The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Education Pre-K -12
BILL: SB 478
INTRODUCER: Senator Perry
SUBJECT: Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Program
DATE: March 3, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brick Bouck ED Favorable
2. AED
3. AP
I. Summary:
SB 478 converts the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program into a permanent
program administered by the Department of Education.
The bill has no impact on state revenues or expenditures. The program is contingent upon
legislative appropriation.
This bill takes effect upon becoming a law.
II. Present Situation:
The Legislature established the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program (pilot
program) in 2017 to assist certain school districts in implementing comprehensive music
education programs in kindergarten through grade 2, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.
1
For a school district to be eligible for participation in the pilot program, the district school
superintendent must certify to the Commissioner of Education (commissioner) that specified
elementary schools within the district have established a comprehensive music education
program that:
2
Includes all students enrolled at the school in kindergarten through grade 2;
Is staffed by certified music educators;
Provides music instruction for at least 30 consecutive minutes two days a week;
Complies with class size requirements under the law;
3
and
1
Chapter 2017-116, Laws of Fla.
2
Section 1003.481(2)(a)-(e), F.S.
3
The maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching core-curriculum courses in public school
classrooms for prekindergarten through grade 3 may not exceed 18 students. Section 1003.03(1)(a), F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 478 Page 2
Complies with the Department of Education’s standards for early childhood music education
programs for students in kindergarten through grade 2.
The commissioner must select school districts for participation in the pilot program, subject to
legislative appropriation, based on the school district’s proximity to the University of Florida and
needs-based criteria established by the State Board of Education. Selected school districts must
annually receive $150 per full-time equivalent student in kindergarten through grade 2 who is
enrolled in a comprehensive music education program.
4
The University of Florida’s College of Education is required to collaborate with Florida
International University’s School of Music to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program.
Upon completion, the results of the evaluation must be shared with the Florida Center for
Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching. The State Board of Education is authorized to adopt
rules to administer the pilot program.
5
The Legislature appropriated $400,000 for the pilot program in each of the fiscal years from
2020 through 2023.
6
For the 2021-2022 school year, 10 schools from the Alachua, Marion, and
Miami-Dade school districts were selected to participate in the program and served
approximately 2,000 students in kindergarten through second grade.
7
The pilot program is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2023.
8
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 478 converts the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program into a permanent
program. The bill shifts from the Commissioner of Education to the Department of Education the
responsibility for administering the program. The bill replaces the requirement for the program
administrator to select school districts to participate in the program with the requirement to
approve school districts to participate in the program.
The bill removes the responsibilities assigned to the University of Florida and Florida
International University and removes proximity to the University of Florida as a factor in
eligibility to participate in the program.
Transitioning the pilot to a permanent program may increase the number of school districts that
implement a comprehensive music education programs for students in kindergarten through
grade 2
The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
4
Section 1003.481(3)(a), F.S.
5
Section 1003.481(4) and (5), F.S.
6
Ch. 2020-111, s. 2, Specific Appropriation 114, Laws of Fla.; Ch. 2021-36, s. 2, Specific Appropriation 110, Laws of Fla.;
and Ch. 2022-156, s. 2, Specific Appropriation 104, Laws of Fla.
7
Email, Office of Senator Keith Perry (Feb. 27, 2023), with attachments.
8
Section 1003.481(6), F.S. BILL: SB 478 Page 3
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill has no impact on state revenues or expenditures. The program is contingent upon
legislative appropriation.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 1003.481 of the Florida Statutes. BILL: SB 478 Page 4
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.