The 368
required disclosures may be made in the institution's current 369
catalog; 370
(b) Use a reliable method to assess, before accepting a 371
student into a program, the student's ability to complete 372
successfully the course of study for which he or she has 373
applied; 374
(c) Inform each student accurately about financial 375
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 16 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
assistance and obligations for repayment of loans; describe any 376
employment placement services provided and the limitations 377
thereof; and refrain from promising or implying guaranteed 378
placement, market availability, or salary amounts; 379
(d) Provide to prospective and enrolled students accurate 380
information regarding the relationship of its programs to state 381
licensure requirements for practicing related occupations and 382
professions in Florida; 383
(e) Ensure that all advertisements are accurate and not 384
misleading; 385
(f) Publish and follow an equitable prorated refund policy 386
for all students, and follow both the federal refund guidelines 387
for students receiving federal financial assistance and the 388
minimum refund guidelines set by commission rule; 389
(g) Follow the requirements of state and federal laws that 390
require annual reporting with respect to crime statistics and 391
physical plant safety and make those reports available to the 392
public; and 393
(h) Publish and follow procedures for handling student 394
complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals ; and 395
(i) Prior to enrollment, provide a written disclosure to a 396
student or prospective student of all fees and costs that will 397
be incurred by a student, the institution's refund policy, any 398
exit examination requirements, and the grade point average 399
required for completion of the student's program or degree. The 400
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 17 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
disclosure shall include a statement regarding the scope of 401
accreditation, if applicable. Institutions licensed by the 402
Commission for Independent Education shall disclose the 403
information required pursuant to this paragraph in a format 404
prescribed by the commission . 405
(2) In addition, institutions that are required to be 406
licensed by the commission shall disclose to prospective 407
students that additional information regarding the institution 408
may be obtained by contacting the Commission for Independent 409
Education, Department of Education , Tallahassee. 410
(3) The burden of demonstrating compliance with fair 411
consumer practice is upon the person, entity, or institution 412
asserting compliance. Determining compliance with this section 413
shall rest with the commission. The commission may require 414
further evidence and make such further investigation, in 415
addition to any information submitted, as may be reasonably 416
necessary in the commission's judgment. 417
Section 6. Section 1005.11, Florida Statutes, is created 418
to read: 419
1005.11 Accountability for institutions licensed by the 420
Commission for Independent Education. — 421
(1) By June 30, 2024, and by March 15 of each year 422
thereafter, the commission shall prepare an annual 423
accountability report for licensed institutions. The report must 424
contain, at a minimum, the graduation rates, including the 425
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 18 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
number of graduates by program; retention rates; and placement 426
rates for all licensed institutions. 427
(2) By March 1, 2024, and by November 30 of each year 428
thereafter, each licensed institution shall provide data to the 429
commission in a format prescribed by the commission. Placement 430
rates shall be determined using Florida Education and Training 431
Placement Information Program methodology. 432
(3) The commission shall establish a common set of data 433
definitions consistent wi th those used by this state for 434
institutional reporting purposes. 435
(4) The commission shall impose an administrative fine of 436
not more than $1,000 per incident when a licensed institution 437
fails to timely submit the required data to the commission 438
pursuant to this section. Administrative fines collected under 439
this subsection shall be deposited into the Student Protection 440
Fund. 441
(5) The commission shall have the authority to require 442
licensed institutions to provide institutional, graduate, and 443
student data through reasonable data collection efforts as 444
required or necessitated by statute or rule or for the operation 445
of other executive agencies, the Legislature, or the judiciary. 446
(6) The commission may establish, by rule, performance 447
benchmarks to identify hi gh-performing institutions licensed by 448
the commission. 449
Section 7. Paragraph (p) is added to subsection (1) of 450
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 19 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
section 1005.22, Florida Statutes, to read: 451
1005.22 Powers and duties of commission. — 452
(1) The commission shall: 453
(p) Have the power, wit hin its respective regulatory 454
jurisdiction, to examine and investigate the affairs of every 455
person, entity, or independent postsecondary institution in 456
order to determine whether the person, entity, or independent 457
postsecondary institution is operating in accordance with the 458
provisions of this chapter or has been or is engaged in any 459
unfair or deceptive act or practice prohibited by s. 1005.04. 460
Section 8. Subsections (9) through (15) of section 461
1005.31, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsection (8) 462
through (14), respectively, and subsections (2) and (8) of that 463
section are amended, to read: 464
1005.31 Licensure of institutions. — 465
(2) The commission shall develop minimum standards by 466
which to evaluate institutions for licensure. These standards 467
must include, at a minimum, at least the institution's name, 468
financial stability, purpose, administrative organization, 469
admissions and recruitment, educational programs and curricula, 470
retention and, completion, including a retention and completion 471
management plan, career placement, faculty, learning resources, 472
student personnel services, physical plant and facilities, 473
publications, and disclosure statements about the status of the 474
institution with respect to professional certification and 475
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 20 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
licensure. The commissi on may adopt rules to ensure that 476
institutions licensed under this section meet these standards in 477
ways that are appropriate to achieve the stated intent of this 478
chapter, including provisions for nontraditional or distance 479
education programs and delivery. 480
(a) The standard relating to admissions and recruitment 481
shall include, but is not limited to, requirements for 482
verification of high school graduation, high school equivalency, 483
or qualifying scores on an ability -to-benefit test. 484
(b) The commission may r equire a licensed institution to 485
submit a management plan, prohibit a licensed institution from 486
enrolling new students in the institution or a program of the 487
institution, or limit the number of students in a program at a 488
licensed institution, based upon th e institution's performance 489
on the licensure standards or criteria established pursuant to 490
this chapter; the placement of the institution or a program of 491
the institution on probation or the imposition of other adverse 492
actions by the commission, an accredit ing agency, or other 493
regulatory agency, including the United States Department of 494
Education; or similar circumstances that leave the institution 495
unable to meet the needs of students or prospective students. 496
(8) An institution may not conduct a program un less 497
specific authority is granted in its license. 498
Section 9. Section 1005.335, Florida Statutes, is created 499
to read: 500
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 21 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1005.335 Accreditation requirements and programmatic 501
licensure.— 502
(1) An institution may not conduct a program unless 503
specific authority is granted in its license. 504
(2) All programs offered by a licensed institution must be 505
recognized and licensed by the commission, including, but not 506
limited to, avocational programs or courses, examination 507
preparation programs or courses, contract t raining programs or 508
courses, continuing education, or professional development 509
programs or courses. The commission shall adopt rules to 510
implement this subsection. 511
(3) An institution must obtain institutional accreditation 512
prior to obtaining approval from the commission to offer a 513
prelicensure professional nursing program. 514
(4) Every independent postsecondary institution that is 515
under the jurisdiction of the commission and which offers 516
degree—granting programs at the associate level or above shall, 517
within 7 years after initial licensure, obtain and maintain 518
institutional accreditation, as accreditation is defined in this 519
chapter. Institutions failing to comply shall be subject to 520
disciplinary action by the commission, up to and including 521
revocation of institutional licensure and preclusion of the 522
principals from operation of the subject institution or other 523
institutions in this state. Currently licensed institutions 524
shall have 5 years from the effective date of this act to comply 525
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 22 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
with this institutional acc reditation requirement. 526
(5) The commission shall adopt rules to implement this 527
section. 528
Section 10. Section 1005.345, Florida Statutes, is created 529
to read: 530
1005.345 Assurance of financial stability. — 531
(1) The commission may require an institution applying for 532
initial licensure to provide an assurance of financial stability 533
as outlined in this section. The assurance of financial 534
stability shall remain in effect until the institution applies 535
for and receives a first annual licensure renewal and 536
demonstrates financial stability as determined by the 537
commission. 538
(2) The commission may require a surety bond, cash 539
deposited into an escrow account, or an irrevocable letter of 540
credit as an assurance of financial stability. The form and 541
content of the assur ance of financial stability shall be 542
approved by the commission and all payments made thereunder 543
shall be deposited into a separate account within the 544
Institutional Assessment Trust Fund. 545
(3) An assurance of financial stability shall be payable 546
to the commission in an amount sufficient to pay for or 547
subsidize the following costs as determined by the commission: 548
(a) The costs of providing instructors and facilities to 549
complete the training of students enrolled at a licensed 550
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 23 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
institution at the time the institution ceases to operate. This 551
includes, but is not limited to, the costs to the institution 552
associated with reimbursing the Student Protection Fund for 553
expenditures made pursuant to s. 1005.37(3). 554
(b) The costs of evaluating, storing, and maintaini ng 555
student records. 556
(4) The commission shall adopt rules to implement this 557
section. 558
Section 11. Subsections (1), (2), and (5) of section 559
1007.27, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (9) is 560
added to that section, to read: 561
1007.27 Articulated acceleration mechanisms. — 562
(1)(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that a variety 563
of articulated acceleration mechanisms be available for 564
secondary and postsecondary students attending public 565
educational institutions. It is intended that ar ticulated 566
acceleration serve to shorten the time necessary for a student 567
to complete the requirements associated with the conference of a 568
high school diploma and a postsecondary degree, broaden the 569
scope of curricular options available to students, or incr ease 570
the depth of study available for a particular subject. 571
Articulated acceleration mechanisms shall include, but are not 572
limited to, dual enrollment and early admission as provided for 573
in s. 1007.271, advanced placement, credit by examination, the 574
College Board Advanced Placement Program, the International 575
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 24 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Baccalaureate Program, and the Advanced International 576
Certificate of Education Program. Credit earned through the 577
Florida Virtual School shall provide additional opportunities 578
for early graduation and a cceleration. Students of Florida 579
public secondary schools enrolled pursuant to this subsection 580
shall be deemed authorized users of the state -funded electronic 581
library resources that are licensed for Florida College System 582
institutions and state universitie s by the Florida Postsecondary 583
