This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance student health, improve charter school operations, and strengthen early literacy and mathematics instruction. It allows students to carry FDA-approved epinephrine delivery devices instead of auto-injectors, with the State Board of Education tasked to establish usage rules. Charter schools are prohibited from dismissing students based on academic performance while implementing improvement plans, and new criteria for awarding 15-year charters to schools with exemplary programming and fiscal management are introduced. The bill also revises the definition of educational emergencies, allowing certain low-performing schools to be exempt from specific contract restrictions, and mandates that both public and private schools can purchase FDA-approved epinephrine devices for emergencies.

Additionally, the legislation focuses on early literacy and mathematics for students in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program through grade 3, requiring a coordinated screening system to monitor student progress and identify those with significant deficiencies. Parents of students facing challenges must be notified in writing about their child's needs and available interventions. The bill also allocates Title I funds to support STEM education and mandates collaboration with the Lastinger Center for Learning to recommend adaptive AI tools for mathematics instruction. Overall, the bill aims to improve educational standards, safety, and support for students and educators in Florida, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 7036 pb: 1001.42, 1002.20, 1002.42, 1003.42, 1003.4282, 1004.85, 1006.07, 1008.2125, 1011.69