As the world continues to globalize, it’s imperative that Florida’s youth are equipped with the linguistic skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Maria Sachs, a former member of the Florida Senate, has long recognized this need and has tirelessly worked to expand language education opportunities for students across the state.

Legislation Highlights:

SB 1714 (HB 1365): COMPETENCY-BASED INNOVATION PILOT PROGRAM

As a mother of three, I understand how important education is to ensure a prosperous future for our children and our nation as a whole. The education our children receive during their formative K-12 years is a significant determining factor of so much in their lives and their future. Proper training for our youngest citizens is the key to preparing them for their future success, and it is something we should never compromise on.

As the world continues to evolve at breakneck speed, it is also important to consider innovative new methods for teaching our youth. Taking this into account, I have co-introduced Senate Bill 1714, a measure that seeks to promote a new concept called ‘competency-based education.’ Competency-based education is a system where students may advance to higher levels of learning after demonstrating mastery of concepts and skills instead of after a specified time frame as is normally the case; in effect, students would be able to demonstrate subject area and grade level competency through various methods, such as performance on standardized tests, without having to enroll in and complete any corresponding courses.

Our current system of education essentially coerces our students into conforming to a system in which they are all expected to master the same subjects in the same way and in the same amount of time; competency-based learning addresses this flaw by allowing students to progress at a personalized pace.

In 2016, Florida dropped to number 30 in Education Week’s national ranking of state public school systems. As such, it would be wise for our state to explore new forms of teaching to reduce this trend; Senate Bill 1714 seeks to do just that.

OTHER SPONSORED BILLS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON:

SB 1230 (HB 1311): POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FEES

Senator Sachs with graduate assistants who came to show their support for SB 1230 when it passed in Committee.

Our graduate assistants collectively function as the very backbone of the university system. They work alongside faculty members to create knowledge within their respective disciplines and share that knowledge with our undergraduate students. Nevertheless, it is unfortunately becoming more and more difficult for our graduate assistants to continue with their work in light of increasing fees within the university system.

To help rectify this troubling situation, and in response to the many concerns and complaints that I received from dozens of graduate student assistants affected by these increasing fees, I sponsored and introduced my bill, Senate Bill 1230, this Session. The measure specifically waives certain fees that are normally charged to graduate student assistants in your university system.

In a wonderful show of solidarity, over 100 individuals came to show their support for Senate Bill 1230 when I introduced it and got it passed on a unanimous vote during its first Committee stop; unfortunately, however, that would ultimately end up being the farthest it would legislatively progress this Session. Nevertheless, I made a pledge on the Senate floor that I would reintroduce this bill for the next Legislative Session. Concerned graduate assistants can definitely expect to see this measure presented again in 2017; you are not forgotten.

Legislative Advocacy for Language Education

Expanding Language Offerings (2008)

Legislative Initiative: In 2008, Maria Sachs spearheaded a legislative effort to expand the availability of foreign language education in Florida’s public schools.

Rationale: Recognizing the importance of language skills in a global economy, Sachs emphasized the need for Florida’s educational system to adapt to the changing landscape.
Impact: This initiative dramatically increased the range of foreign languages available to students, introducing languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Farsi, and others alongside
traditional offerings like Spanish and French.

Legislation Highlights:

  • SB 1062/HB 207: Introduced by bipartisan lawmakers, this bill aimed to simplify the process for teachers to become certified in languages not commonly taught in classrooms.
  • SB 1908: This omnibus education bill included provisions from HB 207, facilitating easier access to certification for teachers of languages such as Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, and more.

Advocacy Beyond Legislation

Beyond legislative initiatives, Maria Sachs has been actively involved in promoting language education through various channels:

  • Community Engagement: Sachs collaborated with organizations such as the Sons of Italy in America and the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Florida to garner support for language education initiatives.
  • Educational Advocacy: Recognizing the importance of quality instruction, Sachs advocated for the development of certification tests for languages like Italian, Hebrew, and Chinese, ensuring standards for language instruction.

Empowering Florida’s Youth

Maria Sachs’s dedication to expanding language education reflects her commitment to preparing Florida’s youth for success in an increasingly globalized world. Through legislative advocacy and community engagement, she has championed initiatives that empower students with the linguistic and cultural competencies needed to thrive in the 21st century.