Orlando, FL: Today, the Florida State Board of Education voted to implement two rules that would exclude undocumented students from Florida’s public colleges and adult education programs. The Board set aside only 30 minutes for public commentary and limited public testimony to 1 minute each. Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani was present on the conference call line to testify in opposition to these new rules. All public testimony was in opposition. Unfortunately, the Board still voted to pass each rule with only one nay vote.
Here is Representative Dr. Eskamani’s statement in response:
“Today’s vote was incredibly disappointing but sadly expected. These rules contradict the Legislature’s intent and exceed the Department’s rulemaking authority by adding immigration-status requirements not found in the governing statutes. It also conflicts with our constitutional duty to educate all children and with the federal student-privacy law (FERPA). These changes will also cost Florida’s colleges roughly $15 million a year, while pushing motivated and passionate learners out of the workforce. We will continue to advocate and fight for all our students, especially since the Board of Governors is now moving forward with the same rule change.”
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Today, the Florida State Board of Education voted to implement two rules that would exclude undocumented students from Florida’s public colleges and adult education programs. The Board set aside only 30 minutes for public commentary and limited public testimony to 1 minute each. Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani was present on the conference call line to testify in opposition to these new rules. All public testimony was in opposition. Unfortunately, the Board still voted to pass each rule with only one nay vote.
Here is Representative Dr. Eskamani’s statement in response:
“Today’s vote was incredibly disappointing but sadly expected. These rules contradict the Legislature’s intent and exceed the Department’s rulemaking authority by adding immigration-status requirements not found in the governing statutes. It also conflicts with our constitutional duty to educate all children and with the federal student-privacy law (FERPA). These changes will also cost Florida’s colleges roughly $15 million a year, while pushing motivated and passionate learners out of the workforce. We will continue to advocate and fight for all our students, especially since the Board of Governors is now moving forward with the same rule change.”
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“La votación de hoy fue profundamente decepcionante, aunque lamentablemente no fue una sorpresa. Estas normas contradicen la intención de la Legislatura y exceden la autoridad reglamentaria del Departamento al imponer requisitos sobre el estatus migratorio que no existen en la legislación vigente. Además, entran en conflicto con nuestro deber constitucional de garantizar la educación para todos los estudiantes y con la ley federal de privacidad estudiantil (FERPA).
Estos cambios también le costarán aproximadamente $15 millones al año a las universidades y colegios públicos de Florida, al mismo tiempo que expulsan de nuestra fuerza laboral a estudiantes motivados y con un enorme potencial. Seguiremos defendiendo y luchando por todos nuestros estudiantes, especialmente ahora que la Junta de Gobernadores también avanza con la implementación de este mismo cambio normativo.”