Academic Library Network. Verification of eligibility shall be 584
in accordance with rules established by the State Board of 585
Education and regulations established by the Board of Governors 586
and processes implemented by Florida Co llege System institutions 587
and state universities. 588
(b) The State Board of Education and the Board of 589
Governors shall identify Florida College System institutions and 590
state universities to develop courses that align with s. 1007.25 591
for students in secondar y education and provide the training 592
required under s. 1007.35(6). 593
(2)(a) The Department of Education shall annually identify 594
and publish the minimum scores, maximum credit, and course or 595
courses for which credit is to be awarded for each course 596
developed under paragraph (1)(b), College Level Examination 597
Program (CLEP) subject examination, College Board Advanced 598
Placement Program examination, Advanced International 599
Certificate of Education examination, International 600
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 25 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Baccalaureate examination, Excelsior Co llege subject 601
examination, Defense Activity for Non -Traditional Education 602
Support (DANTES) subject standardized test, and Defense Language 603
Proficiency Test (DLPT). 604
(b) The department may partner with an independent third -605
party testing or assessment organ ization to develop assessments 606
that measure competencies consistent with the required course 607
competencies identified by the Articulation Coordinating 608
Committee for general education core courses under paragraph 609
(1)(b). Postsecondary credit shall be limited to students who 610
achieve a minimum score as established in this subsection. 611
(c) The department shall use student performance data in 612
subsequent postsecondary courses to determine the appropriate 613
examination scores and courses for which credit is to be 614
granted. Minimum scores may vary by subject area based on 615
available performance data. In addition, the department shall 616
identify such courses in the general education core curriculum 617
of each state university and Florida College System institution. 618
(5) Advanced courses include placement shall be the 619
enrollment of an eligible secondary student in a course offered 620
through the Advanced Placement Program administered by the 621
College Board or a course that prepares students for assessments 622
developed under paragrap h (2)(b). Postsecondary credit for an 623
advanced course or advanced placement course shall be limited to 624
students who score a minimum of 3, on a 5 -point scale, on the 625
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 26 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
corresponding Advanced Placement Examination or at least the 626
minimum score on an assessment identified in subsection (2) . The 627
specific courses for which students receive such credit shall be 628
identified in the statewide articulation agreement required by 629
s. 1007.23(1). Students of Florida public secondary schools 630
enrolled pursuant to this subsect ion shall be exempt from the 631
payment of any fees for administration of the examination 632
regardless of whether or not the student achieves a passing 633
score on the examination. 634
(9) The department, in consultation with the Board of 635
Governors, shall issue a re port to the Legislature by January 1, 636
2024, on the alignment between acceleration mechanisms available 637
to secondary students and student success at the postsecondary 638
level. At a minimum, the report must explain how: 639
(a) Acceleration mechanisms align to s econdary completion 640
and rates of success. 641
(b) Bonuses provided to classroom teachers for the 642
completion or passage of acceleration courses by students impact 643
school quality and performance. 644
(c) Acceleration mechanisms align to postsecondary 645
completion rates. 646
(d) Acceleration course offerings align with general 647
education core courses and reduce the amount of time needed for 648
students to complete a postsecondary degree. 649
(e) To improve acceptance of postsecondary credit earned 650
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 27 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
through acceleration cou rses through agreements with other 651
states. 652
Section 12. Subsection (14) of section 1007.271, Florida 653
Statutes, is amended to read: 654
1007.271 Dual enrollment programs. — 655
(14) The Department of Education shall approve any course 656
for inclusion in the dua l enrollment program that is age and 657
developmentally appropriate and contained within the statewide 658
course numbering system. However, developmental education and 659
physical education and other courses that focus on the physical 660
execution of a skill rather th an the intellectual attributes of 661
the activity, may not be so approved but must be evaluated 662
individually for potential inclusion in the dual enrollment 663
program. This subsection may not be construed to mean that an 664
independent postsecondary institution eli gible for inclusion in 665
a dual enrollment or early admission program pursuant to s. 666
1011.62 must participate in the statewide course numbering 667
system developed pursuant to s. 1007.24 to participate in a dual 668
enrollment program. 669
Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) and subsection 670
(6) of section 1007.35, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 671
1007.35 Florida Partnership for Minority and 672
Underrepresented Student Achievement. — 673
(5) Each public high school, including, but not limited 674
to, schools and alternative sites and centers of the Department 675
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 28 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
of Juvenile Justice, shall provide for the administration of the 676
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test 677
(PSAT/NMSQT), or the PreACT to all enrolled 10th grade students. 678
However, a written notice shall be provided to each parent which 679
must include the opportunity to exempt his or her child from 680
taking the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT. 681
(a) Test results will provide each high school with a 682
database of student assessment data which certified sc hool 683
counselors will use to identify students who are prepared or who 684
need additional work to be prepared to enroll and be successful 685
in AP courses or other advanced high school courses. 686
(6) The partnership shall: 687
(a) Provide teacher training and profe ssional development 688
to enable teachers of AP or other advanced courses to have the 689
necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare 690
students for success on assessments developed pursuant to s. 691
1007.27(2) AP or other advanced course examinati ons and mastery 692
of postsecondary general education core courses course content. 693
(b) Provide to middle school teachers and administrators 694
professional development that will enable them to educate middle 695
school students at the level necessary to prepare th e students 696
to enter high school ready to participate in advanced courses. 697
(c) Provide teacher training and materials that are 698
aligned with the state standards Next Generation Sunshine State 699
Standards and are consistent with best theory and practice 700
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 29 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
regarding multiple learning styles and research on learning, 701
instructional strategies, instructional design, and classroom 702
assessment. Curriculum materials must be based on current, 703
accepted, and essential academic knowledge. 704
(d) Provide assessment of individual strengths and 705
weaknesses as related to potential success in AP or other 706
advanced courses and readiness for college. 707
(e) Provide college entrance exam preparation through a 708
variety of means that may include, but are n ot limited to, 709
training teachers to provide courses at schools; training 710
community organizations to provide courses at community centers, 711
faith-based organizations, and businesses; and providing online 712
courses. 713
(f) Consider ways to incorporate Florida Co llege System 714
institutions in the mission of preparing all students for 715
postsecondary success. 716
(g) Provide a plan for communication and coordination of 717
efforts with the Florida Virtual School's provision of online AP 718
or other advanced courses. 719
(h) Work with school districts to identify minority and 720
underrepresented students for participation in AP or other 721
advanced courses. 722
(i) Work with school districts to provide information to 723
students and parents that explains available opportunities for 724
students to take AP and other advanced courses and that explains 725
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 30 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
enrollment procedures that students must follow to enroll in 726
such courses. Such information must also explain the value of 727
such courses as they relate to: 728
1. Preparing the student for postsecondary l evel 729
coursework. 730
2. Enabling the student to gain access to postsecondary 731
education opportunities. 732
3. Qualifying for scholarships and other financial aid 733
opportunities. 734
(j) Provide information to students, parents, teachers, 735
counselors, administrators , districts, Florida College System 736
institutions, and state universities regarding PSAT/NMSQT or the 737
PreACT administration, including, but not limited to: 738
1. Test administration dates and times. 739
2. That participation in the PSAT/NMSQT or the PreACT is 740
open to all 10th grade students. 741
3. The value of such tests in providing diagnostic 742
feedback on student skills. 743
4. The value of student scores in predicting the 744
probability of success on AP or other advanced course 745
examinations. 746
(k) Cooperate with th e department to provide information 747
to administrators, teachers, and counselors, whenever possible, 748
about partnership activities, opportunities, and priorities. 749
(l) Partner with the Florida College System institutions 750
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 31 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and state universities identified by the State Board of 751
Education and Board of Governors pursuant to s. 1007.25(3) to 752
develop advanced courses and provide teacher training. 753
Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 754
1008.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 755
1008.22 Student assessment program for public schools. — 756
(3) STATEWIDE, STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. —The 757
Commissioner of Education shall design and implement a 758
statewide, standardized assessment program aligned to the core 759
curricular content established in the s tate academic standards. 760
The commissioner also must develop or select and implement a 761
common battery of assessment tools that will be used in all 762
juvenile justice education programs in the state. These tools 763
must accurately measure the core curricular cont ent established 764
in the state academic standards. Participation in the assessment 765
program is mandatory for all school districts and all students 766
attending public schools, including adult students seeking a 767
standard high school diploma under s. 1003.4282 and students in 768
Department of Juvenile Justice education programs, except as 769
otherwise provided by law. If a student does not participate in 770
the assessment program, the school district must notify the 771
student's parent and provide the parent with information 772
regarding the implications of such nonparticipation. The 773
statewide, standardized assessment program shall be designed and 774
implemented as follows: 775
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 32 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(c) Nationally recognized high school assessments. — Each 776
school district shall, by the 2023-2024 2021-2022 school year 777
and subject to appropriation, select either the SAT , or ACT, or 778
Classic Learning Test for districtwide administration to each 779
public school student in grade 11, including students attending 780
public high schools, alternative schools, and Department of 781
Juvenile Justice education programs. 782
Section 15. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 783
1008.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 784
1008.34 School grading system; school report cards; 785
district grade.— 786
(3) DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL GRADES. — 787
(b)1. Beginning with the 2014 -2015 school year, A school's 788
grade shall be based on the following components, each worth 100 789
points: 790
a. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, 791
standardized assessments in English Language Arts under s. 792
1008.22(3). 793
b. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, 794
standardized assessments in mathematics under s. 1008.22(3). 795
c. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, 796
standardized assessments in science under s. 1008.22(3). 797
d. The percentage of eligible students passing statewide, 798
