Rick Scott Signs First Bill into Law--SB 736 Teacher Performance Pay Reform

On Thursday morning, at a school in Jacksonville, Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 736, legislation that reforms teacher performance pay, into law. A similar measure, SB 6, passed the Legislature in 2010 but was vetoed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist.

I am proud that the first bill I sign is this important legislation that will give Florida the best educated work force to compete in the 21st century economy, Scott said. We must recruit and retain the best people to make sure every classroom in Florida has a highly effective teacher.

The sponsors of the bill, Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, cheered the news.

The passage of Senate Bill 736, The Student Success Act, would not have been a success without the months of collaborative committee work and public input from teachers, administrators and parents, said Wise. Im thankful for the cooperation from the many groups and individuals who contributed to the discussion on instructional quality, along with the dedicated committee members. Our teachers are incredibly influential and important to the success of our children and our future as a state.I believe this bill will attract top-quality educators to Florida and foster a student-centered, world-class education system.

This is a momentous occasion for our states education system, insisted Fresen. Excellent teachers are the driving force behind student success and this bill provides for a system that recognizes those highly effective educators and rewards them appropriately.