Foundation for Florida’s Future’s report card grades lawmakers for 2016 Session

Twenty legislators earned spots on the Jeb Bush-founded Foundation for Florida’s Future honor roll this year, according to a press release.

The nonprofit organization, which supports initiatives such as school choice, issues a yearly report card on lawmakers “for their actions to improve the quality of education in the Sunshine State through support for student-centered policies,” the release said.

“Because of their actions the parents of students with disabilities now have more options in preparing their children for success, all students will have greater access to our wealth of excellent public schools, and the groundwork is laid for a future in which every child can receive a personalized education,” Executive Director Patricia Levesque said.

The lawmakers achieving top marks for their work are:

Senate

• President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando
• Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Ft. Myers
• Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg
• Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz
• Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee
• Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate
• Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland

House of Representatives

• Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island
• Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach
• Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami
• Rep. Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs
• Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah
• Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando
• Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami
• Rep. Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake
• Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee
• Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero
• Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg
• Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover
• Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor

Here’s more from the release:

By grading lawmakers on a scale of A-F, just like students and schools, Florida’s Education Report Card gives the public a clear and comprehensive assessment of who is keeping the promise of a quality education in the Sunshine State.

It measures reforms based on seven core principles: Data-Driven Accountability, Digital Learning, Effective Teachers and Leaders, Outcome-Based Funding, Rigorous Academic Standards, School Choice and Measuring of what Matters.

Grades are based on legislators’ voting records and demonstrations of leadership. House and Senate voting records are calculated in a ratio of favorable votes cast for student-centered policies out of the total opportunities to vote on those policies.

For more on the 2016 legislative report card, click here.