(1) Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program is created within the Department of Education for a period of 3 school years. The purpose of the pilot program is to assist selected school districts in implementing comprehensive music education programs for students in kindergarten through grade 2.

(2) In order for a school district to be eligible for participation in the pilot program, the superintendent must certify to the Commissioner of Education, in a format prescribed by the department, that each elementary school within the district has established a comprehensive music education program that:

(a) Includes all students at the school enrolled in kindergarten through grade 2.

(b) Is staffed by certified music educators.

(c) Provides music instruction for at least 30 consecutive minutes 2 days a week.

(d) Complies with class size requirements under s. 1003.03.

(e) Complies with the department’s standards for early childhood music education programs for students in kindergarten through grade 2.

(3)(a) The commissioner shall select school districts for participation in the pilot program, subject to legislative appropriation, based on the school district’s proximity to the University of Florida and needs-based criteria established by the State Board of Education. Selected school districts shall annually receive $150 per full-time equivalent student in kindergarten through grade 2 who is enrolled in a comprehensive music education program.

(b) To maintain eligibility for participation in the pilot program, a selected school district must annually certify to the commissioner, in a format prescribed by the department, that each elementary school within the district provides a comprehensive music education program that meets the requirements of subsection (2). If a selected school district fails to provide the annual certification for a fiscal year, the school district must return all funds received through the pilot program for that fiscal year.

(4) The University of Florida’s College of Education shall evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program by measuring student academic performance and the success of the program. The evaluation must include, but is not limited to, a quantitative analysis of student achievement and a qualitative evaluation of students enrolled in the comprehensive music education programs.

(5) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to administer this section.

(6) This section expires June 30, 2020.

History.—s. 69, ch. 2017-116.