Education System

State Board of Education

Printer Friendly Version

For assistance, call 850-245-0505 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/

What is the purpose of the State Board of Education?

In accordance with article IX, section 2 of the Florida Constitution, the State Board of Education is responsible for supervising the system of free public education as is provided by law.

What is the role of the State Board of Education?

The role of the State Board of Education is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by providing them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities, and to maintain an accountability system that measures student progress towards the goals of highest student achievement, seamless articulation and maximum access, skilled workforce and economic development, and quality efficient services.

The State Board of Education appoints the Commissioner of Education, who serves as the Executive Director of the Department of Education. In accordance with ss. 1001.10 and 1001.11, Florida Statutes, the commissioner serves as the chief educational officer of the state and is responsible for giving full assistance to the State Board of Education. The commissioner's office is responsible for operating all statewide functions necessary to support the State Board of Education, including strategic planning and budget development, general administration, assessment, and accountability.

What is the composition of the State Board of Education?

The State Board of Education is a citizen board consisting of seven state residents appointed by the Governor to staggered four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate. State board members serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses in accordance with s. 112.061, Florida Statutes. Members may be reappointed by the Governor for additional terms not to exceed eight years of consecutive service.

What are the powers of the State Board of Education?

The State Board of Education is the chief implementing and coordinating body of public education in Florida, except for the State University System. The board's primary focus is on high-level policy decisions. It has the authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, Florida Statutes, and to implement the provisions of law for the improvement of the state system of public education, except for the State University System. The board may delegate its general powers to the Commissioner of Education or the directors of the divisions of the department.

Some of the specific powers of the State Board of Education include adopting and periodically reviewing and revising the Florida Standards, classifying school services, designating certification subject areas, and establishing competencies and certification requirements for all school-based personnel. A complete list of the board's specific powers is outlined in s. 1001.03, Florida Statutes.

What activities are funded through the State Board of Education?

In addition to supporting the activities of the board and its members, funds appropriated for the State Board of Education support agency-wide executive direction and support services, including fiscal and budget activities, personnel administration, grant management, and contractual services for the department's divisions.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24

	Fund	Salary Rate/ Position	General Revenue	Trust Funds
SALARY RATE		60,162,804
POSITIONS		948.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			28,060,602
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			8,685,223
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			7,256,521
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			3,516,335
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			17,324,514
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			3,875,711
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			8,393,114
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			90,630
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			348,468
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			477,498
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			6,853,620
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			257,794
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			149,054
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			100,109
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			44,160
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			473,937
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			235,298
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			26,507
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			5,311
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			61,251
EXPENSES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			4,523,869
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			1,456,375
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,150,576
	FROM EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY TRUST FUND			133,426
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			898,664
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			1,888,663
	FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND			48,433
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			514,776
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			800,556
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			26,050
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			295,667
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			135,350
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			706,077
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			45,970
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			144,428
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			7,440
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			15,000
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			241,756
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			16,375
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			55,960
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			6,000
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			5,000
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			3,150
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			47,921
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			70,948,875
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			2,315,367
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			44,340,886
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			13,783,900
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			404,792
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			50,113,699
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			739,054
	FROM CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TRUST FUND			300,000
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,402,736
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			488,200
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			4,543,229
	FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND			50,000
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			405,405
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			14,009,208
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			19,893
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			374,193
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			4,242,250
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			943,604
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
FLORIDA ACCOUNTING INFORMATION RESOURCE (FLAIR) SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			241,928
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			222,258
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			15,000,000
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			200,000
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			139,753
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			59,495
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			32,310
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			9,120
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			99,318
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			16,135
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			24,304
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			418
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			1,154
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			1,735
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			39,021
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EMERGENCY RELIEF (ESSER) FUND-STATE AGENCY-TEACHER-PRINCIPAL RELIEF PYMT
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			84,218
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 (CRRSAA)
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			142,422,371
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT - NEW WORLDS READING INITIATIVE
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			83,088,901
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			116,867
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			22,720
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			22,927
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			12,346
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			77,843
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			9,691
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			46,728
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			321
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			3,034
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			1,891
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			27,991
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			5,957,818
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			1,803,817
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,344,917
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			355,014
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			3,864,402
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			358,089
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			1,270,508
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			30,707
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			98,614
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			72,904
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			1,295,014
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
NORTHWEST REGIONAL DATA CENTER (NWRDC)
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			5,147,579
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			10,293
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			72,085
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			5,265
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			28,264
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			822,208
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			42,045
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			4,384,980
TOTAL			264,048,447	313,769,304

