Florida HB 5101: How Funding Cuts Will Impact Advanced Academic Programs

Florida HB 5101: How Funding Cuts Will Impact Advanced Academic Programs

As a concerned IB parent at Nease High School, I've been closely reviewing Florida House Bill 5101, which contains significant changes to education funding that will directly impact our advanced academic programs. After analyzing the specifics of this bill, I'm sharing this information to raise awareness about what these changes mean for our schools, teachers, and most importantly, our students.

What You Need to Know About HB 5101

The proposed Florida House Bill 5101 contains a major change that is receiving little attention: a 50% reduction in the funding weight for all accelerated academic programs, including International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and Dual Enrollment (DE).

These programs are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) using a system that rewards schools with additional funding based on student achievement in these rigorous programs. This funding is critical for maintaining program quality, covering examination fees, providing teacher training, and purchasing necessary instructional materials.

The Numbers: What's Changing

Under current law, schools receive additional funding through "bonus FTE" calculations when students succeed in advanced programs:

This 50% reduction will substantially decrease the funds available to support these vital programs.

Real Impact: A Sample Calculation Using Nease High School's IB Program

To understand what these changes mean in real dollars, I've prepared a sample calculation based on Nease High School's International Baccalaureate program. While I'm waiting for the administration to provide exact figures, this sample should give you a clear picture of the potential impact:

Nease High School IB Program Funding Impact (Preliminary Estimate based on 2023-2024 Statistics)

Key Facts (Based on Available 2024 Information):

• 2,166 total students at Nease High School
• 151 students enrolled in the IB program (11th and 12th)
• Current Base Student Allocation: $5,330.98

Actual IB Achievement (Based on Class of 2024 Results):

• 151 11th and 12th grade students taking IB exams
• 94% pass rate on IB exams (approximately 142 students passing)
• 90 graduating seniors in the IB program
• 95% earned IB Diplomas (approximately 86 students)
• Average score of 5.02 on the 7-point IB scale

Before HB 5101:

• IB Exam Bonus FTE: 142 students with passing scores × 0.16 = 22.72 FTE
• IB Diploma Bonus FTE: 86 diplomas × 0.30 = 25.8 FTE
• Total IB Bonus FTE: 48.52 FTE
• Estimated Funding Generated: 48.52 × $5,330.98 × 0.982 = $254,040

After HB 5101:

• IB Exam Bonus FTE: 142 students with passing scores × 0.08 = 11.36 FTE
• IB Diploma Bonus FTE: 86 diplomas × 0.15 = 12.9 FTE
• Total IB Bonus FTE: 24.26 FTE
• Estimated Funding Generated: 24.26 × $5,330.98 × 0.982 = $127,020

Projected Funding Reduction: See my note about not including AP classes on this.

• Approximately $127,020 cut from Nease's IB program funding
• Roughly $841 less funding per IB student (based on 151 total SY 2023-2024 IB students in 11th-12th grade)

I'm working to obtain precise figures from Nease administration to refine these calculations, but the fundamental math remains the same: a 50% reduction in FTE weights will result in approximately 50% less funding for these programs.

This represents just one program at one school. I didn't include the fact that a lot of these IB kids also take AP courses and exams! So, these numbers are actually on the smaller end. I also did not include the pre-IB sophomores and freshmen who are also taking AP courses and exams! You get the point. The total impact across all advanced programs and all Florida schools will be in the tens of millions of dollars.

In fact - here's a flyer from my school district, St. John's County alone:

What This Means for Our Schools and Students

These cuts will have real consequences:

1. Potential Fee Increases: Schools may need to pass more costs on to families for exam fees, which can already exceed $100 per AP exam and $900 for the full IB assessment.

2. Reduced Program Support: Less funding means fewer resources for textbooks, lab materials, and specialized technology needed for advanced coursework.

3. Diminished Teacher Development: Advanced programs require specialized teacher training and ongoing professional development, which may be reduced.

4. Limited Access: Some schools may be forced to limit enrollment in these programs, reducing educational opportunities for students.

5. Program Viability: Some schools with smaller programs may find them unsustainable with half the supplemental funding.

Why This Matters

These advanced academic programs such as IB provide Florida students with:

• Rigorous, internationally-benchmarked education
• College preparation and potential college credits
• Critical thinking and research skills
• Global perspectives essential for today's workforce
• Competitive advantages in college admissions

The Long-Term Impact: A Special Note to Parents of Younger Children

While current high school students will feel the immediate effects of these cuts, families with younger children have even more at stake. The precedent being set with HB 5101 will shape Florida's educational landscape for years to come.

Consider what this means for your child's future:

For Elementary School Parents: Your curious, bright-eyed children who are just beginning their educational journey deserve to have the full spectrum of academic opportunities waiting for them. By the time they reach high school, these advanced programs may be shadows of their former selves if this funding pattern continues.

For Middle School Parents: Your children, who are starting to discover their academic interests and talents, should have clear pathways to advanced learning. These cuts threaten to disrupt the very programs they may be preparing to enter in just a few short years.

This is not just about preserving programs for today's students. We need to protect the educational ecosystem that will nurture the next generation of Florida's scholars, innovators, and leaders. When we allow advanced programs to be undermined today, we're accepting diminished opportunities for all the students who will follow.

Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Every parent deserves to see their child thrive in challenging academic environments that prepare them for brilliant futures. The time to advocate for those opportunities is now—before these cuts become the new normal for Florida education funding.

What We Can Do

If you believe these programs deserve full funding, here's how you can help:

1. Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your state representatives and senators to express your concerns. Find your representatives at www.myfloridahouse.gov and www.flsenate.gov.
2. Attend Committee Hearings: Check the Florida Legislature's website for upcoming education committee meetings where this bill will be discussed.
3. Organize with Other Parents: Reach out to PTA/PTO groups, booster clubs, and school advisory councils to amplify our message.
4. Share Your Story: Tell lawmakers how these programs have benefited your child and why they're worth protecting.
5. Spread Awareness: Share this information with other parents who may be unaware of these proposed changes.

St. John's County Contacts

Representative Kim Kendall

• https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/custom/details.aspx?MemberId=4905&LegislativeTermId=91

Representative Judson Sapp

• https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4907&LegislativeTermId=91

Senator Tom Leek

• https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s7?pref=full

Conclusion

Florida has built a strong reputation for educational excellence, with our students consistently performing well in these advanced academic programs. The proposed 50% funding cut places this success at risk.

As parents, we understand the state's need to make difficult budgetary decisions, but cutting successful academic programs that prepare our students for college and careers should not be the answer. Let's make our voices heard and work together to maintain full funding for these vital educational opportunities.

Questions? contact@peachinsurance.net

-Peachie Thompson

I am not a lawyer or accountant. This post is my personal opinion as of 04/08/2025 and based on PCB PKB 25-01 (2025), which I've reviewed in detail. For the most current status of this bill, please refer to the Florida Legislature's website HB5101 Education