Florida has 74 school districts that service 4,319 K-12 schools. There were 2,791,687 students enrolled in Florida public schools during the 2020-2021 school year. About 59% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Florida has no policies directly addressing school climate. However, their other policies that address aspects of school climate include bullying prevention, dropout prevention, suicide prevention and awareness, parental involvement, emergency drills, and anti-discrimination. There is a policy regarding media literacy called FINDS (Florida’s Library Media Research Model) that educates students on technology competencies. There is also a policy addressing disability history and awareness instruction.
Safety
There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Florida. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Florida Statutes 1006.147 Bullying and harassment prohibited.
Defines the terms bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment as well as behaviors associated with these actions.
Florida asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated. This policy also covers conduct that occurs off school property.
- Florida Statutes 1006.147 Bullying and harassment prohibited.
- Florida Statutes 1006.13 – Policy of zero tolerance for crime and victimization.
Florida Statutes 1006.135 Hazing is prohibited at schools with any grades 6-12.
Each school district shall adopt in rule a policy that prohibits hazing and establishes consequences for a student who commits an act of hazing. The policy will include a definition of what hazing is as well.
Who does this protect? Students, Teachers
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Florida Statutes 1006.07 District school board duties relating to student discipline and school safety.
- Formulate and prescribe policies and procedures, in consultation with the appropriate public safety agencies, for emergency drills and actual emergencies. This includes preparation for fires, natural disasters, active shooter and hostage situations, and bomb threats.
- Drills for active shooter and hostage situations shall be conducted by developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate procedures at least as often as other emergency drills.
Florida Statutes 1006.12 – Safe-school officers at each public school.
Defines school resource officer, school safety officer, school guardian, and school security guard. It states what their powers and responsibilities are, and what is required of them to be in the position they are in. For example;
- School resource officers will complete mental health crisis intervention training to address situations involving students with emotional disturbance or mental illness.
- Out of all the stated positions, school safety officers are the only ones who can carry weapons when performing their duties.
Florida Statutes 790.115 – Possessing or Discharging Weapons or Firearms at a School-Sponsored Event or on School Property Prohibited; Penalties; Exceptions.
A person shall not possess any firearm, electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapons, including a razor blade or box cutter, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, at a school-sponsored event, or on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlvi/chapter-790/section-790-115/
Florida Statutes 1006.1493 – Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool.
The FSSAT must be the primary physical site security assessment tool as revised and required by the Office of Safe Schools which is used by school officials at each school district and public school site in the state in conducting security assessments.
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Teaching/Learning
Florida provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.
- Florida Statutes 1003.571 – Instruction for exceptional students who have a disability.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-571/
- Florida Statutes 1003.576 – Individual education plans for exceptional students.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-576/
- Florida Statutes 1003.57 – Exceptional students instruction.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-57/
- Florida Statutes 1003.5716 – Transition to postsecondary education and career opportunities.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-5716/
Florida Statutes 1003.53 Dropout prevention and academic intervention.
Dropout prevention and academic intervention programs may differ from traditional educational programs and schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy, curriculum, or setting and shall employ alternative teaching methodologies, curricula, learning activities, and diagnostic and assessment procedures to meet the needs, interests, abilities, and talents of eligible students.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-53/
Florida Statutes 1003.56 – English language instruction for limited English proficient students.
Instruction in the English language shall be provided to limited English proficient students. Such instruction shall be designed to develop the student’s mastery of the four language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as rapidly as possible.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1003/part-v/section-1003-56/
Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
Florida Statutes 1000.05 – Discrimination against students and employees in the Florida K-20 public education system prohibited; equality of access required.
Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, religion, or marital status against a student or an employee in the state system of public K-20 education is prohibited.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2022/title-xlviii/chapter-1000/part-i/section-1000-05/
Who does this protect? Students and Staff of all races, ethnicities, ability status, etc.
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Institutional Environments
Florida Statutes 1000.03. Function, mission, and goals of the Florida K-12 education system.
One of this system’s priorities is increasing family and community involvement in education for the success of the students
Florida Statutes 1001.42 Powers and duties of the district school board.
The district school board will
- Adopt rules to strengthen family involvement and empowerment. The rules shall be developed in collaboration with administrative personnel, parents, teachers, and community partners.
- Develop and disseminate a parent guide to successful student achievement which addresses what parents need to know about their child’s educational progress and how they can help their child to succeed in school.
Florida Statutes 1002.23 Family and School Partnership for Student Achievement Act.
Each district school board shall adopt rules that strengthen family involvement and family empowerment. The rules shall be developed in collaboration with parents, school administrators, teachers, and community partners addressing topics like opportunities for parental involvement in the development, implementation, and evaluation of family involvement programs.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2020/title-xlviii/chapter-1002/part-ii/section-1002-23/
Who does this protect? Students, Parents
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Florida Statutes 1006.07 District school board duties relating to student discipline and school safety.
- Formulate and prescribe policies and procedures, in consultation with the appropriate public safety agencies, for emergency drills and actual emergencies. This includes preparation for fires, natural disasters, active shooter and hostage situations, and bomb threats.
- Drills for active shooter and hostage situations shall be conducted by developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate procedures at least as often as other emergency drills.
Florida Statutes 1006.12 – Safe-school officers at each public school.
Defines school resource officer, school safety officer, school guardian, and school security guard. It states what their powers and responsibilities are, and what is required of them to be in the position they are in. For example;
- School resource officers will complete mental health crisis intervention training to address situations involving students with emotional disturbance or mental illness.
- Out of all the stated positions, school safety officers are the only ones who can carry weapons when performing their duties.
Florida Statutes 790.115 – Possessing or Discharging Weapons or Firearms at a School-Sponsored Event or on School Property Prohibited; Penalties; Exceptions.
A person shall not possess any firearm, electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapons, including a razor blade or box cutter, except as authorized in support of school-sanctioned activities, at a school-sponsored event, or on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop.
https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2020/title-xlvi/chapter-790/section-790-115/
Florida Statutes 1006.1493 – Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool.
The FSSAT must be the primary physical site security assessment tool as revised and required by the Office of Safe Schools which is used by school officials at each school district and public school site in the state in conducting security assessments.
Who does this protect? Students, staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Florida. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School
There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Florida. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School