HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 1361 Education
SPONSOR(S): Education & Employment Committee, Temple and others
TIED BILLS: None. IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 7038
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Education Quality Subcommittee 18 Y, 0 N Dixon Sanchez
2) PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee 12 Y, 0 N Bailey Potvin
3) Education & Employment Committee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Dixon Hassell
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
To facilitate early intervention, the bill expands the eligibility for the New Worlds Scholarship to include
students enrolled in a Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, who exhibit substantial deficiencies in early
literacy or math skills based upon the results of the most recent progress monitoring assessment. The bill
requires school districts and VPK program providers to notify parents of eligible students of the process to
request and receive a scholarship, when providing results from the administration of each progress monitoring
assessment. In addition, the bill expands the credentials for eligible part-time tutors and requires the
Department of Education to release student scholarship funds to the program administrator within 45 days of
eligibility determination.
To increase program efficiencies, the bill repeals individualized reimbursements and requires parents, of
scholarship eligible students, to utilize the administrator’s system to make direct purchases of qualifying
program expenditures.
The bill designates the University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning as the administrator for the New
Worlds Reading Initiative.
The bill renames the “micro-credential program” to the “New Worlds micro-credential program.”
The bill expands existing requirements to provide results from the first two administrations of the progress
monitoring to a student’s teacher and parents, by also requiring results be delivered to prekindergarten student
instructors.
The bill codifies the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida in law and establishes duties for
the center.
To support school districts and schools in improving student achievement in reading and mathematics, the bill
establishes a tutoring program to be administered by an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization.
The tutoring program must be provided to students in kindergarten through grade 5 who have a substantial
deficiency in reading or mathematics. The bill establishes a grant program that provides stipends for in-person
tutoring during the school day, before or after school, or during a summer program.
The bill establishes a grant program to expand the use of artificial intelligence in order to improve student
outcomes and reduce teacher workload. Grants funds may be used for subscription fees and professional
learning to support and accelerate learning for students in grades 6 through 12.
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact. See Fiscal Analysis.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2024.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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DATE: 1/23/2024
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
New Worlds Reading Initiative (NWRI)
In 2021, the Florida Legislature created the New Worlds Reading Initiative (NWRI or initiative), Florida’s
first statewide book distribution program. The purpose of the NWRI is to instill a love of reading by
providing high-quality, free books to students in prekindergarten through grade 5 who are reading
below grade level and to improve the literacy skills of students in prekindergarten through grade 12. 1
This initiative, established under the Department of Education (DOE), consists of: 2
The program providing high quality, free books to students;
New Worlds Scholarship Program;3
The New Worlds Scholar program,4 which rewards high school students who instill a love of
reading and improve the literacy skills of students in kindergarten through grade 3; and
The micro-credential program,5 which emphasizes strong core instruction and a tiered model
of reading interventions for struggling readers.
To facilitate the NWRI initiative, the DOE designated the University of Florida (UF) Lastinger Center as
the administrator,6 also serving as the nonprofit scholarship-funding organization (SFO).7 Among other
responsibilities, the administrator is responsible for: 8
Developing, in consultation with the Just Read, Florida! Office, a selection of high-quality
books encompassing diverse subjects and genres for each grade level to be mailed to
students in the initiative and an online repository of digital science of reading materials and
science of reading instructional resources that is accessible to public school teachers,
school leaders, parents, and educator preparation programs and associated faculty.
Distributing books at no cost to students either directly or through an agreement with a book
distribution company.
Assisting with local implementation of the initiative by providing marketing materials to
school districts and any partnering nonprofit organizations to assist with public awareness
campaigns and other activities designed to increase family engagement and instill a love of
reading in students.
Maintaining a clearinghouse for information on national, state, and local nonprofit
organizations that support efforts to improve literacy and provide books to children.
Developing, for parents of students in the initiative, resources and training materials that
engage families in reading and support the reading achievement of their students.
Providing professional development and resources to teachers that correlate with the books
provided through the initiative.
Developing and administering an early literacy micro-credential program for teachers.
