HB7091/SB1076 PASSED: Florida High School Students Now Have High School Graduation Options

“I want to give a special thanks to Representative Smith for Co-Sponsoring this common sense educational bill!”

One of the best educational  legislative bills (HB 7091 / SB 1076) in many years has just passed on a vote of ‘116’ YAYS to ‘0’ NAYS, by the Florida House & Senate and is headed to the Governor’s office for signature.

This bill was Co-Sponsored by Representative Jimmie T. Smith who has been very instrumental in the development of this bill.  This bill brings some balanced and relevant approaches to high school graduation requirement options and pathways.

The bill changes standard high school diploma requirements, and creates two designations that students can earn through course choices: Scholar and Merit Designations. Further HB 7091 makes the high school experience and curriculum more relevant to our students which will result in higher levels of engagement and lower dropout rates. The bill places appropriate emphasis on digital literacy and technological competence in our students’ education. I am excited that it also expands high school student opportunities to earn industry certifications in various fields in which local school boards and private industry can work with The Florida Department of Education to develop high school courses.

Representative  Joe Saunders (D) said it well when he expressed how impressive it was to see Legislators put aside politics to develop an educational bill that worked to be student focused.

I want to give a special thanks our Representative Smith for his pushing for common sense high school and career pathways for our students and for his work and vote on this important bill.   I want to also give special thanks to Educational Chairperson Representative Marlene O’Toole and Educational Sub-Committee Chairperson Representative  Janet H. Adkins who also worked so hard to see this bill became law.

I encourage each of you to visit the links on their names and email these Representatives and thank them for the great work they did for our students.

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