Foundation for Florida's Future Honors 17 Lawmakers for Education Reform

The Foundation for Floridas Future handed top grades to 17 state legislators for "going above and beyond" in education reform.

Making the Foundations 2012 bipartisan Honor Roll are 10 state senators and seven state representatives.

In the Senate: JD Alexander, Lizbeth Benacquisto, Anitere Flores, Don Gaetz, Andy Gardiner, Bill Montford, Jeremy Ring, David Simmons, Gary Siplin and John Thrasher.

In the House, Michael Bileca, Jeff Brandes, Marti Coley, Richard Corcoran, Erik Fresen, Patrick Julien and Kelli Stargel.

These lawmakers put students first in 2012, said former Gov. Jeb Bush, chairman of the Foundation for Floridas Future. Building on Floridas foundation of transformational policies, the Legislature launched new student-centered reforms.

"These bills empower more parents to choose the best school to meet their childrens needs, expand students access to customized education and begin a revolutionary shift in our state toward funding education based on student learning instead of days on a calendar.

The Foundation measures reforms based on seven core principles: rigorous academic standards, measurement of proficiency and progress, data-driven accountability, effective teachers and leaders, outcome-based funding, school choice and digital learning. Report Card grades were assigned based on scores of 0-100, established through each lawmakers voting record along with demonstrated leadership.

See the report card here.