Double investment in digital learning initiatives
Rick Scott
"Governor Scott will propose to double down on Florida's investment in digital learning initiatives for school districts from $40 million to $80 million."
Scott-O-Meter
Promise Kept
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During his 2014 re-election campaign, Gov. Rick Scott made several education-related promises including that he would double digital learning initiatives for K-12
He wanted more money for projects such as improving school district information technology infrastructure, increasing bandwidth and providing computers for students.
Scott requested doubling the amount for digital learning from $40 million to $80 million in his 2015-16 budget proposal. But the Legislature approved a smaller increase for a total of $60 million.
The amount grew to $80 million for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 fiscal years.
It then dropped down to $70 million for 2018-19, the last budget over which he has influence.
Scott was able to get the Legislature to double the original amount for two legislative sessions. As he leaves office, funding is 75 percent higher than when he started his second term.
That's enough to give Scott a Promise Kept.
Interview, Meghan Collins, Florida Department of Education spokeswoman, Nov. 20, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott made several education-related promises during his re-election campaign including doubling digital learning initiatives for school districts.
The money would go to various projects, such as improving school district information technology infrastructure, increasing bandwidth and providing computers for students.
Scott requested doubling the amount for digital learning from $40 million to $80 million in his 2015-16 budget proposal. In the end, the Legislature approved a smaller increase for a total of $60 million.
Scott has proposed a $20 million increase for a total of $80 million for the 2016-17 budget.
We will have to see how the Legislature reacts to his proposal during the upcoming session, which starts Jan. 12, but for now we continue to rate this In the Works.
Gov. Rick Scott, "Gov. Rick Scott signs the 'Keep Florida Working' budget," June 23, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott, Florida First budget, Nov. 23, 2015
PolitiFact's Scott-O-Meter, Education promises, Accessed Dec. 21, 2015
Interview, Jeri Bustamante, Gov. Rick Scott spokeswoman, Dec. 16, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott promised during his re-election campaign to double digital learning initiatives for school districts from $40 million to $80 million.
"The more that our students are using digital (technology), there's a greater chance that they will be ahead of the game," Scott said in August 2014.
The Legislature budgeted $40 million for digital learning in 2014-15, the first year for that particular line item. (The previous year there were $17 million in grants for wireless and bandwidth upgrades.) Scott proposed doubling that amount in his 2015-16 budget released in January. The money will go toward improving school district information technology infrastructure, increasing bandwidth and providing computers for students.
Each school district will get $500,000, and the remainder will be allocated based on student population.
We will have to wait to see how the Legislature, which convenes March 3, reacts to his proposal but for now we rate it In the Works.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, 2015-16 budget proposal, January 2015
Tampa Bay Times, "Governor proposes review of education standards, testing Scott wants schools to review," Aug. 26, 2014
Tallahassee Democrat, "Digital Dilemma," Feb. 21, 2014
Interview, Cheryl Etters, Florida Department of Education spokeswoman, Feb. 3, 2015