fbpx

Best and Brightest Program Settlement

Article updated April 21, 2020 with new information.

In 2017, the FEA filed a lawsuit against the Department and Florida’s school districts and other special districts in the federal court in Tallahassee.  The lawsuit claims that the SAT/ACT score requirement of the Florida’s Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program had an illegal “disparate impact” on classroom teachers based on their Black and Hispanic race, that the SAT/ACT score requirement was not required by education necessity, and that it was not related to teachers’ job performance.

After nearly two years of litigation, the FEA and the individual teachers who acted as class representatives have reached a settlement of the case with the Department.  The settlement resulted in the repeal of the Program’s SAT/ACT requirement and creates a fund of $15,500,000 to be paid to eligible Black and Hispanic class members who submit claims.  A portion of the funds will be used to pay the costs of administering the settlement, the FEA’s attorney’s fees, and compensation to individual teacher class representatives for their service in the case. The federal court has approved the settlement as of March 23, 2020. Checks are expected to be mailed to class members on June 15, 2020. This timeframe is to account for the appeal period and for the class administrator to run the final calculations and prepare the checks for mailing

For more information on the settlement please go to www.BestBrightestSettlement.com.

Statement Re. State Board of Education Meeting: “Teachers and education staff are tired of being vilified.”

Today, the Florida Education Association released a statement following the state board of education meeting held in Winter Park.“FEA, our members and their local unions fight every single day to…

Read more about Statement Re. State Board of Education Meeting: “Teachers and education staff are tired of being vilified.”

Statement on Signing of SB 1746: “Florida’s leaders continue to stand in the way of workers fighting for better life.”

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis’ signed into law an anti-worker bill (SB 1746) sponsored by Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-11) that would place additional mandates on any person seeking to join their…

Read more about Statement on Signing of SB 1746: “Florida’s leaders continue to stand in the way of workers fighting for better life.”

Florida’s Budget Keeps Teachers Near the Bottom for Salary

Tallahassee – Today, the Florida legislature released their proposed budget that once again does not go far enough in supporting students, parents, teachers and education staff professionals in the state.…

Read more about Florida’s Budget Keeps Teachers Near the Bottom for Salary

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

Help for kids who are hurting

Through Steve’s Club, Cori Lake Walls wants to ensure no grieving student goes unnoticed or unheard

Read more about Help for kids who are hurting

$1,200 worth of turkeys and a lot of love

Lakisha Ayers-White and her student volunteers provide supplies for Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings to dozens of union families

Read more about $1,200 worth of turkeys and a lot of love