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Founded by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the Foundation for Florida’s Future is a not-for-profit public policy organization dedicated to keeping the promise of quality education. The Foundation works with parents, business leaders, teachers and policymakers to advocate for reforms that raise academic standards, increase accountability, reward success and offer choices – key factors for improving quality in any system, including public schools.

Florida is delivering on the promise of a better education. Bold reforms are transforming our schools into world-class learning institutions that challenge students to strive for excellence. School boards, principals and teachers across our state are embracing the challenge with energy and creativity. And students, not surprisingly, are rising to the challenge and exceeding expectations.

But the work is only beginning. To keep our promise, Florida must constantly challenge the status quo. A perpetual cycle of reform will continually improve quality. Without reform, our state will lose ground and miss opportunities that could prevent millions of students from realizing their full potential.

Visit the Foundation for Florida's Future.

“Our top priority is to pass legislation that reforms the teacher profession by ending tenure and changing the way we evaluate and compensate our teachers,” says Patricia Levesque. Other advocacy goals include customizing education through digital learning, expanding access with more charter and private school choice and protecting funding for education programs that improve student achievement.

• In March 2011, The Foundation for Florida’s Future applauded the passage of a landmark reform law to modernize the way Florida evaluates teachers and rewards excellence in the classroom. Under SB 736, the more students learn, the more teachers will earn.
• In 2010, The Foundation for Florida’s Future threw its support behind three bills passed by the legislature. SB 4 aligned state standards with the American Diploma Project, and the Foundation supported the bill by preparing talking points for legislators, drafting op-eds, arranging for expert testimony, and lobbying. SB 6 would have ended tenure for newly hired teachers, implemented performance pay, and improved evaluation systems. While SB 6 was vetoed, the work done in 2010 made teacher quality a top priority in 2011. In addition, Florida’s winning application for Race to the Top included a proposal requiring teachers to be evaluated and rewarded based on student learning. The Foundation also supported SB 2126, which expands Florida’s tax-credit scholarship program.
• Comprehensive outreach to legislators included a summit in January 2010, which was attended by seventy-five legislative, business, and education leaders, including the senate president and speaker of the house. The Foundation’s annual Legislative Report Card and Honor Roll, lawmakers who support reform efforts, also contribute to its influence.

Patricia Levesque
Executive Director

Media Contact: Jaryn Emhof
850-391-3072 / 850-528-8629

Twitter: @AFloridaPromise