Alachua County Public Schools alerted families in a press release Friday about proposed state legislation that could significantly reduce funding for advanced academic and career readiness programs.
House Bill 5101 and Senate Bill 2510 propose changes that would result in a loss of at least $3.5 million for ACPS, according to the press release.
These funds currently support students who pass Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge and career certification exams, as well as those who earn an “A” in academic dual-enrollment courses.
Additionally, the funds support program equipment, certification exam fees, field trips and software, according to the press release.
The funding is only awarded if students pass, so it “doesn't cost the state anything if they don't pass,” ACPS Spokesperson Jackie Johnson wrote in the press release.
Statewide, the proposed legislation aims to revise the Florida Education Finance Program, which determines funding for K-12 education.
The bills suggest reducing the additional funding provided for advanced academic and career programs by 50%, potentially decreasing allocations by approximately $290 million under the House proposal and $214 million under the Senate version, as previously reported by the Florida Policy Institute.
Proponents of the bills argue the funding “is not making a difference,” according to the press release, citing low pass rates in some districts.
However, ACPS reports high success rates: 80% for IB exams, 78% for Cambridge, 69% for AP and 71% for career certifications, according to the press release.
Last year, about 5,000 students in the district's middle and high school Career and Technical Education programs earned nearly 6,000 career certifications, and students passed nearly 7,500 AP, IB and Cambridge exams.
Other districts across Florida expressed similar concerns about the legislation. Duval County Public Schools estimates an $8 million loss, which could lead to increased costs for families, limited course options and fewer qualified teachers, according to Action News Jax.
Marion County Public Schools passed a resolution Wednesday urging lawmakers to protect funding for the programs, highlighting a potential $2.5 million loss.
ACPS encouraged community members in the press release to contact local legislators to express their concerns about the potential impact of the proposed bills.
Contact Sara-James Ranta at sranta@alligator.org. Follow her on X @sarajamesranta.
Sara-James Ranta is a third-year journalism major, minoring in sociology of social justice and policy. Previously, she served as a general assignment reporter for The Alligator's university desk.