Submitting to the DOE an annual financial report that includes, at a minimum, the amount of
eligible contributions received by the administrator; the amount spent on each activity,
including administrative expenses; and the number of students and households served
under the initiative.
1 Section 1003.485(2), F.S.
2 Section 1003.485(2)(a)-(d), F.S.
3 See section 1002.411, F.S.; The New Worlds Scholarship program consists of scholarship accounts that are established to provide
educational options for students.
4 See section 1008.365(8), F.S.
5 See section 1008.365, F.S.
6 Rule 6A-6.0532, F.A.C.; see also s. 1003.485(1)(a), F.S. Administrator means a state university registered with the department and
designated to administer the initiative by implementing the NWRI and to receive funding as provided in s. 1003.485, F.S.
7 See ss. 1002.394(11) and 1002.395(6) and (15), F.S.
8 Section 1003.485(4), F.S.
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Maintaining separate accounts for operating funds and funds for the purchase and delivery
of books.
Expending eligible contributions received only for the purchase and delivery of books and to
implement the requirements for NWRI, as well as for administrative expenses not to exceed
two percent of total eligible contributions.
Upon receipt of a contribution, providing the taxpayer that made the contribution with a
certificate of contribution.
The DOE, in addition to designating a state university to administer the initiative, must also publish
information about the initiative and tax credits 9 available for the NWRI10 on its website,11 including the
process for a taxpayer to select the administrator as the recipient of funding through a tax credit. 12
Beginning September 30, 2022, and annually thereafter, the DOE must also report on its website the
number of students participating in the initiative in each school district and the academic achievement
and learning gains, as applicable, of participating students based on data provided by school districts
as well as the administrator’s annual financial report. The DOE is required to establish a date by which
each school district must annually provide the data necessary to complete the report. 13
In the 2022-2023 school year, NWRI program served a total of 199,765 K-5 students in approximately
148,707 households statewide. Over 3.7 million books have been shipped to students since the
inception of the program in October 2021.14 Students enrolled in the program demonstrated significant
gains, of up to 55 percent growth rates in reading achievement during the 2022-2023 school year.15
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts
In 2018, the Florida Legislature established Reading Scholarship Accounts to provide educational
options for public school students in grades 3 through 5 who struggle with reading. 16 In 2022, the
program was renamed the New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts Program and the Florida
Legislature expanded eligibility for the scholarship to include public school students in grades
kindergarten through 5 who have a substantial reading deficiency. 17 In 2023 the program was renamed
the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program and was expanded to include public school students in
grades kindergarten through 5 who have a substantial math deficiency. 18
The New Worlds Scholarship Accounts are contingent upon available funds, and on a first-come, first-
served basis. Each student who is enrolled in a Florida public school in kindergarten through grade 5 is
eligible for a scholarship account if the student: 19
Has a substantial reading deficiency or exhibits characteristics of dyslexia 20 or scored below a
Level 3 on the statewide, standardized English Language Arts (ELA) assessment in the prior
school year. An eligible student who is classified as an English Language Learner and is
9 See section 1002.395, F.S. and rule 6A-6.0960, F.A.C. The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning is a registered
Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) and accepts tax credit contributions to supp ort the New Worlds Reading Initiative.
10 See section 1003.485(5), F.S. New Worlds Reading Initiative Tax Credits; Applications; Transfers and Limits.
11 Florida Department of Education, Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-
programs/ftc/ (last visited Dec. 20, 2023) and Florida Department of Education, New Worlds Scholarship Accounts,
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/reading/ (last visited Jan. 3, 2024).
12 Section 1003.485(3)(a) and (b), F.S.
13 Section 1003.485(3)(c), F.S.
14 UF Lastinger Center for Learning, NWRI 2022-2023 Annual Enrollment Report, at 5 and 11, available at New Worlds Reading
2022-2023 Annual Enrollment Report_FINAL 9.29.23 (fldoe.org).
