TALLAHASSEE — Florida is about to fundamentally change the way it educates its children, as Gov. Rick Scott prepares to sign a sweeping education reform bill Thursday.
The measure steers far more money into privately-run charter schools, a move that school districts say will cost public schools a lot of money, and lead to lower quality education.
The bill also requires recess in elementary schools after parents complained that their kids were not doing as well in class as they could because there is no break time to burn off extra energy so they can concentrate better.
Also included in the reform are changes to controversial state standardized tests.
And there will be $30 million extra for services to disabled children.
Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who made education reform a top priority this legislative session, say the measure increases choices for Florida parents looking for alternatives to public schools.