Like any students in Florida’s education system, Florida lawmakers received their own set of grades for their commitment to education issues during the 2016 legislative session.
On Monday, the Jeb Bush-backed Foundation for Florida’s Future unveiled its annual Education Report Card, which grades both House and Senate members on an A-F scale for their commitment to improving education and expanding opportunities for students in the Sunshine State.
Twenty lawmakers made the cut for this year's report including a variety of legislators from the house and senate.
Senate president Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, placed at the top of the “Honor Roll” in the Senate, alongside four other senators, only one of whom (Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee), was a Democrat.
The House Honor Roll list was longer than the Senate’s, led by House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach. The House list was composed primarily of Republicans, with only two Democrats -- Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel-Vasalida, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, making the cut in that chamber.
“This session was truly about advocacy in action,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Patricia Levesque. “It showed that every voice matters – every story matters. And with the help of passionate legislative champions like those highlighted in the Report Card, we can continue to improve education for every Florida child.”
Levesque applauded lawmakers who prioritized education during the 60-day session, noting their advocacy has made a difference in the future of Florida’s children.
“Because of their actions the parents of students with disabilities now have more options in preparing their children for success, all students will have greater access to our wealth of excellent public schools, and the groundwork is laid for a future in which every child can receive a personalized education,” she explained. “It was an honor to work with so many relentless advocates for children and parents this year, and we are grateful for their bold leadership.”
Lawmakers’ grades were primarily based on their efforts to improve education in Florida. The Foundation measured reforms based on seven core principles: digital learning, effective teachers and leaders, outcome-based funding, rigorous academic standards, school choice and measuring what matters.
Grades are based on members’ voting records and “demonstrations of leadership.”
State legislators passed a variety of education bills during this year’s session, including a sweeping school choice bill which will allow parents to transfer their children to any public school in the state as long as there is room at the school.
View the full report card and see which legislators made the cut here.
