Foundation for Florida’s Future Announces 2024 Legislative Goals

Florida policymakers will begin the 2024 legislative session tomorrow, kicking off 60 days of work to tackle the state’s biggest challenges. 

2023 was a banner year for education in Florida. Policymakers created the largest school choice program in the country; prioritized math policy; established a robust teacher apprenticeship program; and expanded existing literacy policies, including banning three-cueing. This is the harmful instructional practice that teaches students to guess words rather than decoding them with the science-based principles of phonics. 

As strong as 2023 was, policymakers cannot take their foot off the gas this session. The Foundation for Florida’s Future is committed to annual policy progress that supports teachers, empowers families and prioritizes student success. This session, we’ll work with policymakers to:

• Protect Student Success: Now is not the time to roll back longstanding policies that have enabled Florida students to perform consistently near the top in nationwide student achievement. The Foundation is committed to holding the line on high expectations for students and school systems. 
• Expand Opportunity: Florida is the #1 state in the nation for educational freedom, but there’s more we can do to further expand this freedom for students and families, including through learning with virtual providers. As Florida families continue to seek options outside their zoned public school, the Foundation is committed to knocking down barriers to entry, maximizing innovation and ensuring transparency.
• Prepare the Future Workforce: To ensure Florida sustains long-term economic success, K-12 students need ample and meaningful career pathways and learning experiences before they embark on their postsecondary lives. The Foundation will continue to pursue opportunities with policymakers that establish and expand robust college and career pathways for all students.
• Address Youth Mental Health Challenges: Research continues to document the harmful effects that overexposure to social media and ready access to cell phones during the school day have on student mental health and academic performance. Relatedly, the onset of generative artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT are already adding new wrinkles to the education landscape. Policymakers must address these challenges head-on this session.

Each year, states look to Florida as a guiding light for student-centered policies. I’m confident 2024 will be no different. Let’s remember that children get only one chance for a quality education. Every year that legislative action is delayed on important policy issues is another class of students who don’t get to benefit. 

See our full list of policy priorities here.