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Class Size

Almost two decades ago, Florida voters had become so fed up with large class sizes in their children’s public schools they voted to amend the constitution to correct the problem. Floridians knew is that smaller class sizes would benefit all students.

Research backs this up, supporting the positive impact that smaller classes have on student achievement and the role it plays in reducing the racial achievement gap seen all too in standardized testing.

Despite the overwhelming public support and research-based evidence that smaller classes, especially in early grades, have long-lasting positive impacts on students, Florida’s legislators have been trying to undermine the intent of the constitutional amendment almost since the minute it passed.

From dramatically decreasing the number of courses identified as “core,” to allowing school-wide averages for “Schools of Choice,” the Florida legislature’s attack on the constitution is harming our students. It is no surprise that more than 30 percent of parents who use vouchers in Florida say one of the top things they want from their school is “small classes.”

Students in Florida’s public schools have a constitutional right to small classes and the benefits that come with them. Instead of continuing to funnel public money into unaccountable private schools, the Florida Education Association calls upon the legislature and the governor to fully fund and implement the original 2002 voter mandate.

Resources

Students Win as Voters Show Support for Neighborhood Public Schools; Push Back on DeSantis Agenda 

Voters throughout Florida showed their support for students and educators in public schools during Tuesday's primary, with school board candidates endorsed by the Florida Education Association and its local unions…

Read more about Students Win as Voters Show Support for Neighborhood Public Schools; Push Back on DeSantis Agenda 

Florida Students Start School Year Facing Nearly 10,000 Teacher and Education Staff Professional Vacancies

Today, the Florida Education Association (FEA) has released the latest data on teacher vacancies in the state of Florida. At the start of a new school year, nearly every district…

Read more about Florida Students Start School Year Facing Nearly 10,000 Teacher and Education Staff Professional Vacancies

$200 Million in Florida’s Budget For Salaries Doesn’t Go Far Enough for Educators

Tallahassee, Fla. (June 12, 2024) – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Florida’s budget, which still doesn’t go far enough to support parents, teachers and education staff professionals in the state.“Florida is…

Read more about $200 Million in Florida’s Budget For Salaries Doesn’t Go Far Enough for Educators

Member Spotlight: Carla Cundiff, Indian River County Education Association

In serving on IRCEA’s executive board, Cundiff carries on a family legacy. Her mother was a founding member of IRCEA in the 1970s. Cundiff maintains a large, diverse classroom library.…

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Juneteenth and the Educator’s Role in Fostering Historical Awareness

Juneteenth is a portmanteau, of June and nineteenth, a state and federal holiday in which we honor Freedom Day, which marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. However,…

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FEA leadership: We stand united for our students

Let us say first, we are honored to lead this organization and to have you as a member.

Read more about FEA leadership: We stand united for our students