standardized assessments in social studies under s. 1008.22(3). 799
e. The percentage of eligible students who make Learning 800
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 33 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Gains in English Language Arts as measured by statewide, 801
standardized assessments a dministered under s. 1008.22(3). 802
f. The percentage of eligible students who make Learning 803
Gains in mathematics as measured by statewide, standardized 804
assessments administered under s. 1008.22(3). 805
g. The percentage of eligible students in the lowest 25 806
percent in English Language Arts, as identified by prior year 807
performance on statewide, standardized assessments, who make 808
Learning Gains as measured by statewide, standardized English 809
Language Arts assessments administered under s. 1008.22(3). 810
h. The percentage of eligible students in the lowest 25 811
percent in mathematics, as identified by prior year performance 812
on statewide, standardized assessments, who make Learning Gains 813
as measured by statewide, standardized Mathematics assessments 814
administered under s. 1008.22(3). 815
i. For schools comprised of middle grades 6 through 8 or 816
grades 7 and 8, the percentage of eligible students passing high 817
school level statewide, standardized end -of-course assessments 818
or attaining national industry certifications identif ied in the 819
CAPE Industry Certification Funding List pursuant to state board 820
rule. 821
j. Beginning in the 2023 -2024 school year, for schools 822
comprised of grade levels that include grade 3, the percentage 823
of eligible students who score an achievement level 3 or higher 824
on the grade 3 statewide, standardized English Language Arts 825
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 34 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
assessment administered under s. 1008.22(3). 826
827
In calculating Learning Gains for the components listed in sub -828
subparagraphs e.-h., the State Board of Education shall require 829
that learning growth toward achievement levels 3, 4, and 5 is 830
demonstrated by students who scor ed below each of those levels 831
in the prior year. In calculating the components in sub -832
subparagraphs a.-d., the state board shall include the 833
performance of English language learners only if they have been 834
enrolled in a school in the United States for more than 2 years. 835
2. For a school comprised of grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, or 836
grades 10, 11, and 12, the school's grade shall also be based on 837
the following components, each worth 100 points: 838
a. The 4-year high school graduation rate of the school as 839
defined by state board rule. 840
b. The percentage of students who were eligible to earn 841
college and career credit through an assessment identified 842
pursuant to s. 1007.27(2), College Board Advanced Placement 843
examinations, International Baccalaureate examinations, d ual 844
enrollment courses, including career dual enrollment courses 845
resulting in the completion of 300 or more clock hours during 846
high school which are approved by the state board as meeting the 847
requirements of s. 1007.271, or Advanced International 848
Certificate of Education examinations; who, at any time during 849
high school, earned national industry certification identified 850
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 35 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
in the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List, pursuant to 851
rules adopted by the state board; or , beginning with the 2022 -852
2023 school year, who earned an Armed Services Qualification 853
Test score that falls within Category II or higher on the Armed 854
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and earned a minimum of two 855
credits in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps courses from 856
the same branch of the United States Armed Forces. 857
Section 16. Paragraph (c) of subsection (6) of section 858
1009.531, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 859
1009.531 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; 860
student eligibility requirements for initial awards. — 861
(6) 862
(c) To ensure that the required examination scores 863
represent top student performance and are equivalent between the 864
SAT, and ACT, and Classic Learning Test (CLT) , the department 865
shall develop a method for determining the required examination 866
scores which incorporates all of the following: 867
1. The minimum required SAT score for the Florida Academic 868
Scholarship must be set no lower than the 89th national 869
percentile on the SAT. The department may adjust the required 870
SAT score only if the required score drops below the 89th 871
national percentile, and any such adjustment must be applied to 872
the bottom of the SAT score range that is concordant to the ACT 873
and CLT. 874
2. The minimum required SAT score for the Florida 875
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 36 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Medallion Scholarship must be set no lower than the 75th 876
national percentile on the SAT. The department may adjust the 877
required SAT score only if the required score drops below the 878
75th national percentile, and any such adjustment must be made 879
to the bottom of the SAT score range that is concordant to the 880
ACT and CLT. 881
3. The required ACT and CLT scores must be made concordant 882
to the required SAT scores, using the latest published national 883
concordance table developed jointly by the College Board , and 884
ACT, Inc., and Classic Learning Initiatives. 885
Section 17. Subsection (1) of section 1009.534, Florida 886
Statutes, is amended to read: 887
1009.534 Florida Academic Scholars award. — 888
(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars 889
award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements 890
for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and: 891
(a) Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as 892
calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or its equivalent, in high 893
school courses that are designated by the State Board of 894
Education as college -preparatory academic courses and has 895
attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) on 896
the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic 897
Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered 898
Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, 899
or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program; 900
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 37 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) Has attended a home education program according to s. 901
1002.41 during grades 11 and 12, has completed the International 902
Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the Interna tional 903
Baccalaureate Diploma, or has completed the Advanced 904
International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to 905
earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education 906
Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s. 907
1009.531(6)(a) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of 908
the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or 909
the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College 910
Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT 911
Assessment Program; 912
(c) Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate 913
Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office or an 914
Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma from the 915
University of Cambridge International Examinations Office; 916
(d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement 917
programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a 918
scholar or finalist; or 919
(e) Has been recognized by the National Hispanic 920
Recognition Program as a scholar recipient. 921
922
The student must complete a program of volunteer service or, 923
beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022 -2023 924
academic year and thereafter, paid work, as approved by the 925
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 38 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, 926
or the Department of Education for home education pro gram 927
students, which must include 100 hours of volunteer service , or 928
paid work, or a combination of both. Eligible paid work 929
completed on or after June 27, 2022, shall be included in the 930
student's total of paid work hours . The student may identify a 931
social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him 932
or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in 933
addressing the issue or learning about the area. The student 934
must, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and 935
reflect upon his or her volunteer service or paid work 936
experience. Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but 937
is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work 938
for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on 939
behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer 940
service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the 941
document must be signed by the student, the student's parent or 942
guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the 943
student performed the vol unteer service or paid work. 944
Section 18. Subsection (1) of section 1009.535, Florida 945
Statutes, is amended to read: 946
1009.535 Florida Medallion Scholars award. — 947
(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars 948
award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements 949
for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and: 950
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 39 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(a) Has achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.0 as 951
calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or the equivalent, in high 952
school courses that are designated by the St ate Board of 953
Education as college -preparatory academic courses and has 954
attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on 955
the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic 956
Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recent ered 957
Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, 958
or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program; 959
(b) Has completed the International Baccalaureate 960
curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate 961
Diploma or has completed the Advanced International Certificate 962
of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced 963
International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained 964
at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the 965
combined verbal and quantitativ e parts of the Scholastic 966
Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered 967
Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, 968
or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program; 969
(c) Has attended a home education program acc ording to s. 970
1002.41 during grades 11 and 12 and has attained at least the 971
score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal 972
and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the 973
Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic 974
Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an 975
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 40 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program; 976
(d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement 977
program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a 978
scholar or finalist but has not comple ted the program of 979
volunteer service or paid work required under s. 1009.534; or 980
(e) Has been recognized by the National Hispanic 981
Recognition Program as a scholar, but has not completed the 982
program of volunteer service or paid work required under s. 983
1009.534. 984
985
A high school student must complete a program at least 75 hours 986
of volunteer service or, beginning with a high school student 987
graduating in the 2022 -2023 academic year and thereafter, 100 988
hours of paid work approved by the district school board, the 989
administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of 990
Education for home education program students , which must 991
include 75 hours of volunteer service, 100 hours of paid work, 992
or 100 hours of a combination of both. Eligible paid work 993
completed on or after June 27, 2022, shall be included in a 994
student's total of required paid work hours . The student may 995
identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that 996
interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal 997
involvement in addressing t he issue or learning about the area. 998
The student must, through papers or other presentations, 999
evaluate and reflect upon his or her volunteer service or paid 1000
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 41 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
work experience. Such volunteer service or paid work may 1001
include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental 1002
internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, 1003
