SB 532 Summary: Private Schools

• Private schools participating in state scholarship programs must annually submit graduation rates, standardized assessment results, and budget information to the Department of Education.

• Scholarship students must participate in statewide standardized assessments under section 1008.22, with exemptions for students with disabilities when standardized testing is deemed inappropriate by their physician, psychologist, or IEP team.

• Private schools accepting scholarship students must comply with the State Requirements for Educational Facilities of the Florida Building Code, and local governments cannot impose more stringent building requirements or site restrictions than state standards.

• Teachers at participating private schools must hold baccalaureate or higher degrees (removing prior requirements for 3 years teaching experience or special skills), and schools must provide at least 100 minutes of supervised free-play recess weekly for kindergarten through grade 5 students.

• Private schools participating in scholarship programs must be graded according to state standards and assessed on at least 95 percent of eligible students, with the Department of Education collaborating with these schools to develop annual school report cards.