Florida Constitution ARTICLE IX EDUCATION
Florida Constitution – Article IX: Education
Title: Education
🔹 Overview:
Article IX of the Florida Constitution establishes the framework, duties, and rights related to public education in the state. It emphasizes that education is a fundamental value and a paramount duty of the state government.
🔸 Section-by-Section Summary:
Section 1 – Public Education:
Education is a fundamental value of Florida's people.
The state's paramount duty is to provide a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high-quality system of free public schools.
The system includes:
Public K-12 schools
State college system
State university system
Section 2 – State Board of Education:
The State Board of Education oversees the management of the K-12 public education system.
Members are appointed by the Governor.
Section 3 – County School Boards:
Each county has a school board responsible for operating public schools in its jurisdiction.
School board members are elected by voters.
Section 4 – School Superintendents:
School superintendents are either elected by voters or appointed as determined by county charters or law.
Section 5 – Postsecondary Education:
Establishes a statewide system of governance for public universities.
The Board of Governors governs the State University System.
Section 6 – Funding for Public Education:
Requires adequate funding for a free public education system.
The state must make sufficient provision to ensure high-quality education.
Section 7 – State University System:
Establishes the Board of Governors for overall governance of Florida's public universities.
The board’s responsibilities include defining mission statements, budgets, and academic programs.
Section 8 – Community College System:
Provides for the creation and governance of community colleges under general law.
Oversight is typically by local boards of trustees.
Section 9 – Florida College System:
Specifies a system of public colleges that grant associate degrees and some bachelor’s degrees.
Supervised by the State Board of Education.
Section 10 – Pre-K Education:
Guarantees free, high-quality prekindergarten education for all four-year-old children in Florida.
To be offered voluntarily by the state.
📌 Key Themes:
Right to education: Education is a constitutional right in Florida.
Local control: County school boards and elected officials manage local schools.
State oversight: The state ensures accountability, standards, and funding.
Early education: Florida constitutionally mandates pre-K access.
University governance: Managed by an independent Board of Governors.
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