Press Release:

1. Florida legislation, in agreement with the Florida Department of Education, is encouraged to implement a differential diploma system, for the following sub reasons:

a. A more aligned curriculum
b. Overall readiness regardless of student’s career path
A differential diploma would be in place with the following graduation requirements:
 4 years of math
 4 years of science
 Required end‐of‐course examinations

2. Florida legislation, in agreement with the Florida Department of Education, would
require for teacher certification, field training in two different environments, inclusive but not limited to urban, suburban, and rural, in two nine‐week segments for a total of 18 weeks.

3. Florida legislation, in agreement with the Florida Department of Education would mandate an FCAT prep course teaching reading and math, thus eliminating remedialFCAT Math and Reading courses.

Noting the need to reform financial aid in order to better help our Florida students; Fully alarmed that 21st century skills are needed to function in the competitive international 21st century; Believing that if changes are not made to require FAFSA application completion as a
priority, student will continue to “miss out” on available Federal aid; Realizing that there are a large number of students in the state of Florida who do not qualify for the Pell Grant because they are considered to be middle income;

The Florida Student Education Policy Conference hereby:
1. Declares accordingly that the all SUS/FCS applicants must fill out a FAFSA

2. Endorses a hierarchy of financial aid disbursement with the intent of properly funding need based programs to not exceed Cost of Attendance and carries the following stipulations:

i. Propose to set the cost of attendance equitable at all institutions to include books, tuition, housing, transportation and meals.
ii. Propose that prepaid be optional in its consideration as part of the state financial
aid for students.

3. Affirms the need to update Bright Futures to the following in order to meet “21st century needs”:
Students who are full‐time (full‐time is equivalent to 24 credits in school year inclusive of summer by the next academic year) status and drop to part‐time status will lose their eligibility to receive Bright Future funding.

*Noting that there will be an appeals process for unique cases and a probation period to allow student to enroll full‐time the next semester.