Florida House Unanimously Passes Military Education Bill Sponsored by Rep. Tyler Sirois
By Space Coast Daily // March 11, 2020
Sirois legislation would recognize JROTC and military pathways as part of school grade
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Florida House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 662, legislation sponsored by Representative Tyler Sirois.
The legislation adjusts the criteria used to grade public schools by recognizing the achievement of students who complete coursework in military preparedness, such as Junior Officer Reserve Training Corps and earn a high score on the ASVAB test.
The ASVAB is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The test evaluates a student’s readiness for occupational training and enlistment in the United States Military.
The legislation adds this test along with JROTC participation into the criteria used to assess student achievement in college and career readiness coursework.
The legislation recognizes student coursework in military preparedness similar to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and other accelerated programs available in the area of college and career readiness.
The bill also provides greater flexibility for enrollment for students whose parents are service members and transfer from one military base to another within Florida. Representative Sirois was joined on the House Floor by members of the Veterans Caucus.
Following passage of the legislation, Representative Sirois issued the following statement:
“I want to thank parents, veterans, and the members of our School Board for bringing this important issue to my attention. Students who choose a path of military service should be recognized for their achievement and our school grading criteria should honor their bravery, commitment, and academic work.
“The military provides occupational training and discipline, deeply rooted in tradition. College is not the best choice for every child. Just as we have expanded options for students to participate in vocational and technical training, we now recognize students who choose the honorable path of military service.”
Senator Tom Wright (R – New Smyrna Beach) is the sponsor of the companion legislation in the Florida Senate.
The bill will now be submitted to the governor for approval.
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