JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Governor DeSantis announced school grades for the 2024-25 academic year and highlighted statewide progress monitoring testing. Continuing the trend from 2023-24, improvements were seen in K-12 school performance grades across all school types, including 71% of all graded schools (2,461 schools) earning either an “A” or “B” grade, compared to 64% (2,215) of schools last year. Florida charter schools are also thriving with 77% earning “A” or “B” grades.

For information about positive results from Florida’s progress monitoring testing, refer to this press release.

“Florida’s use of statewide progress monitoring is yet another example of how Florida leads on education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Providing more opportunities for parents and teachers to intervene in a child’s performance in school leads to better outcomes and a higher quality education.”

“This year’s school grades demonstrate that Florida’s focus on the future of education has paid off,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has implemented innovative strategies like progress monitoring and provided students with the choices they need to succeed. The 2025 school grades are a reflection of the nation-leading education reforms that Florida has implemented.”

“Florida has laid the blueprint for educational success in America,” said Incoming Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “These school grades are another example of how our approach is working.” Continue reading →

SARASOTA, Fla.—Today, Governor DeSantis announced Florida has earned the #1 spot on the First Liberty Institute’s Religious Liberty in the States Index. The “Religious Liberty in the States Index” is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed comparison of how all 50 states protect religious liberty through law. The index offers the most comprehensive legal analysis of religious liberty protections across all 50 states, evaluating factors such as religious exemptions, protections for religious organizations and schools, and the freedom of individuals to live out their faith in both public and private life.

“Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism—and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We’re grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute, which has just named Florida the #1 state in the nation for protecting religious liberty. Religious liberty is critical to the foundation and function of America, and I am proud that Florida excels in protecting this right.”

Florida has championed policies and legislation that have protected religious freedom for Floridians.

Washington, D.C. – The .S. House of Representatives passed the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, a landmark, bipartisan bill that protects Americans with disabilites from being denied life-saving organ transplants solely based on their disability. This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), ensures that disability is never used as a barrier to receiving critical medical care.

This bill upholds, clarifies, and builds upon protections established under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. It prohibits discrimination by covered entities–including hospitals, transplant centers, and insurance providers–in the organ transplant process.

Specifically, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Act bars the following actions solely based on disability:  Continue reading →