or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The 1004
hours of volunteer service or paid work must be documented in 1005
writing, and the document must be signed by the st udent, the 1006
student's parent or guardian, and a representative of the 1007
organization for which the student performed the volunteer 1008
service or paid work. 1009
Section 19. Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) and paragraph 1010
(b) of subsection (2) of section 1009.536, F lorida Statutes, are 1011
amended to read: 1012
1009.536 Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars and Florida 1013
Gold Seal CAPE Scholars awards. —The Florida Gold Seal Vocational 1014
Scholars award and the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award are 1015
created within the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to 1016
recognize and reward academic achievement and career preparation 1017
by high school students who wish to continue their education. 1018
(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal 1019
Vocational Scholars award if he or she meets the general 1020
eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures 1021
Scholarship Program and: 1022
(e) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service or, 1023
beginning with high school students graduating in the 2022 -2023 1024
academic year and thereafter, 100 hours of paid work, approved 1025
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 42 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic 1026
school, or the Department of Education for home education 1027
program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both. 1028
Eligible paid work completed on or after June 27 , 2022, shall be 1029
included in a student's total of required paid work hours . The 1030
student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional 1031
area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her 1032
personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about 1033
the area. The student must, through papers or other 1034
presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her volunteer 1035
service or paid work experience. Such volunteer service or paid 1036
work may include, but is not limited to, a business or 1037
governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service 1038
organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public 1039
office. The hours of volunteer service or paid work must be 1040
documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the 1041
student, the student's parent or guardian, and a representative 1042
of the organization for which the student performed the 1043
volunteer service or paid work. 1044
(2) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE 1045
Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility 1046
requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, 1047
and the student: 1048
(b) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service or, 1049
beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022 -2023 1050
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 43 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
academic year and thereafter, 100 hours of paid work, approved 1051
by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic 1052
school, or the Department of Education for home education 1053
program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both. 1054
Eligible paid work completed on or after June 27, 2022, shall be 1055
included in a student's total required paid work hours . The 1056
student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional 1057
area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her 1058
personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about 1059
the area. The student must, through papers or other 1060
presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience. 1061
Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not 1062
limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a 1063
nonprofit community servi ce organization, or activities on 1064
behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer 1065
service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the 1066
document must be signed by the student, the student's parent or 1067
guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the 1068
student performed the volunteer service or paid work. 1069
Section 20. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 1070
1012.34, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1071
1012.34 Personnel evaluation procedures and criteria. — 1072
(3) EVALUATION PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA. —Instructional 1073
personnel and school administrator performance evaluations must 1074
be based upon the performance of students assigned to their 1075
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 44 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
classrooms or schools, as provided in this section. Pursuant to 1076
this section, a scho ol district's performance evaluation system 1077
is not limited to basing unsatisfactory performance of 1078
instructional personnel and school administrators solely upon 1079
student performance, but may include other criteria to evaluate 1080
instructional personnel and sch ool administrators' performance, 1081
or any combination of student performance and other criteria. 1082
Evaluation procedures and criteria must comply with, but are not 1083
limited to, the following: 1084
(a) A performance evaluation must be conducted for each 1085
employee at least once a year, except that a classroom teacher, 1086
as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), excluding substitute teachers, 1087
who is newly hired by the district school board must be observed 1088
and evaluated at least twice in the first year of teaching in 1089
the school district. The performance evaluation must be based 1090
upon sound educational principles and contemporary research in 1091
effective educational practices. The evaluation criteria must 1092
include: 1093
1. Performance of students. —At least one-third of a 1094
performance evaluation must be based upon data and indicators of 1095
student performance, as determined by each school district. This 1096
portion of the evaluation must include growth or achievement 1097
data of the teacher's students or, for a school administrator, 1098
the students attendin g the school over the course of at least 3 1099
years. If less than 3 years of data are available, the years for 1100
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 45 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
which data are available must be used. The proportion of growth 1101
or achievement data may be determined by instructional 1102
assignment. 1103
2. Instructional practice.—For instructional personnel, at 1104
least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based upon 1105
instructional practice. Evaluation criteria used when annually 1106
observing classroom teachers, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), 1107
excluding substitute t eachers, must include indicators based 1108
upon each of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices adopted 1109
by the State Board of Education. For instructional personnel who 1110
are not classroom teachers, evaluation criteria must be based 1111
upon indicators of the Fl orida Educator Accomplished Practices 1112
and may include specific job expectations related to student 1113
support. This section does not preclude a school administrator 1114
from visiting and observing classroom teachers throughout the 1115
school year for purposes of prov iding mentorship, training, 1116
instructional feedback, or professional learning. 1117
3. Instructional leadership. —For school administrators, at 1118
least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based on 1119
instructional leadership. Evaluation criteria for inst ructional 1120
leadership must include indicators based upon each of the 1121
leadership standards adopted by the State Board of Education 1122
under s. 1012.986, including performance measures related to the 1123
effectiveness of classroom teachers in the school, the 1124
administrator's appropriate use of evaluation criteria and 1125
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 46 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
procedures, recruitment and retention of effective and highly 1126
effective classroom teachers, improvement in the percentage of 1127
instructional personnel evaluated at the highly effective or 1128
effective level, and other leadership practices that result in 1129
student learning growth. The system may include a means to give 1130
parents and instructional personnel an opportunity to provide 1131
input into the administrator's performance evaluation. 1132
4. Other indicators of perfo rmance.—For instructional 1133
personnel and school administrators, the remainder of a 1134
performance evaluation may include, but is not limited to, 1135
professional and job responsibilities as recommended by the 1136
State Board of Education or identified by the district school 1137
board and, for instructional personnel, peer reviews, 1138
objectively reliable survey information from students and 1139
parents based on teaching practices that are consistently 1140
associated with higher student achievement, and other valid and 1141
reliable measures of instructional practice. 1142
Section 21. Subsections (9) through (16) of section 1143
1012.56, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (10) 1144
through (17), respectively, subsection (1), paragraphs (d), (g), 1145
and (i) of subsection (2) and subsections ( 6), (7), and (8) are 1146
amended, and a new subsection (9) is added to that section, to 1147
read: 1148
1012.56 Educator certification requirements. — 1149
(1) APPLICATION.—Each person seeking certification 1150
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 47 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
pursuant to this chapter shall submit a completed application 1151
containing the applicant's social security number to the 1152
Department of Education and remit the fee required pursuant to 1153
s. 1012.59 and rules of the State Board of Education. Pursuant 1154
to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity 1155
Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is required to provide 1156
his or her social security number in accordance with this 1157
section. Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through 1158
this requirement is limited to the purpose of administration of 1159
the Title IV-D program of the Social Security Act for child 1160
support enforcement. 1161
(a) Pursuant to s. 120.60, the department shall issue 1162
within 90 calendar days after receipt of the completed 1163
application a professional certificate to a qualifying applicant 1164
covering the classifica tion, level, and area for which the 1165
applicant is deemed qualified and a document explaining the 1166
requirements for renewal of the professional certificate. 1167
(b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 1168
a qualifying applicant within 14 calendar days after receipt of 1169
a request from an employer with a professional education 1170
competence demonstration program pursuant to paragraph 1171
paragraphs (6)(f) and subsection (9) (8)(b). The temporary 1172
certificate must cover the classification, level, and area for 1173
which the applicant is deemed qualified. The department shall 1174
electronically notify the applicant's employer that the 1175
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 48 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
temporary certificate has been issued and provide the applicant 1176
an official statement of status of eligibility at the time the 1177
certificate is issued. 1178
(c) Pursuant to s. 120.60, the department shall issue 1179
within 90 calendar days after receipt of the completed 1180
application, if an applicant does not meet the requirements for 1181
either certificate, an official statement of status of 1182
eligibility. 1183
1184
The statement of status of eligibility must be provided 1185
electronically and must advise the applicant of any 1186
qualifications that must be completed to qualify for 1187
certification. Each method by which an applicant can complete 1188
the qualifications for a professi onal certificate must be 1189
included in the statement of status of eligibility. Each 1190
statement of status of eligibility is valid for 5 3 years after 1191
its date of issuance, except as provided in paragraph (2)(d). 1192
(2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. —To be eligible to se ek 1193
certification, a person must: 1194
(d) Submit to background screening in accordance with 1195
subsection (11) (10). If the background screening indicates a 1196
criminal history or if the applicant acknowledges a criminal 1197
history, the applicant's records shall be re ferred to the 1198
investigative section in the Department of Education for review 1199
and determination of eligibility for certification. If the 1200
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 49 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
applicant fails to provide the necessary documentation requested 1201
by the department within 90 days after the date of the receipt 1202
