Filed House bill would establish ‘Florida Scholars Academy’ for incarcerated teenagers

by | Feb 20, 2023



  • House Bill 939 proposes the establishment of the “Florida Scholars Academy” within the Department of Juvenile Justice to offer educational opportunities for teenagers serving criminal sentences in a juvenile residential facility.
  • The program aims to provide incarcerated students with a chance to earn a high school diploma or equivalency diploma, enroll in a degree program at a state college or university, or earn industry-recognized credentials.
  • The Florida Scholars Academy would be required to enter into a contractual agreement with an education service provider and would be managed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor. The bill requests $12 million in annual funding to support the program.

Rep. Berny Jacques filed House Bill 939 on Monday, which seeks to establish the “Florida Scholars Academy” within the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). If approved, it would offer educational opportunities for teenagers serving criminal sentences in a juvenile residential facility.

The program would provide incarcerated students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma or equivalency diploma, enroll in a degree program at a state college or university, or earn industry-recognized credentials. The academy would not be made available to student-aged individuals serving a sentence in an adult facility.

Under the bill, the Florida Scholars Academy would be required to “enter into a contractual agreement with an education service provider with a proven track record of success.” The provider would be accountable for administering all educational services to the academy’s enrolled students.

“The mission of the academy is to provide a free and appropriate high-quality education for eligible students within the juvenile justice system,” the bill reads. “The academy shall provide students with greater access to secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities than is presently available, including pathways to attain a high school diploma … to prepare students for gainful employment as productive citizens upon their exit from the juvenile justice system.”

Additionally, the bill outlines a five-member Board of Trustees that would manage the academy’s daily operations. The Board would include the DJJ secretary or a designee, the appointed superintendent of the Florida Scholars Academy, and three members appointed by the governor.

The trustees would be required to meet at least four times each year and would be responsible for the academy’s financial and academic development. Each board member would serve for a term of four years.

The bill also requests $12 million in annual funding to support the program.

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous

    Who will help get them employed? Even the state will not hire those with a criminal record.

 

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