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Can't keep up grades? Then forget about band
Today is Day 12 the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.
Associated Press
Published March 19, 2005
Just like football players, high school students who don't maintain at least a C average wouldn't be able to participate in band, the drama club or any other extracurricular activity under a bill (CS-HB 149) approved unanimously Friday by a House Education Appropriations subcommittee.
Sponsor Pat Patterson, R-DeLand, noted that a requirement that athletes keep up their grades has been on the book for more than 20 years.
A similar Senate bill (SB 1034) is still in committee.
Growing school districts could get class size break
School districts that find themselves with an unexpected bulge in student population could get a break on class size requirements under another bill the House Education Appropriations subcommittee approved unanimously.
Now, districts that don't reduce their average class size by two students can be penalized by having money they planned to use for operations transferred to a fund dedicated to construction.
Under HB 903, districts would avoid that penalty if their enrollment exceeded predictions.
A similar Senate bill (SB 1678) hasn't been heard in committee.
Survey would assess art classes, their importance
The state Department of Education would be directed to study how much art is being taught in Florida schools under a bill (CS-HB 879) the House Education Appropriations Committee unanimously approved.
Sponsoring Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, said art classes have been "steadily decreasing in the last decade" even though taking art helps students do better in other classes.
The state would also analyze how well students do on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test if they are taught art.
A similar Senate bill (CS-SB 126) that has been approved by one committee would require each school district to develop a program of performing and fine arts and provide time for students to take those classes.
Another year, another Slosberg seat belt bill
A third House committee approved a bill (HB 3) to let police pull over motorists for not wearing a seat belt.
The House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee voted 16-3 Friday for the measure, which Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, has pushed for several years.
Seat belt use is required by state law, but police now can ticket motorists for being unbelted only if they stop them for another offense.
The measure has passed in the House in previous years, but hasn't been approved in the Senate.
[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:00:09]
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