MIAMI – Florida Sen. Rosalind Osgood, formerly of The School Board of Broward County, said she is part of the bipartisan support behind bills 7000, 7002, and 7004 to deregulate public education.
The Florida Senate Fiscal Policy Committee recently voted unanimously in favor of the bills. Osgood said this will help students with special needs who are hurt by “one-size-fits-all” policies.
“A lot of these deregulations will help our school districts take control of those things and really put plans in place to help students,” Osgood said.
- SB 7000 is also known as the Deregulation of Public Schools/Instructional, Administrative, and Support Personnel Bill.
- SB 7002 is also known as the Deregulation of Public Schools/School District Finance and Budgets, Facilities, and Administration and Oversight.
- SB 7004 is also known as the Deregulation of Public Schools/Assessment and Accountability, Instruction, and Education Choice.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush criticized SB 7004 for removing a requirement that requires third-grade students to pass an English-language arts test to advance to fourth grade.
Osgood said improvements in progress monitoring are the solution.
“You really want to measure students all throughout the year, so that teachers can adequately put in place the supports that they need,” Osgood said.
The Florida State Legislature is set to convene on Jan. 9 and adjourn on March 8. The Republican legislators serving in this session took office after the 2022 elections and won a 28-12 majority in the Florida State Senate and an 85-35 majority in the Florida State House.
More on This Week In South Florida
Interview with Florida Rep. Ashley Gantt
Interview with Florida Rep. Tom Fabricio
Interview with Florida Rep. Rosalind Osgood
Interview with Don Price
Watch the Dec. 17, 2023 episode of This Week In South Florida