As part of the Department of Education's appropriation, local revenue for K-12 school support is derived almost entirely from property taxes levied by Florida's 67 counties, each of which constitutes a school district. Total required local effort for Fiscal Year 2022-23, is over $8.8 billion.
The source of funding for public higher education includes state general revenue, student tuition and fees, as well as other funds.
State universities are authorized to charge resident undergraduate tuition of $105.07 per credit hour (s. 1009.24, Florida Statutes). More detailed funding information on state universities is available in the State University System summary.
Institutions in the Florida College System are authorized to charge the standard tuition fee of $71.98 per credit hour for residents and nonresidents, and an out-of-state fee of $215.94 per credit hour, for advanced and professional, postsecondary vocational, college preparatory, and educator preparation institute programs. Institutions charge $91.79 per credit hour for resident tuition for baccalaureate degree programs (s. 1009.23, Florida Statutes).
For career education programs, school districts and technical centers are authorized to charge the standard tuition fee of $2.33 per contact hour for residents and nonresidents and the out-of-state fee of $6.99 per contact hour for programs leading to a career certificate or an applied technology diploma (s. 1009.22, Florida Statutes).
Career and Technical Education and Workforce Education Programs. In 2023, the Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-81, Laws of Florida, which
Individual Freedom. The 2022 Legislature enacted Ch. 2022-72, Laws of Florida, which includes provisions designed to protect individual freedoms and prevent discrimination in the workplace and in public schools. The law also conforms the identification of protected classes in the law prohibiting discrimination in Florida’s K-20 educational system to those identified in federal law and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
Civil Rights in Employment and K-20 Education. The law specifies that subjecting any individual, as a condition of employment, membership, certification, licensing, credentialing, or passing an examination, to training, instruction, or any other required activity; or subjecting any K-20 public education student or employee to training or instruction, that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe in the following concepts constitutes an unlawful employment practice or unlawful discrimination.
Required Instruction. The law defines individual freedoms based on the fundamental truth that all individuals are equal before the law and have inalienable rights. Accordingly, required instruction, instructional materials, and professional development in public schools must be consistent with the following principles of individual freedom:.
Among its provisions the law also authorizes discussion and curricula, in an age-appropriate manner, regarding topics such as sexism, slavery, racial oppression, racial segregation, and racial discrimination but instruction and curricula may not be used to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view inconsistent with the principles of individual freedom or state academic standards. In addition, the law expands required instruction in the history of African-Americans. For example, the law requires that African-American history instruction develop in students an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping on individual freedoms, and examine what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purpose of encouraging tolerance of diversity and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions.
Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website
Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Education, Division of K-12 Public Schools
Florida Department of Education, Career and Adult Education
Florida State Board of Education
Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance
Florida Department of Education, Division of Florida Colleges
Florida Board of Governors
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for universities may be found in the Board of Governor's strategic plan and accountability plans
Florida Department of Education, Office of the Commissioner, 850-245-0505, email: Commissioner@fldoe.org
Florida Department of Education
Florida College System, Office of the Chancellor, 850-245-0407, email: FCSInfo@fldoe.org
Division of Florida Colleges
Florida Board of Governors, Office of the Chancellor, 850-245-0466, email: Chancellor@flbog.edu
State University System of Florida, Board of Governors