TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to give nearly 45,000 teachers a bonus of more than $9,000 in the coming year.
DeSantis on Thursday visited a Hillsborough County high school where he announced plans to help the state recruit and retain teachers. He wants the Florida Legislature to set aside $422 million for the program, which would also offer bonuses to principals.
Recommended Videos
“This renewed investment will reward highly effective teachers and principals across our state who are making a positive impact in our students' lives," DeSantis said. "We are also proposing a new recruitment program to bolster the educational ranks of our schools and ensure our students are receiving the best education possible.”
Florida currently gives bonuses to highly-effective teachers who also scored well on their college entrance exams. DeSantis wants to eliminate the college entrance exam requirement from the Best and Brightest program.
DeSantis' proposal would cost the state more than double the current bonus program.
The Republican governor also wants $10 million to pay the college tuition of teachers who agree to teach in Florida for five years.