of the certified mail request, the statement of eligibility and 1203
pending application shall become invalid. 1204
(g) Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge , pursuant to 1205
subsection (3), if the person serves as a classroom teacher 1206
pursuant to s. 1012.0 1(2)(a). 1207
(i) Demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and 1208
education competence, pursuant to subsection (6) , if the person 1209
serves as a classroom teacher or school administrator as 1210
classified in s. 1012.01(2)(a) and (3)(c), respectively . 1211
(6) MASTERY OF PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND EDUCATION 1212
COMPETENCE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of 1213
professional preparation and education competence are: 1214
(a) Successful completion of an approved teacher 1215
preparation program at a postsecondary education al institution 1216
within this state and achievement of a passing score on the 1217
professional education competency examination required by state 1218
board rule; 1219
(b) Successful completion of a teacher preparation program 1220
at a postsecondary educational institution o utside Florida and 1221
achievement of a passing score on the professional education 1222
competency examination required by state board rule; 1223
(c) Documentation of a valid professional standard 1224
teaching certificate issued by another state; 1225
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 50 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(d) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the 1226
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national 1227
educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of 1228
Education; 1229
(e) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full -1230
time or part-time teaching in a Florida College System 1231
institution, state university, or private college or university 1232
that awards an associate or higher degree and is an accredited 1233
institution or an institution of higher education identified by 1234
the Department of Education as having a quality program and 1235
achievement of a passing score on the professional education 1236
competency examination required by state board rule; 1237
(f) Successful completion of professional preparation 1238
courses as specified in state board rule, successful completion 1239
of a professional preparation and education competence program 1240
pursuant to subsection (9) paragraph (8)(b), and achievement of 1241
a passing score on the professional education competency 1242
examination required by state board rule; 1243
(g) Successful completion of a professional learning 1244
development certification and education competency program, 1245
outlined in subsection (8) paragraph (8)(a); or 1246
(h) Successful completion of a competency -based 1247
certification program pursuant to s. 1004.85 and achievement of 1248
a passing score on the professional education competency 1249
examination required by rule of the State Board of Education. 1250
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 51 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1251
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this 1252
subsection by December 31, 2014 , including rules to approve 1253
specific teacher prep aration programs that are not identified in 1254
this subsection which may be used to meet requirements for 1255
mastery of professional preparation and education competence. 1256
(7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION. — 1257
(a) The Department of Education shall issue a pr ofessional 1258
certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant 1259
who fulfills one of the following: 1260
1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in 1261
subsection (2). 1262
2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 1263
through 12: 1264
a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a) -1265
(h). 1266
b. Holds a master's or higher degree in the area of 1267
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 1268
c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the 1269
advanced degree. 1270
d. Is rated highly ef fective as determined by the 1271
teacher's performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part 1272
on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized 1273
assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International 1274
Certificate of Education, or Internati onal Baccalaureate 1275
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 52 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
examination. 1276
e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional 1277
education competency examination required by state board rule. 1278
3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a) -1279
(h) and completes a professional learning certification 1280
preparation and education competence program approved by the 1281
department pursuant to paragraph (8)(b) (8)(c) or an educator 1282
preparation institute approved by the department pursuant to s. 1283
1004.85. An applicant who completes one of these program s and is 1284
rated highly effective as determined by his or her performance 1285
evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a 1286
passing score on the professional education competency 1287
examination in order to be awarded a professional certificate. 1288
(b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 1289
any applicant who: 1290
1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs 1291
(2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content requirements 1292
specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of sub ject 1293
area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and holds an 1294
accredited degree or a degree approved by the Department of 1295
Education at the level required for the subject area 1296
specialization in state board rule; or 1297
2. For a subject area specialization for w hich the state 1298
board otherwise requires a bachelor's degree, documents 48 1299
months of active-duty military service with an honorable 1300
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 53 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements 1301
outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d) -(f); completes the 1302
subject area content requirements specified in state board rule 1303
or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to 1304
subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits 1305
with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 1306
scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of 1307
higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher 1308
learning identified by the Department of Education as having a 1309
quality program resulting in a bachelor's degree or higher ; or. 1310
3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation 1311
program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required 1312
program field experience or internship at a public school; 1313
completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), 1314
(d), (e), and (f); and document s completion of 60 college 1315
credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on 1316
a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions 1317
of higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher 1318
learning identified by the Department of Education as having a 1319
quality program resulting in a bachelor's degree or higher. 1320
(c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2 -year 1321
temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5 -year professional 1322
certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bache lor's 1323
degree in the area of speech -language impairment to allow for 1324
completion of a master's degree program in speech -language 1325
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 54 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
impairment. 1326
(d) A person who is issued a temporary certificate under 1327
subparagraph (b)2. must be assigned a teacher mentor for a 1328
minimum of 2 school years after commencing employment. Each 1329
teacher mentor selected by the school district, charter school, 1330
or charter management organization must: 1331
1. Hold a valid professional certificate issued pursuant 1332
to this section; 1333
2. Have earned at least 3 years of teaching experience in 1334
prekindergarten through grade 12; and 1335
3. Have earned an effective or highly effective rating on 1336
the prior year's performance evaluation under s. 1012.34. 1337
(e)(e)1. A temporary certificate issued under subparagraph 1338
(b)1. is valid for 3 school fiscal years and is nonrenewable. 1339
2. A temporary certificate issued under subparagraph (b)2. 1340
is valid for 5 school fiscal years, is limited to a one -time 1341
issuance, and is nonrenewable. 1342
1343
At least 1 year before an individ ual's temporary certificate is 1344
set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the 1345
individual of the date on which his or her certificate will 1346
expire and provide a list of each method by which the 1347
qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed. 1348
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow the 1349
department to extend the validity period of a temporary 1350
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 55 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the 1351
professional certificate were not completed due to the serious 1352
illness or injury of the applicant, the military service of an 1353
applicant's spouse, other extraordinary extenuating 1354
circumstances, or if the certificateholder is rated highly 1355
effective in the immediate prior year's performance evaluation 1356
pursuant to s. 1012.34 or h as completed a 2-year mentorship 1357
program pursuant to subsection (8). The department shall extend 1358
the temporary certificate upon approval by the Commissioner of 1359
Education. A written request for extension of the certificate 1360
shall be submitted by the district school superintendent, the 1361
governing authority of a university lab school, the governing 1362
authority of a state -supported school, or the governing 1363
authority of a private school. 1364
(8) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION AND 1365
EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.— 1366
(a) The Department of Education shall develop and each 1367
school district, charter school, and charter management 1368
organization may provide a cohesive competency -based 1369
professional learning development certification and education 1370
competency program by which instructional staff may satisfy the 1371
mastery of professional preparation and education competence 1372
requirements specified in subsection (6) and rules of the State 1373
Board of Education. Participants must hold a state -issued 1374
temporary certificate. A sc hool district, charter school, or 1375
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 56 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
charter management organization that implements the program 1376
shall provide a competency -based certification program developed 1377
by the Department of Education or developed by the district, 1378
charter school, or charter managemen t organization and approved 1379
by the Department of Education. These entities may collaborate 1380
with other supporting agencies or educational entities for 1381
implementation. The program shall include the following: 1382
1. A minimum period of initial preparation befo re assuming 1383
duties as the teacher of record. 1384
2. An option for collaboration with other supporting 1385
agencies or educational entities for implementation. 1386
1.3. A teacher mentorship and induction component. 1387
a. Each individual selected by the district , charter 1388
school, or charter management organization as a mentor: 1389
(I) Must hold a valid professional certificate issued 1390
pursuant to this section; 1391
(II) Must have earned at least 3 years of teaching 1392
experience in prekindergarten through grade 12; 1393
(III) Must have completed specialized training in clinical 1394
supervision and participate in ongoing mentor training provided 1395
through the coordinated system of professional learning 1396
development under s. 1012.98(4) s. 1012.98(3)(e); 1397
(IV) Must have earned an effective or highly effective 1398
rating on the prior year's performance evaluation under s. 1399
1012.34; and 1400
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 57 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(V) May be a peer evaluator under the district's 1401
evaluation system approved under s. 1012.34. 1402
b. The teacher mentorship and induction component must, at 1403
a minimum, provide routine weekly opportunities for mentoring 1404
and induction activities, including common planning time, 1405
ongoing professional learning as described in s. 1012.98 1406
development targeted to a teacher's needs, opportunities for a 1407
teacher to observe othe r teachers, co-teaching experiences, and 1408
reflection and followup discussions. Professional learning must 1409
meet the criteria established in s. 1012.98(3). Mentorship and 1410
induction activities must be provided for an applicant's first 1411
year in the program and m ay be provided until the applicant 1412
