Bill Summary: CS for CS for SB 948 - Education

• Establishes information technology architecture standards for digital classrooms by December 1, 2015, covering device recommendations, security, connectivity, and browser requirements; requires Agency for State Technology to assess school district compliance annually.

• Redesignates "Florida College System" as "Florida Community College System" throughout statute and clarifies that these institutions may offer upper-level instruction and baccalaureate degrees but cannot offer Bachelor of Arts degrees; restricts upper-level enrollment growth.

• Creates performance-based funding incentive models for both Florida Community College System institutions and State University System, with funding allocations based on metrics like graduation rates, retention, job placement, and postgraduation outcomes.

• Establishes the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to teachers who scored at or above the 80th percentile on SAT/ACT and maintain "highly effective" evaluation status.

• Creates the Florida Apprenticeship Grant Program to provide competitive grants to career centers and Florida College System institutions for establishing or expanding apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields.

• Revises FHSAA governance structure, student eligibility requirements for extracurricular activities, and establishes procedures for neutral third-party resolution of eligibility disputes; permits multiple athletic association memberships.