TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers fought it on the house floor this week on a bill that could lead to significant funding cuts in education. The bill has parents, students and advocates about the possibility of a senior placement program being a hit.
Lawmakers will focus on the state’s budget this week, with the budget bill proposing a 50% reduction in additional funding for pre-courses such as the AP and IB programs.
But supporters opposed the move, saying Florida students could ultimately lose.
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House Bill 5101 faces a setback from state Capitol students, teachers and Democrats. Their concerns center on education funding for pre-placement programs.
“In Polk County, where I grew up, the school came from six families of those who paid our AP classes and were paid by our teachers and fathers who worked at Publix, so I don’t know we can provide them.”
Driskell spoke against the 50% cut, saying lawmakers should suspend future funds and reconsider them.
“These courses allowed me to realize my personal dream of attending Harvard University and coming from Little Humble Polk County Public Schools in my first year, then escaping some of those classes,” Driskel said.
But Republicans behind the efforts say the bill has not cut or refunded these important programs. State Senator Jenna – Murika (R-Fort Meyers) encourages students who care about the issue to continue to defend themselves in front of local school boards.
“It’s the school board that decides where these funds go and whether those funds are chasing you, students, to fund these programs,” Mulicka said.
The bill’s sponsor added that data from the past few years is not consistent with the actual costs of these classes, and that the bill allows money to follow students.
Despite the pushback, the bill got the green light after more than five hours of budget debate on Wednesday.
