229.593  Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability.--

(1)  The Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability is created to provide a means by which the state may oversee the establishment and implementation of a new system of school improvement and education accountability from preschool through grade 12. The commission shall be assigned to the Office of the Commissioner of Education for administrative and fiscal accountability purposes, but it shall otherwise function independently.

(2)  The commission shall consist of the following members:

(a)  The Commissioner of Education, who shall serve as a voting ex officio member and as co-chair.

(b)  The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as a voting ex officio member and as co-chair.

(c)  Four members appointed by the Governor. Such members shall include three representatives of the business community and a teacher.

(d)  Six members appointed by the President of the Senate. Such members shall include three members of the Senate, a teacher, a parent of a child enrolled in a Florida public school, and a dean of a college of education within the state.

(e)  Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Such members shall include three members of the House of Representatives, a vocational educator, a parent of a child enrolled in a Florida public school, and a school board member.

(f)  Five members appointed by the Commissioner of Education. Such members shall include a school superintendent, a school principal, a teacher, an expert in testing and measurement, and a parent of a child enrolled in a Florida public school.

(3)  Recognized statewide organizations representing each interest enumerated in this section shall submit no fewer than two nor more than three nominees to the appropriate public official for consideration. The public officials shall appoint members representative of the ethnic, racial, gender, and economic population of the state. The term of each appointed private citizen member shall be for 4 years. A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by the person who had appointment jurisdiction of the vacated member. Members shall serve until their successors are duly appointed. Provisions of ¹s. 11.611(8)(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, private citizen members shall be appointed as provided in this section and are not subject to confirmation by the Senate. Members of the commission may be removed for cause by the appointing authority. Any member who, without cause, fails to attend three consecutive meetings may be removed by the appointing authority.

(4)  The commission shall adopt internal organizational procedures or bylaws necessary for its efficient operation. The commission shall elect a vice chair annually, who shall chair the commission in the absence of the chair. The commission may appoint committees from its membership or may create such ad hoc advisory committees as it deems necessary. The commission shall clearly assign to each committee duties that are consistent with the statutory duties of the commission. At least one such committee must be created to address the development of performance standards consistent with the state education goals. Any committee is to serve the commission in a strictly advisory capacity and must have a commission member as chair.

(5)  Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in s. 112.061. Legislators are entitled to receive travel and per diem expenses as provided by the Office of Legislative Services for meetings of legislative committees. When appropriate, commission members who are parents are to receive a stipend for child care costs incurred while attending commission meetings.

History.--s. 66, ch. 90-288; ss. 4, 21, ch. 91-283; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 1217, ch. 95-147; s. 95, ch. 97-190; s. 27, ch. 98-136.