Briefing: Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers…

2024 Update

Florida ranks 50th nationwide in teacher pay, with a critical shortage affecting students across the state. Despite recent efforts, teacher salaries have actually decreased by 15.7% over the past decade when adjusted for inflation.

Key findings:

  • One in ten Florida courses lacks a properly certified teacher
  • 15% of courses in low-performing schools are taught by out-of-field teachers
  • Florida needs 9.7% more teachers by 2031, but fewer college graduates are choosing education

This Florida TaxWatch Briefing explores the root causes of Florida's teacher shortage, from low pay to high stress, and examines recent policy actions. More importantly, it offers concrete solutions to attract and retain quality educators.

Are Florida's students getting the education they deserve? Download our free briefing to understand the crisis and learn how we can secure Florida's educational future.

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Florida TaxWatch Provides Analysis of the Governor’s Property Tax Amendment and Legislation, Recommends Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Lead Debate

Florida TaxWatch Provides Analysis of the Governor’s Property Tax Amendment and Legislation, Recommends Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Lead Debate

The Florida Legislature is meeting in special session to consider Governor DeSantis’ proposed constitutional amendment and linked legislation to provide significant property tax relief to Florida homeowners. The proposal has many provisions, but the main ones would increase the homestead exemption to $150,000, beginning January 1, 2027, and then increase it to $250,000, beginning January 1, 2028. This exemption will apply to all property taxes. In addition, the cap on the annual increase in the assessment of non-homestead properties would be reduced from 10% to 5%, but this change would not apply to school property tax levies. Any property taxes remaining after the changes would be restricted to being used solely for core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, debt, and retirement benefits.

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