attains his or her professional certificate in accordance with 1413
this section. A principal who is rated highly effective as 1414
determined by his or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 1415
must be provided flexibility in se lecting professional 1416
development activities under this paragraph; however, the 1417
activities must be approved by the department as part of the 1418
district's, charter school's, or charter management 1419
organization's program. 1420
2.4. An assessment of teaching perform ance aligned to the 1421
district's, charter school's, or charter management 1422
organization's system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34 1423
which provides for: 1424
a. An initial evaluation of each educator's competencies 1425
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 58 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to determine an appropriate individualize d professional learning 1426
development plan. 1427
b. A summative evaluation to assure successful completion 1428
of the program. 1429
3.5. Professional education preparation content knowledge, 1430
which must be included in the mentoring and induction activities 1431
under subparagraph 1. 3., that includes, but is not limited to, 1432
the following: 1433
a. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41, 1434
including scientifically based reading instruction, content 1435
literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject 1436
identified on the temporary certificate. 1437
b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the 1438
state board. 1439
c. A variety of data indicators for monitoring student 1440
progress. 1441
d. Methodologies for teaching students with disabilities. 1442
e. Methodologies for teaching students of limited English 1443
proficiency appropriate for each subject area identified on the 1444
temporary certificate. 1445
f. Techniques and strategies for operationalizing the role 1446
of the teacher in assuring a safe learning environment for 1447
students. 1448
4.6. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject 1449
area and professional education compet ency examination required 1450
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 59 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge 1451
must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3). 1452
5.7. Beginning with candidates entering a program in the 1453
2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a 1454
coverage area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must 1455
successfully complete all competencies for a reading 1456
endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum 1457
through the candidate's demonstration of mastery of professional 1458
preparation and education competence under paragraph (b) . 1459
(b)1. Each school district must and a private school or 1460
state-supported public school, including a charter school, may 1461
develop and maintain a system by which members of the 1462
instructional staff may demonstrate mastery of professional 1463
preparation and education competence as required by law. Each 1464
program must be based on classroom application of the Florida 1465
Educator Accomplished Practices and instructional performance 1466
and, for public schools, must be aligned with the district's or 1467
state-supported public school's evaluation system established 1468
under s. 1012.34, as applicable. 1469
2. The Commissioner of Education shall determine the 1470
continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph, 1471
based upon the departm ent's review of performance data. The 1472
department shall review the performance data as a part of the 1473
periodic review of each school district's professional 1474
development system required under s. 1012.98. 1475
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 60 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b)(c) No later than December 31, 2017, The department 1476
State Board of Education shall adopt rules standards for the 1477
approval and continued approval of professional learning 1478
development certification and education competency programs 1479
aligned to, including standards for the teacher mentorship and 1480
induction component, under paragraph (a). Standards for the 1481
teacher mentorship and induction component must include program 1482
administration and evaluation; mentor roles, selection, and 1483
training; beginning teacher assessment and professional 1484
development; and teacher cont ent knowledge and practices aligned 1485
to the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. Each school 1486
district or charter school with a program under this subsection 1487
must submit its program, including the teacher mentorship and 1488
induction component, to the depart ment for approval no later 1489
than June 30, 2018. After December 31, 2018, A teacher may not 1490
satisfy requirements for a professional certificate through a 1491
professional learning development certification and education 1492
competency program under paragraph (a) unless the program has 1493
been approved by the department pursuant to this paragraph. 1494
(9) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM. — 1495
(a) Each school district must and a private school or 1496
state-supported public school, including a charter school, may 1497
develop and maintain a system by which members of the 1498
instructional staff may demonstrate mastery of professional 1499
preparation and education competence as required by law. Each 1500
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 61 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
program must be based on classroom application of the Florida 1501
Educator Accomplished Pra ctices and instructional performance 1502
and, for public schools, must be aligned with the district's or 1503
state-supported public school's evaluation system established 1504
under s. 1012.34, as applicable. 1505
(b) The Commissioner of Education shall determine the 1506
continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph, 1507
based upon the department's review of performance data. The 1508
department shall review the performance data as a part of the 1509
periodic review of each school district's professional learning 1510
system required under s. 1012.98. 1511
(d) The Commissioner of Education shall determine the 1512
continued approval of programs implemented under paragraph (a) 1513
based upon the department's periodic review of the following: 1514
1. Evidence that the requirements in paragraph ( a) are 1515
consistently met; and 1516
2. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas: 1517
a. Rate of retention for employed program completers in 1518
instructional positions in Florida public schools. 1519
b. Performance of students in prekindergarten through 1520
grade 12 who are assigned to in -field program completers on 1521
statewide assessments using the results of the student learning 1522
growth formula adopted under s. 1012.34. 1523
c. Performance of students in prekindergarten through 1524
grade 12 who are assigned to in -field program completers 1525
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 62 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
aggregated by student subgroups, as defined in the federal 1526
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s. 1527
6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program 1528
prepares teachers to work with a variety of students in F lorida 1529
public schools. 1530
d. Results of program completers' annual evaluations in 1531
accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34. 1532
e. Production of program completers in statewide critical 1533
teacher shortage areas as defined in s. 1012.07. 1534
Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 1012.57, Florida 1535
Statutes, is amended to read: 1536
1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators. — 1537
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 1012.32, 1538
1012.55, and 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to 1539
the contrary, district school boards shall adopt rules to allow 1540
for the issuance of an adjunct teaching certificate to any 1541
applicant who fulfills the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) 1542
and (11) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and (10) and who has expertise in 1543
the subject area to be taught. An applicant shall be considered 1544
to have expertise in the subject area to be taught if the 1545
applicant demonstrates sufficient subject area mastery through 1546
passage of a subject area test. 1547
Section 23. Section 1012.575, Florida Statutes, is am ended 1548
to read: 1549
1012.575 Alternative preparation programs for certified 1550
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 63 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
teachers to add additional coverage. —A district school board, or 1551
an organization of private schools or a consortium of charter 1552
schools with an approved professional learning development 1553
system as described in s. 1012.98(7) s. 1012.98(6), may design 1554
alternative teacher preparation programs to enable persons 1555
already certificated to add an additional coverage to their 1556
certificates. Each alternative teacher preparation program shall 1557
be reviewed and approved by the Department of Education to 1558
assure that persons who complete the program are competent in 1559
the necessary areas of subject matter specialization. Two or 1560
more school districts may jointly participate in an alternative 1561
preparation program for teachers. 1562
Section 24. Paragraph (g) of subsection (3) of section 1563
1012.585, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph (h), 1564
and a new paragraph (g) is added to that subsection, to read: 1565
1012.585 Process for renewal of professional 1566
certificates.— 1567
(3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the 1568
following requirements must be met: 1569
(g) An applicant for renewal of a professional certificate 1570
in educational leadership from a Level I program under s. 1571
1012.562(2) or Level II program un der s. 1012.562(3), with a 1572
beginning validity date of July 1, 2025, or thereafter, must 1573
earn a minimum of 1 college credit or 20 inservice points in 1574
Florida's educational leadership standards, as established in 1575
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 64 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
rule by the State Board of Education. The req uirement in this 1576
paragraph may not add to the total hours required by the 1577
department for continuing education or inservice training. 1578
Section 25. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 1579
1012.586, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1580
1012.586 Additions or changes to certificates; duplicate 1581
certificates; reading endorsement pathways. — 1582
(1) A school district may process via a Department of 1583
Education website certificates for the following applications of 1584
public school employees: 1585
(a) Addition of a subject coverage or endorsement to a 1586
valid Florida certificate on the basis of the completion of the 1587
appropriate subject area testing requirements of s. 1588
1012.56(5)(a) or the completion of the requirements of an 1589
approved school district program or the in service components for 1590
an endorsement. 1591
1. To reduce duplication, the department may recommend the 1592
consolidation of endorsement areas and requirements to the State 1593
Board of Education. 1594
2. At least once every 5 years, the department shall 1595
conduct a review of existing subject coverage or endorsement 1596
requirements in the elementary, reading, and exceptional student 1597
educational areas. The review must include reciprocity 1598
requirements for out -of-state certificates and requirements for 1599
demonstrating competency in the reading instruction professional 1600
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 65 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
learning development topics listed in s. 1012.98(5)(b)11 s. 1601
1012.98(4)(b)11. The review must also consider the award of an 1602
endorsement to an individual who holds a certificate issued by 1603
an internationally recognized or ganization that establishes 1604
standards for providing evidence -based interventions to 1605
struggling readers or who completes a postsecondary program that 1606
is accredited by such organization. Any such certificate or 1607
program must require an individual who complete s the certificate 1608
or program to demonstrate competence in reading intervention 1609
strategies through clinical experience. At the conclusion of 1610
each review, the department shall recommend to the state board 1611
changes to the subject coverage or endorsement requir ements 1612
based upon any identified instruction or intervention strategies 1613
proven to improve student reading performance. This subparagraph 1614
does not authorize the state board to establish any new 1615
certification subject coverage. 1616
1617
The employing school district shall charge the employee a fee 1618
not to exceed the amount charged by the Department of Education 1619
for such services. Each district school board shall retain a 1620
portion of the fee as defined in the rules of the State Board of 1621