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Reducing State Regulations. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-16, Laws of Florida, which requires the State Board of Education to recommend repeals and revisions to the Florida Early Learning-20 education code (Chs. 1000-1013, Florida Statutes). The law requires the state board to review the entirety of the Florida Early Learning-20 education code for potential repeals and revisions; consider inputs from stakeholders; develop recommendations addressing repeals and revisions to the statutes governing transportation of students; and provide recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than November 1, 2023, for adoption during the 2024 legislative session.

Additional State Board of Education Responsibilities. Chapter 2022-154, Laws of Florida, relates to education funding. Among its provisions, the new law gave the State Board of Education additional responsibilities regarding virtual instruction programs, teacher preparation programs, and the school accountability system.

Virtual Instruction Programs. The law modifies provisions related to virtual instruction programs (VIP) and authorizes an approved VIP provider to enroll students residing in the school district executing the contract with the provider as well as students in other school districts throughout the state pursuant to the controlled open enrollment requirements. The State Board of Education will have responsibility for approving VIP providers, which will operate under their own Master School Identification Number as prescribed by the Department of Education.

Teacher Preparation Programs. The law revises the uniform core curricula for teacher preparation programs to include strategies that support evidence-based, standards-aligned content and grading practices. The State Board of Education is authorized to weight certain evaluation criteria and approve programs based on national accreditation. The law requires the board to adopt criteria for streamlining evaluations for small programs. Beginning with candidates entering a program in the 2023-24 school year, candidates in a traditional preparation program complete 60 hours of field experience before participating in a culminating field experience and candidates in an educator preparation institute complete a period of field experience as determined by State Board of Education rule before becoming the teacher of record.

School Accountability. The law codifies current practice that requires a school that initially receives a grade of “D” to begin implementing intervention and support strategies authorized in State Board of Education rule. The new law provides

any school receiving an initial grade of “F” or two consecutive grades of “D” must continue to initiate the school improvement turnaround process, but may submit a turnaround plan prior to earning a second consecutive grade of “D”;
school district flexibility in implementing an external operator turnaround option by specifying services that may be contracted, including the option to contract with a charter school network as the external turnaround contractor; and
a school district and an outside entity that enter in a performance-based contract must establish the contract for a minimum of two years.

The law also requires the State Board of Education to annually review the school grading scale and to adjust the grading scale when more than 75% of schools of a school type (i.e. elementary, middle, high, or combination schools) receive a grade of “A” or “B.” The adjustment must raise the minimum number of percentage points required for each grade to the next closest number ending in 5 or 0. Annual adjustments must be suspended upon the achievement upon a grading scale for each school type as specified in the act.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

Charter School Funding, Report 22-11, December 2022

Homeless and Foster Youth Services, Report 22-08, December 2022

Review of the Capital Outlay Facilities Space of Florida's State University System, Report 20-SUSFACI, February 2020

Review of the Capital Outlay Facilities Space of Florida's College System, Report 20-FCSFACI, June 2020

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on the operations of the Department of Education are available on its website
Framework for the State Board of Education's Strategic Plan, Florida Department of Education, April 2018

Websites of Interest
Florida State Board of Education Members
State Board of Education Meeting Schedule and Archives
State Board Rules Under Review

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Article IX, sections 2 and 8(d) of the Florida Constitution and Ch. 1001 Part I A, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Commissioner, Department of Education, 850-245-0505, email: Commissioner@fldoe.org
Website