HB 1131 Summary

• Revises Florida Statutes section 1003.42 to expand character-development program requirements from elementary schools to kindergarten through grade 12.

• Character-development curriculum must be secular in nature and similar to programs like Character First, Character Counts, or The Leader in Me.

• Curriculum shall emphasize virtues including wisdom, pursuit of excellence, equality, responsibility, honesty, courage, patriotism, self-discipline, perseverance, duty, honor, charity, civility, and tolerance.

• Each district school board must develop or adopt a character-development curriculum for approval by the department, and staff must be informed of program requirements at the beginning of each school year.

• The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards and assess compliance with the program requirements, effective July 1, 2013.