Education. The portion sent to the department shall be used for 1622
maintenance of the technology system, the web application, and 1623
posting and mailing of the certificate. 1624
Section 26. Section 1012.98, Florida Statutes, is amended 1625
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 66 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to read: 1626
1012.98 School Community Professional Learning Development 1627
Act.— 1628
(1) The Department of Education, public postsecondary 1629
educational institutions, public school districts, public 1630
schools, state education foundations, consortia, and 1631
professional organizations in this state shall work 1632
collaboratively to est ablish a coordinated system of 1633
professional learning. For the purposes of this section, the 1634
term "professional learning" means learning that is aligned to 1635
the state's standards for effective professional learning, 1636
educator practices, and leadership practic es; incorporates 1637
active learning; is collaborative; provides models; and is 1638
sustained and continuous development. The purpose of the 1639
professional learning development system is to increase student 1640
achievement, enhance classroom instructional strategies tha t 1641
promote rigor and relevance throughout the curriculum, and 1642
prepare students for continuing education and the workforce. The 1643
system of professional learning development must align to the 1644
standards adopted by the state . Routine informational meetings 1645
may not be considered professional learning and are not eligible 1646
for inservice points and support the framework for standards 1647
adopted by the National Staff Development Council . 1648
(2) The school community includes students and parents, 1649
administrative personnel, managers, instructional personnel, 1650
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 67 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
support personnel, members of district school boards, members of 1651
school advisory councils, business partners, and personnel that 1652
provide health and social services to students. 1653
(3) Professional learning activities link ed to student 1654
learning and professional growth for instructional and 1655
administrative staff meet the following criteria: 1656
(a) For instructional personnel, utilize materials aligned 1657
to the state's academic standards. 1658
(b) For school administrators, utilize materials aligned 1659
to the state's educational leadership standards. 1660
(c) Have clear, defined, and measurable outcomes for both 1661
individual inservice activities and multiple day sessions. 1662
(d) Employ multiple measurement tools for data on teacher 1663
growth, participants' use of new knowledge and skills, student 1664
learning outcomes, instructional growth outcomes, and leadership 1665
growth outcomes, as applicable. 1666
(e) Utilize active learning and engage participants 1667
directly in designing and trying out strategies, pro viding 1668
participants with the opportunity to engage in authentic 1669
teaching and leadership experiences. 1670
(f) Utilize artifacts, interactive activities, and other 1671
strategies to provide deeply embedded and highly contextualized 1672
professional learning. 1673
(g) Create opportunities for collaboration. 1674
(h) Utilize coaching and expert support to involve the 1675
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 68 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
sharing of expertise about content and evidence -based practices, 1676
focused directly on instructional personnel and school 1677
administrator needs. 1678
(i) Provide opportu nities for instructional personnel and 1679
school administrators to think about, receive input on, and make 1680
changes to practice by facilitating reflection and providing 1681
feedback. 1682
(j) Provide sustained duration with followup for 1683
instructional personnel and sc hool administrators to have 1684
adequate time to learn, practice, implement, and reflect upon 1685
new strategies that facilitate changes in practice. 1686
(4)(3) The activities designed to implement this section 1687
must: 1688
(a) Support and increase the success of educato rs through 1689
collaboratively developed school improvement plans that focus 1690
on: 1691
1. Enhanced and differentiated instructional strategies to 1692
engage students in a rigorous and relevant curriculum based on 1693
state and local educational standards, goals, and initi atives; 1694
2. Increased opportunities to provide meaningful 1695
relationships between teachers and all students; and 1696
3. Increased opportunities for professional collaboration 1697
among and between teachers, certified school counselors, 1698
instructional leaders, post secondary educators engaged in 1699
preservice training for new teachers, and the workforce 1700
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 69 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
community. 1701
(b) Assist the school community in providing stimulating, 1702
scientific research-based educational activities that encourage 1703
and motivate students to achieve a t the highest levels and to 1704
participate as active learners and that prepare students for 1705
success at subsequent educational levels and the workforce. 1706
(c) Provide continuous support for all education 1707
professionals as well as temporary intervention for educ ation 1708
professionals who need improvement in knowledge, skills, and 1709
performance. 1710
(d) Provide middle grades instructional personnel and 1711
school administrators with the knowledge, skills, and best 1712
practices necessary to support excellence in classroom 1713
instruction and educational leadership. 1714
(e) Provide training to teacher mentors as part of the 1715
professional learning development certification program under s. 1716
1012.56(8) and the professional education competency program 1717
under s. 1012.56(9) s. 1012.56(8)(a). The training must include 1718
components on teacher development, peer coaching, time 1719
management, and other relat ed topics as determined by the 1720
Department of Education. 1721
(5)(4) The Department of Education, school districts, 1722
schools, Florida College System institutions, and state 1723
universities share the responsibilities described in this 1724
section. These responsibilitie s include the following: 1725
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 70 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(a)1. The department shall create a high -quality 1726
professional learning marketplace list that acts as guide and 1727
tool for teachers, schools, school administrators, and districts 1728
across the state to identify high -quality professional learning 1729
provider programs and resources that meet the criteria described 1730
in subsection (3) and have demonstrated success in meeting 1731
identified student needs. 1732
2.(a)1. The department shall disseminate to the school 1733
community, through a centralized profe ssional learning webpage, 1734
the marketplace list under subparagraph 1 research-based 1735
professional development methods and programs that have 1736
demonstrated success in meeting identified student needs . The 1737
Commissioner of Education shall use data on student achievement 1738
to identify student needs. The methods of dissemination must 1739
include a web-based statewide performance support system, 1740
including a database of exemplary professional development 1741
activities, a listing of available professional development 1742
resources, training programs, and available assistance. 1743
2. The web-based statewide performance support system 1744
established pursuant to subparagraph 1. must include for middle 1745
grades, subject to appropria tion, materials related to classroom 1746
instruction, including integrated digital instruction and 1747
competency-based instruction; CAPE Digital Tool certificates and 1748
CAPE industry certifications; classroom management; student 1749
behavior and interaction; extended l earning opportunities for 1750
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 71 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
students; and instructional leadership. 1751
(b) Each school district shall develop a professional 1752
learning development system as specified in subsection (4) (3). 1753
The system shall be developed in consultation with teachers, 1754
teacher-educators of Florida College System institutions and 1755
state universities, business and community representatives, and 1756
local education foundations, consortia, and professional 1757
organizations. The professional learning development system 1758
must: 1759
1. Be reviewed and approved by the department for 1760
compliance with s. 1003.42(3) and this section. Effective March 1761
1, 2024, the department shall establish a calendar for the 1762
review and approval of all professional learning systems. A 1763
professional learning system must be r eviewed and approved every 1764
5 years. Any All substantial revisions to the system shall be 1765
submitted to the department for review and for continued 1766
approval. The department shall establish a format for the review 1767
and approval of a professional learning syste m. 1768
2. Be based on analyses of student achievement data and 1769
instructional strategies and methods that support rigorous, 1770
relevant, and challenging curricula for all students. Schools 1771
and districts, in developing and refining the professional 1772
learning development system, shall also review and monitor 1773
school discipline data; school environment surveys; assessments 1774
of parental satisfaction; performance appraisal data of 1775
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 72 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
teachers, managers, and administrative personnel; and other 1776
performance indicators to ident ify school and student needs that 1777
can be met by improved professional performance. 1778
3. Provide inservice activities coupled with followup 1779
support appropriate to accomplish district -level and school-1780
level improvement goals and standards. The inservice acti vities 1781
for instructional and school administrative personnel shall 1782
focus on analysis of student achievement data, ongoing formal 1783
and informal assessments of student achievement, identification 1784
and use of enhanced and differentiated instructional strategies 1785
that emphasize rigor, relevance, and reading in the content 1786
areas, enhancement of subject content expertise, integrated use 1787
of classroom technology that enhances teaching and learning, 1788
classroom management, parent involvement, and school safety. 1789
4. Provide inservice activities and support targeted to 1790
the individual needs of new teachers participating in the 1791
professional learning development certification and education 1792
competency program under s. 1012.56(8)(a). 1793
5. Include a professional learning catalog master plan for 1794
inservice activities, pursuant to rules of the State Board of 1795
Education, for all district employees from all fund sources. The 1796
catalog master plan shall be updated annually by September 1, 1797
must be based on input from teachers and district and school 1798
instructional leaders, and must use the latest available student 1799
achievement data and research to enhance rigor and relevance in 1800
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 73 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
the classroom. Each district inservice catalog plan must be 1801
aligned to and support the school -based inservice catalog plans 1802
and school improvement plans pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). Each 1803
district inservice catalog plan must provide a description of 1804
the training that middle grades instructional personnel and 1805
school administrators receive on the district's code of student 1806
conduct adopted pursuant to s. 1006.07; integrated digital 1807
instruction and competency -based instruction and CAPE Digital 1808
Tool certificates and CAPE industry certifications; classroom 1809
management; student behavior and interaction; extended learning 1810
opportunities for students; and instructional leadership. 1811
District plans must be approved by the district school board 1812
annually in order to ensure compliance with subsection (1) and 1813
to allow for dissemination of research -based best practices to 1814
other districts. Dis trict school boards must submit verification 1815
of their approval to the Commissioner of Education no later than 1816
October 1, annually. Each school principal may establish and 1817
maintain an individual professional learning development plan 1818
for each instructional employee assigned to the school as a 1819
seamless component to the school improvement plans developed 1820
pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). An individual professional learning 1821
development plan must be related to specific performance data 1822
for the students to whom the tea cher is assigned, define the 1823
inservice objectives and specific measurable improvements 1824
expected in student performance as a result of the inservice 1825
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 74 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
