Michael Ferreira gravitated toward Rep. Larry Lee’s story.

The fact that Lee failed the first grade and overcome obstacles to go on to college, the NFL, the insurance business and the Florida House intrigued him.

“I was not always the model student,” Lee, D-Port St. Lucie, recalled. “I never had any serious disciplinary problems, but I did have academic challenges.”

Lee asked students at Allapattah Flats K-8, including Michael, to participate in a program he created called Journey to Success. The goal: Help them overcome the barriers that trauma and poverty had placed in their paths.

Michael jumped at the chance. (more…)

When Rep. Larry Lee met several male students who were struggling with discipline and academics at Allapattah Flats K-8, he wanted to do more than make an appearance and give an inspirational address.

He wanted to create a program to help students at the St. Lucie County public school overcome the barriers that trauma and poverty had placed in their path.

Lee, D-Port St. Lucie, knew a thing or two about overcoming barriers. He failed first grade due to bullying and lack of any Pre-K education. His father, a citrus contractor, was not educated because he had to drop out after the Great Depression to help save the family farm. But Lee went to college, then on to the NFL. He taught in public schools, started his own business, and become the only Democratic member elected to his county’s Republican-dominated legislative delegation.

“I was fortunate to have both of my parents,” said Lee. “Many of these young men don’t have a good background that they are coming from. Some of them are coming from broken homes. I want to show them hope.” (more…)

The Florida House Education Committee revised a testing bill today to include an amendment that would help charter and virtual schools.

Rep. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah, filed a 76-page amendment to HB 773, adding certain aspects of several education bills.

The amendment includes a portion HB 7101 by Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs that would allow high-performing charters to replicate more than once per year if they open in an area served by a persistently low-performing school.

It also includes provisions from HB 833, by Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, allowing all students to have access to online courses.

Sullivan’s bill -- and the companion bill by Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala -- would give students in second through fifth grade who did not attend public school the ability to enroll in part-time virtual instruction.

Diaz also added terminology from HB 1111, which would give charter schools more freedom to train teachers and get them certified. The bill would create a new mentorship-based path to a Florida teaching certificate, and allow charter schools and charter school management companies to create their own teacher mentorship programs.

Rep. Larry Lee, D-Port St. Lucie, joined colleagues from both parties who approved the revised bill.

"I am going to be supporting this bill," he said. "It needs a little bit of work. I am of the opinion that let's not let perfect get in the way of good." 

After hearing from parents, a Florida House panel approved private school choice legislation unanimously.

With a few tweaks made this morning, HB 15 would expand the pool of children who qualify for Gardiner scholarships, which provide education savings accounts for children with special needs.

The bill, now ready for a vote on the House floor, would expand eligibility for the program to include children who are deaf or visually impaired, as well as those with rare diseases or traumatic brain injuries.

The bill would prevent double-billing for services families have already paid for using Medicaid or health insurance. It would also increase the per-student funding amount for Florida's tax credit scholarship program. Step Up For Students, which publishes this blog, helps administer both scholarship programs.

“This bill specifically helps our most vulnerable students,” bill sponsor Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, told the House Education Committee. "Those that find themselves in financial obstacles and also physical obstacles. This bill addresses both of those to set them up for success in the future."

The provisions dealing with Gardiner scholarships were removed last week, but Sullivan put them back in. (more…)