15 Id. at 5.
16 Ch. 2018-6, L.O.F.
17 Ch. 2022-154, L.O.F.
18 Ch. 2023-108, L.O.F.
19 Section 1002.411(1)-(2), F.S.
20 See s. 1008.25(5)(a), F.S.; see also Rule 6A-6.053(10)(a), F.A.C., specifying criteria for the determination that a student has a
substantial deficiency in reading, including scoring the lowest level or benchmark on any assessment approved by the school district,
scoring the lowest achievement level during a progress monitoring assessment approved by the school district, or demonstrating
minimum skill levels in one or more areas of phonological awareness; phonics; vocabulary, including oral language skills; reading
fluency; and reading comprehension.
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enrolled in a program or receiving services that are specifically designed to meet the
instructional needs of English Language Learner students shall receive priority.
Has a substantial deficiency in mathematics or characteristics of dyscalculia 21 or scored below a
Level 3 on the statewide, standardized Mathematics assessment in the prior school year.
By September 30, school districts are required to notify the parent of each eligible student about the
process to request and receive a scholarship, subject to available funds.22 To receive a scholarship
account, parents of eligible students must:23
submit an application to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization by the deadline
established by the organization; and
submit eligible expenses to the eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization for
reimbursement of qualifying expenditures.
Qualifying expenditures may include:24
instructional material;
curriculum;
tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services provided by a person who holds a valid Florida
educator’s certificate,25 a person who holds a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject
area, a person who holds an adjunct teaching certificate, 26 or a person who has demonstrated a
mastery of subject area knowledge;27
fees for summer education programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or mathematics
skills;
fees for after-school educational programs designed to improve reading, literacy, or
mathematics skills.
The amount of the New Worlds scholarship for an eligible student is specified in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA)28 and for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the amount specified was $500 for each
eligible student.29
The table below displays the history for enrollment figures for students who participated in the
program.30
Number of Students
Grades of Students
School Year Participating in Scholarships
Participating in program
Accounts
2018-2019 Grades 3-5 5,639
2019-2020 Grades 3-5 6,792
2020-2021 Grades 3-5 4,964
2021-2022 Grades 3-5 2,035
2022-2023 Grades K-5 12,464
One hundred percent of the funds appropriated for the scholarship accounts will be released to the
DOE at the beginning of the first quarter of each fiscal year. 31 Once an eligible nonprofit SFO notifies
21 See s. 1008.25(6)a, F.S.; see also Rule 6A-6.0533, F.A.C. for determining substantial math deficiency for students in kindergarten
through grade 4.
22 Section 1002.411(6)(a), F.S.
23 Section 1002.411(3)(a)1.-2., F.S.; see also, Florida Department of Education, Scholarship Funding Org anizations, Applications,
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/sfo/applications.stml (last visited Jan. 3, 2024).
24 Section 1002.411(3)(a)2.a.-e., F.S.
25 See s. 1012.56, F.S.
26 See s. 1012.57, F.S.
27 See s. 1012.56(5), F.S.
28 Section 1002.411(7)(a), F.S.
29 Specific Appropriation 97, s. 2, Chapter 2023-239, L.O.F.
30 Email, Step Up for Students, July 27, 2023 (on file with the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee).
31 Section 1002.411(7)(b), F.S.
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the DOE of a student’s eligibility for a scholarship, the DOE will release the student’s scholarship funds
to the organization for deposit into the student’s account. 32
The SFO must provide scholarship payments at least quarterly.33 The accrued interest in the student’s
account is in addition to, and not part of, the awarded funds. Account funds include both the awarded
funds and accrued interest.34
The eligible SFO 35 may develop a system for payment of scholarship funds by funds transfer, including,
but not limited to, debit cards, electronic payment cards, or any other means of payment that the DOE
deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. A student’s scholarship award may not be reduced
for debit card or electronic payment fees. Commodities or services related to the development of s uch
a system will be procured by competitive solicitation unless they are purchased from a state term
contract.36
A student’s scholarship account must be closed, and any remaining funds must be sent back to the
DOE after:37
Denial or revocation of scholarship eligibility by the Commissioner of Educa