The Brief
- The Florida Senate has taken up SB 320, a sweeping education bill that would allow multiyear teacher contracts and limit union bargaining on certain pay decisions.
- Polk County leads the state with more than 400 teacher vacancies; Hillsborough has 340 open positions.
- The Florida Education Association supports the bill, calling it a win for teachers, students, and school communities.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Wednesday marks the second day of Florida’s 2026 regular legislative session, and lawmakers are turning their focus to Florida’s growing teacher shortage.
What we know:
Today, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 320, a wide-ranging education package that includes new tools for teacher retention and compensation reform.
Among the key proposals in SB 320:
- Districts could offer multiyear contracts (up to 3 years) to teachers who’ve completed a probationary and annual contract, and who’ve earned three consecutive years of satisfactory evaluations.
- Teachers on a multiyear contract who receive a “needs improvement” or “unsatisfactory” evaluation would return to a one-year contract.
- School boards could pay more for teachers with advanced degrees. However, this applies only if the degree is in a relevant subject area.
- The bill also limits collective bargaining on performance pay, teacher placement, and bonus structures, giving districts more freedom to act without union negotiations.
It also expands eligibility for Florida’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program and makes certification more flexible, especially for paraprofessionals and career changers.…