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176 Florida Schools, 5 Districts Achieve Purple Star Distinction

December 17, 2024

Governor’s Press Office

850-717-9282

[email protected]

Florida Schools and Districts Honored for Military Family Support

Tallahassee, Fla.—In a notable development for Florida’s education and military communities, Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that 176 additional schools have been awarded the Purple Star School of Distinction designation. This brings the total number of designated schools to nearly 400 across the state. Moreover, for the first time, five school districts—Bay, Brevard, Citrus, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa—have been recognized with the Florida Purple Star School District designation.

Governor DeSantis emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, “We encourage every school in the state to strive to better serve military families and earn the designation. I am proud to recognize these schools and school districts for their efforts to support our military families and earn the Purple Star designation.”

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. also congratulated the schools, highlighting that the governor’s steadfast support for servicemembers enables these schools to significantly assist military families. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ unwavering commitment to our servicemembers, these schools are going above and beyond to support our military families. This designation will go a long way toward guiding veterans and military families through the challenges they face,” he said.

To qualify for the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction designation, schools must adhere to several criteria:

  • Appoint a military point-of-contact to act as a liaison for military families;
  • Maintain a dedicated webpage for military students and their families, offering resources on academic and transition planning;
  • Implement a student-led transition program to assist incoming military students;
  • Provide staff with professional development training to address military family needs;
  • Reserve 5% of open-enrollment seats for military-affiliated students and families;
  • Offer three elective opportunities that support military families, such as service projects connecting schools with the military community, annual military recognition events, or JROTC programs.

The Purple Star School of Distinction program, initiated by the Florida Legislature in 2021, has seen nearly 200 schools meet its requirements in the first two years. Public schools and private schools partaking in state scholarship programs are eligible for this designation.

The district-level program acknowledges school districts that provide exceptional support to military families and facilitate transitions for military-connected students.

Governor DeSantis has introduced several initiatives to aid active military and veteran families, such as:

  • Implementing the Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program through House Bill 1035, offering sign-on bonuses for retired first responders and veterans who become full-time teachers;
  • Creating the Collegiate Purple Star Campuses Program to assist military members, veterans, and their families in Florida colleges and universities;
  • Reaffirming the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children to streamline school transitions for children of active-duty military families;
  • Enacting Senate Bill 896, establishing the Military Veterans Certification Pathway to ease veterans’ access to educational jobs by counting military service towards educator certification requirements;
  • Allowing military experience to substitute for postsecondary education in state agencies, enabling veterans to apply for higher-level civilian roles;
  • Facilitating college credit for military experience, acknowledging the educational and training value gained during service.

To learn more about the Purple Star designations and access a complete list of schools, visit https://www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/parental-involvement/purple-star.stml

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