Educational Services in Department of Juvenile Justice Programs

Florida law requires that the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, local school district boards, and providers, establish “[o]bjective and measurable student performance measures to evaluate a student’s educational progress while participating in a prevention, day treatment, or residential program” and a “performance rating system . . . to evaluate the delivery of educational services within each of the juvenile justice programs.” The law further requires the performance measures be tailored to the unique circumstances of incarcerated youth. The performance measures shall be used to develop a “comprehensive accountability and program improvement process” that recognizes high performing programs. The FLDOE must establish timeframes and procedures and identify resources for improving or terminating low-rated education programs. FLDOE and FLDJJ must report progress annually to the state legislature and the governor.