FL S1284

Changes the method for calculating district cost differential in the Florida Education Finance Program beginning in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, replacing the price level index with a wage level index based on 3-year average county and occupational-level wage data.

Requires the Department of Education to develop and calculate the wage level index by January 1, 2020, consulting with school districts, industry representatives, the Department of Economic Opportunity, and econometric modeling experts.

Maintains the existing calculation formula of multiplying the index by 0.008 and adding 0.200 to determine each district's cost differential.

Removes Department of Education employees' access to tax return information previously needed for price level index calculations under section 213.053, Florida Statutes.

Takes effect July 1, 2019, with conforming amendments to education statutes referencing the district cost differential in virtual school, prekindergarten, and juvenile justice education programs.