On Wednesday afternoon, HB 793 passed out of the House and will be sent over to the Senate to be matched up with the Senate bill 520. The passage of one of these bills will equalize the Medallion test scores for home education students with public and private school students. All student will need to make an 1170 SAT or an ACT score of 26. Home education students will no longer be required to make 1220 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT if the parent cannot document the 16 required courses in a public or private school.
The bill also creates a new scholarship, the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award. This scholarship will allow a home education student who earns a minimum of 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications which articulate for college credit and completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service work to qualify for this scholarship.
The bill also expands the areas of community service to include work for a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. HEF is really excited about this expansion as it will help students learn about our government and get to know candidates and their values first hand.
It also allows a student who is unable to accept an initial Bright Futures award immediately after completion of high school due to a full-time religious or service obligation lasting at least 18 months to begin the 2-years eligibility period for his or her initial award and the 5-year renewal period upon the completion of his or her religious or service obligation.
This is a real victory for home education students. Parents, please send an email or note of thanks to Sen. Tom Lee and Rep. Marlene O’Toole for their great work.
Sen. Tom Lee’s email:    lee.tom.web@flsenatel.gov Rep. Marlene O’Toole email: marlene.otoole@myfloridahouse.gov