activity, and include an evaluation component that determines 1826
the effectiveness of the professional learning development plan. 1827
6. Include inservice activities for school administrative 1828
personnel, aligned to the state's educational leadership 1829
standards, that address updated skills necessary for 1830
instructional leadership and effective school management 1831
pursuant to s. 1012.986. 1832
7. Provide for systematic consultation with regional and 1833
state personnel designated to provide technical assistance and 1834
evaluation of local professional learning development programs. 1835
8. Provide for delivery of professional learning 1836
development by distance learning and other technology -based 1837
delivery systems to reach more educators at lower costs. 1838
9. Provide for the continuous evaluation of the quality 1839
and effectiveness of professional learning development programs 1840
in order to eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and to 1841
expand effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact of 1842
such activities on the performance of participating educators 1843
and their students' achievement and behavior. 1844
10. For all middle grades, emphasize: 1845
a. Interdisciplinary planning, collaboration, and 1846
instruction. 1847
b. Alignment of curriculum and instructional materials to 1848
the state academic standards adopted pursuant to s. 1003.41. 1849
c. Use of small learning communities; problem -solving, 1850
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 75 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
inquiry-driven research and analytical approaches for students; 1851
strategies and tools based on student needs; competency -based 1852
instruction; integrated digital instruction; and project -based 1853
instruction. 1854
1855
Each school that includes any of grades 6, 7, or 8 must include 1856
in its school improvement plan, required under s. 1001.42(18), a 1857
description of the specific strategies used by the school to 1858
implement each item listed in this subparagraph. 1859
11. Provide training to reading coaches, classroom 1860
teachers, and school administra tors in effective methods of 1861
identifying characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia and 1862
other causes of diminished phonological processing skills; 1863
incorporating instructional techniques into the general 1864
education setting which are proven to improve rea ding 1865
performance for all students; and using predictive and other 1866
data to make instructional decisions based on individual student 1867
needs. The training must help teachers integrate phonemic 1868
awareness; phonics, word study, and spelling; reading fluency; 1869
vocabulary, including academic vocabulary; and text 1870
comprehension strategies into an explicit, systematic, and 1871
sequential approach to reading instruction, including 1872
multisensory intervention strategies. Each district must provide 1873
all elementary grades instruct ional personnel access to training 1874
sufficient to meet the requirements of s. 1012.585(3)(f). 1875
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 76 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(6)(5) Each district school board shall provide funding 1876
for the professional learning development system as required by 1877
s. 1011.62 and the General Appropriations Act, and shall direct 1878
expenditures from other funding sources to continuously 1879
strengthen the system in order to increase student achievement 1880
and support instructional staff in enhancing rigor and relevance 1881
in the classroom. The department shall identify professional 1882
learning development opportunities that require the teacher to 1883
demonstrate proficiency in specific classroom practices, with 1884
priority given to implementing training to complete a r eading 1885
endorsement pathway adopted pursuant to s. 1012.586(2)(a). A 1886
school district may coordinate its professional learning 1887
development program with that of another district, with an 1888
educational consortium, or with a Florida College System 1889
institution or university, especially in preparing and educating 1890
personnel. Each district school board shall make available 1891
inservice activities to instructional personnel of nonpublic 1892
schools in the district and the state certified teachers who are 1893
not employed by the d istrict school board on a fee basis not to 1894
exceed the cost of the activity per all participants. 1895
(7)(6) An organization of private schools or consortium of 1896
charter schools which has no fewer than 10 member schools in 1897
this state, which publishes and files with the Department of 1898
Education copies of its standards, and the member schools of 1899
which comply with the provisions of part II of chapter 1003, 1900
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 77 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
relating to compulsory school attendance, or a public or private 1901
college or university with a teacher preparat ion program 1902
approved pursuant to s. 1004.04, may also develop a professional 1903
learning development system that includes a professional 1904
learning catalog master plan for inservice activities. The 1905
system and inservice catalog plan must be submitted to the 1906
commissioner for approval pursuant to state board rules. 1907
(8)(a)(7)(a) The Department of Education shall 1908
disseminate, using web -based technology, research -based best 1909
practice methods by which the state and district school boards 1910
may evaluate and improve the p rofessional learning development 1911
system. The best practices must include data that indicate the 1912
progress of all students. The department shall report annually 1913
to the State Board of Education and the Legislature any school 1914
district that, in the determinatio n of the department, has 1915
failed to provide an adequate professional learning development 1916
system. This report must include the results of the department's 1917
investigation and of any intervention provided. 1918
(b) The department shall also disseminate, using web -based 1919
technology, professional learning development in the use of 1920
integrated digital instruction at schools that include middle 1921
grades. The professional learning development must provide 1922
training and materials that districts can use to provide 1923
instructional personnel with the necessary knowledge, skills, 1924
and strategies to effectively blend digital instruction into 1925
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 78 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
subject-matter curricula. The professional learning development 1926
must emphasize online learning and research techniques, reading 1927
instruction, the use of digital devices to supplement the 1928
delivery of curricular content to students, and digital device 1929
management and security. Districts are encouraged to incorporate 1930
the professional learning development as part of their 1931
professional learning development system. 1932
(9)(8) The State Board of Education may adopt rules 1933
pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to administer this 1934
section. 1935
(10)(9) This section does not limit or discourage a 1936
district school board from contracting with independent entities 1937
for professional learning development services and inservice 1938
education if the district school board can demonstrate to the 1939
Commissioner of Education that, through such a contract, a 1940
better product can be acquired or its goals for education 1941
improvement can be bet ter met. Such entities shall have 3 or 1942
more years of experience providing professional learning with 1943
demonstrative success in instructional or school administrator 1944
growth. The school district must verify that such entities and 1945
contracted professional learn ing activities from such entities 1946
meet the criteria established in subsection (3) for training 1947
linked to student learning or professional growth. 1948
(11)(10) For instructional personnel and administrative 1949
personnel who have been evaluated as less than effective, a 1950
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 79 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
district school board shall require participation in specific 1951
professional learning development programs as provided in 1952
subparagraph (5)(b)5. (4)(b)5. as part of the improvement 1953
prescription. 1954
(12)(11) The department shall disseminate to the school 1955
community proven model professional learning development 1956
programs that have demonstrated success in increasing rigorous 1957
and relevant content, increasing student achievement and 1958
engagement, meeting identified student needs, and providing 1959
effective mentorship activities to new teachers and training to 1960
teacher mentors. The methods of dissemination must include a 1961
web-based statewide performance -support system including a 1962
database of exemplary professional learning development 1963
activities, a listing of available professional learning 1964
development resources, training programs, and available 1965
technical assistance. Professional learning development 1966
resources must include sample course -at-a-glance and unit 1967
overview templates that school districts may use when developing 1968
curriculum. The templates must provide an organized structure 1969
for addressing the Florida Standards, grade -level expectations, 1970
evidence outcomes, and 21st century skills that build to 1971
students' mastery of the standards at each grade level. Each 1972
template must support teaching to greater intellectual depth and 1973
emphasize transfer and application of concepts, content, and 1974
skills. At a minimum, each template must: 1975
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 80 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(a) Provide course or year -long sequencing of concept -1976
based unit overviews based on the Florida Standards. 1977
(b) Describe the knowledge and vocabulary necessary for 1978
comprehension. 1979
(c) Promote the instructional shifts required wi thin the 1980
Florida Standards. 1981
(d) Illustrate the interdependence of grade -level 1982
expectations within and across content areas within a grade. 1983
(13)(12) The department shall require teachers in grades 1984
K-12 to participate in continuing education training pro vided by 1985
the Department of Children and Families on identifying and 1986
reporting child abuse and neglect. 1987
Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 1012.986, Florida 1988
Statutes, is amended to read: 1989
1012.986 William Cecil Golden Professional Learning 1990
Development Program for School Leaders. — 1991
(1) There is established the William Cecil Golden 1992
Professional Learning Development Program for School Leaders to 1993
provide high-quality standards and sustained support for 1994
educational leaders. For purposes of this section, the term 1995
"educational leader" means teacher leaders, assistant 1996
principals, principals, or school district leaders. The program 1997
shall consist of a collaborative network of school districts, 1998
state-approved educational leadership programs, regional 1999
consortia, charter management organizations, and state and 2000
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 81 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
national professional leadership organizations to respond to 2001
educational leadership needs throughout the state. The network 2002
shall support the human -resource learning development needs of 2003
educational leaders using the framework of leadership standards 2004
adopted by the State Board of Education. The goal of the network 2005
leadership program is to: 2006
(a) Provide resources to support and enhance the roles of 2007
educational leaders. 2008
(b) Maintain a clearinghouse and disse minate data-2009
supported information related to the continued enhancement of 2010
student achievement and learning, civic education, coaching and 2011
mentoring, mental health awareness, technology in education, 2012
distance learning, and school safety based on educational 2013
research and best practices. 2014
(c) Increase the quality and capacity of educational 2015
leadership learning development programs. 2016
(d) Support evidence -based leadership practices through 2017
dissemination and modeling at the preservice and inservice 2018
levels for educational leaders. 2019
(e) Support the professional growth of instructional 2020
personnel who provide reading instruction and interventions by 2021
training school administrators on classroom observation , 2022
instructional coaching, and teacher evaluation practices alig ned 2023
to evidence-based reading instruction and intervention 2024
strategies. 2025
CS/CS/HB 1537 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1537-02-c2
Page 82 of 82
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 28. The Division of Law Revision shall prepare a 2026
reviser's bill to replace references to the term "professional 2027
development" where it occurs within chapters 1000 through 101 3 2028
of the Florida Statutes with the term "professional learning." 2029
Section 29. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 2030