SB 244 – K-12 Teachers (Florida, 2023)

• Creates a "Teachers' Bill of Rights" (Chapter 1015, F.S.) establishing teachers' rights to control and discipline their classrooms, direct classroom instruction, be free from discrimination, access liability coverage, and request a special magistrate if directed by a school district to violate state law or board rules

• Establishes the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, allowing individuals with an associate degree and a 3.0 GPA to enter teaching through a 2-year mentorship under a highly effective teacher, with apprenticeship classrooms permitted to exceed class size limits by up to 1.5 times; mentor teachers may receive a bonus subject to appropriation

• Creates the Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship Program to fund tuition, fees, and book stipends for certified high school teachers to earn graduate degrees enabling them to teach dual enrollment courses on school campuses, with recipients required to remain as classroom teachers for at least 3 years after degree completion or repay the scholarship

• Establishes the Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program, providing a one-time sign-on bonus (subject to appropriation) to retired military veterans and first responders who become full-time classroom teachers, with an additional bonus available for teaching in critical shortage areas; also waives certification and examination fees for retired first responders

• Authorizes the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General to investigate suspected violations of student, parent, or teacher rights, and expands tuition and fee waivers at state universities to include state-approved teacher preparation programs