FL S1718

Creates the Parent Empowerment Act (s. 1003.07) allowing parents of students in lowest-performing schools to petition their school district to implement a specific school turnaround option, which must be considered if signed by a majority of eligible parents' signatures.

Requires school districts to annually notify parents when their child is assigned to an out-of-field teacher or a teacher with two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations, two unsatisfactory ratings within 3 years, or three consecutive needs improvement ratings, and inform parents that virtual instruction from effective/highly effective teachers is available.

Requires school districts to provide parents with performance evaluations for their child's classroom teachers upon request and prohibits consecutive assignment of students to classroom teachers receiving needs improvement or unsatisfactory ratings in the same subject area.

Requires each school district to adopt assistance plans for out-of-field teachers that include professional development priority and participation in certification or staff development programs to gain required competencies.

Prohibits charter school operators from being foreign national principals, having non-citizen officers or partners not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or being registered in foreign countries; requires charter schools to comply with teacher notification and assignment statutes.