Subcommittee backs teacher mentoring program with stipends, alignment amendment
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Summary
The Pre K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee favorably reported CS for SB 182, establishing a Department of Education teacher training and mentoring program with mentors required to have at least three years' experience, a highly effective rating and eligible for a stipend of up to $3,000; a late-filed delete-all amendment aligning the bill with the House was adopted.
The Pre K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted to report CS for SB 182 favorably after sponsor Senator Jones explained the measure and the committee adopted a late-filed delete-all amendment to align the Senate language with the House version.
"The purpose of this program is to increase the effectiveness and implementation of best practices of classroom teachers and improve student achievement, classroom management, and excellence in the state's public and charter schools," Senator Jones said when introducing the bill. He said mentors must have at least three years of teaching experience, earn a "highly effective" rating on their most recent evaluation and that mentors would "receive a stipend of up to $3,000." The sponsor also said funds from the educational enrichment allocation may be used when available.
The adopted amendment (barcode 75636 O) sets the mentoring term to one grading period, places caps on the number of mentees a mentor may take on, and makes technical clarifications about the use of enrichment funds to match the House companion measure. Senator Jones said the change was to put the Senate bill "in the same lining as the House bill." The amendment was adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Committee members asked logistical questions about how mentoring would be scheduled and assigned. Senator Masulo asked how mentors' timing would work with their classroom duties; Senator Jones replied principals would decide mentor assignments using existing planning periods or similar schedules to avoid interference with a mentor's workload and said mentoring would generally occur within the same school. Senator Osgood placed the bill in context of recent changes allowing districts more flexibility with Title I funds to incentivize high-performing teachers to work in lower-performing schools and noted the stipend as an example of those incentives.
Public testimony included a brief appearance by Kyler Nixon, identified as a seven-year-old from Jacksonville, who told the committee, "I want you to vote yes on Senate Bill 182 because it is important to help teachers so all students can get good grades and learn." A parent and advocate representing the Equal Ground Action Fund also spoke in support and noted Kyler attends River City Science Academy. Karen Mazzullo of the Florida Parent Teacher Association waived in support.
Chair Burgess called the roll and the committee reported CS for SB 182 favorably. Senator Jones said the program would take effect July 1. The committee took time to thank staff and visiting students before adjourning.
The committee action forwards CS for SB 182 for further consideration with the amendment adopted and the effective date specified by the sponsor.
