May 1, 2026
Governor’s Press Office
850-717-9282
Florida Enacts Education Reforms Aimed at Enhancing Teacher Accountability and Student Opportunities
Fort Myers, Fla. —Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted significant educational reforms by signing SB 1296 and HB 1279, which aim to increase transparency and accountability within teacher unions and provide broader opportunities for both students and educators in Florida.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the state’s commitment to maintaining its leading position in education through these new legislative measures. “Thanks to our historic investments and common-sense policies, Florida has ranked #1 in the nation for education two out of the last three years. Today in Fort Myers, I signed landmark legislation to build on this success and ensure our state continues to lead the way in education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. The Governor criticized partisan school unions, stating that they often fail to serve the best interests of teachers and students.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to set the national standard in education,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. He praised the bills for prioritizing students, removing unnecessary barriers, rewarding exceptional performance, and enhancing transparency, while ensuring teacher unions genuinely represent educators’ interests.
Key Provisions of SB 1296 and HB 1279:
SB 1296 introduces measures for the decertification of partisan school unions and accelerates the process of implementing salary increases that have been delayed by some unions. The bill includes:
- A requirement for at least 50% participation in union certification or recertification elections, preventing unions from being recertified through minimal voter turnout.
- Increased penalties for illegal strikes, doubling the maximum fine for organizations involved in such activities from $20,000 per day to $40,000 per day.
- A streamlined process to ensure that teachers receive pay increases promptly.
HB 1279 empowers districts to offer immediate pay incentives to high-performing teachers who choose to work in underperforming schools, bypassing collective bargaining constraints. Key aspects of the bill include:
- Direct pay incentives for outstanding teachers in low-performing schools.
- Enhanced parental rights in special education.
- Expanded bonuses for Florida teachers, making those teaching Florida Advanced Courses eligible for bonuses similar to their counterparts teaching Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB).
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