Report Detail - OPPAGA

Department of Education

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For assistance, call (850) 245-0505 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/contact-us

What is the purpose of the department?

The purpose of the Florida Department of Education is to support the implementation and oversight of the state’s Early Learning–20 education system in order to increase the proficiency of all students by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.

How is the department governed?

In accordance with art. IX, s. 2 of the Florida Constitution, the system of free public education in Florida is governed by the State Board of Education. The state board is the chief implementing and coordinating body with a focus on high-level policy decisions for Early Learning–20 public education and consists of seven members of state residents appointed by the Governor to staggered four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The state board appoints the commissioner of education, who serves as the executive director of the Department of Education.

District school boards provide operational control and supervision of all public schools in their respective districts, while the district school superintendent administers and manages schools and supervises instruction. School principals are responsible for the administration of schools; supervision of instruction; and providing leadership in the development, revision, and implementation of a school improvement plan.

What activities are performed by the department?

The department's activities include the following.

Early Learning provides accessible, affordable, and quality early learning services for the state’s children and families through three programs: School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten, and Child Care Resource and Referral.
K-12 Public Schools supports educators and school districts to provide a high-quality educational experience through several units. Educator Quality oversees educator certification; investigates alleged educator misconduct; provides resources that promote the recruitment, preparation, development, and recognition of educators. Exceptional Education and Student Services administers programs and grants to support students with disabilities including gifted education; Just Read, Florida! oversees implementation of the state’s English language arts standards and provides resources to support educators and parents; and Standards and Instructional Support oversees implementation of the state’s other academic standards and provides resources to support instruction and instructional materials and library media. School Improvement oversees the implementation of the state’s system of school improvement; supports low-performing schools through on-site, regional school improvement specialists; and grants federal educational program funds to school districts to support students in low-income and rural schools and children who are neglected, delinquent, at-risk, migratory, or homeless.
School Choice provides information, assistance, and scholarship programs for a variety of school choice options through charter schools, private schools, virtual education programs, and other choice options.
Safe Schools supports school districts in providing a safe learning environment for students and educators through use of the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool, dissemination of best practices, distribution of funding and grants, and the collection and reporting of discipline data.
Career and Adult Education facilitates collaborative partnership between public and private sectors to deliver quality workforce education through school districts, district technical colleges and centers, and Florida state colleges.
Florida Colleges provides access to high-quality, affordable academic and career educational programs. See the Florida College System summary for more information regarding the system’s governance and activities.
Blind Services supports blind and visually impaired individuals to overcome barriers through a variety of programs including early-intervention education to children from birth to age five, transition programs for individuals transitioning from school to work or higher education, independent living programs to help individuals live with a maximum degree of self-direction.
Vocational Rehabilitation assists eligible individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment and enhance their independence through services such as career counseling and guidance, diagnostics and evaluations, job search and placement assistance, job training, rehabilitation technology, and transportation.
Accountability, Research, and Measurement oversees the department’s data collection and reporting systems, accountability processes, and statewide student assessment programs, and conducts research to inform education policy decisions.
Finance and Operations directs and supervises legislative and operating budgets, including the Florida Education Finance Program allocations; provides support and information related to educational facilities planning, funding, construction, and operations; and provides assistance, training, and monitoring services for school districts related to school business services.
Technology and Innovation oversees technology planning and management, educational technology, data center operations, applications development and support, and end-user support.

How are these activities funded?

The funding information listed below is provided by Transparency Florida. Please contact the department for more information on its funding. Additional information about department funding and activities is available on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal.

Funding sources for public education include state general revenue and trust funds, including lottery funds; local revenue, almost entirely derived from property taxes; and federal funds that typically supplement state and local funds. The primary mechanism for funding Florida school districts is the Florida Education Finance Program, which recognizes variances in (1) local property tax bases; (2) education program costs; (3) costs of living; and (4) costs for equivalent educational programs due to sparsity and dispersion of the student population.

Fiscal Year: 2025-26

	Fund	Salary Rate/ Position	General Revenue	Trust Funds
SALARY RATE		61,684,814
POSITIONS		914.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			32,065,290
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			9,042,484
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			5,902,680
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			3,774,050
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			17,436,340
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			4,160,795
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			3,404,172
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			98,249
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			373,826
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			513,566
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			7,425,116
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			313,512
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			199,054
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			103,040
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			44,160
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			482,955
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			235,298
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			26,507
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			5,311
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			61,251
EXPENSES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			3,457,465
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			1,406,375
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,090,901
	FROM EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY TRUST FUND			133,426
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			898,664
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			1,703,663
	FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND			48,433
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			514,776
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			800,556
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			26,050
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			295,667
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			135,350
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			606,077
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			45,970
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			144,428
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			7,440
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			15,000
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			241,756
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			16,375
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			55,960
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			6,000
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			5,000
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			3,150
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			47,921
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			81,311,120
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			2,315,367
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			40,153,877
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			10,421,655
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			480,627
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			41,270,104
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			739,054
	FROM CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TRUST FUND			300,000
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,402,736
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			488,200
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			2,376,770
	FROM GRANTS AND DONATIONS TRUST FUND			50,000
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			405,405
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			14,009,208
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			19,893
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			374,193
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			42,250
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			1,043,604
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
FLORIDA ACCOUNTING INFORMATION RESOURCE (FLAIR) SYSTEM REPLACEMENT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			1,102,222
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			114,589
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			16,939,182
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY RESILIENCY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			187,096
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			532,497
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			200,000
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			255,161
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			81,261
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			75,610
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			18,536
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			157,978
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			27,632
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			35,895
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			764
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			2,291
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			2,827
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			66,827
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT - NEW WORLDS READING INITIATIVE
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			12,496,976
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			115,915
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			22,216
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			22,419
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			12,072
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			76,116
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			9,476
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			45,692
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			314
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			2,966
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			1,849
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			27,370
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			6,114,678
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			1,808,332
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			1,378,034
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			358,201
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			4,010,631
	FROM INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT TRUST FUND			366,906
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			1,301,794
	FROM NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS TRUST FUND			31,463
	FROM OPERATING TRUST FUND			101,042
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			74,701
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			1,326,902
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
NORTHWEST REGIONAL DATA CENTER (NWRDC)
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND			3,794,324
	FROM ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			105,225
	FROM EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE TRUST FUND			90,841
	FROM DIVISION OF UNIVERSITIES FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATIVE TRUST FUND			12,135
	FROM FEDERAL GRANTS TRUST FUND			425,543
	FROM STUDENT LOAN OPERATING TRUST FUND			771,463
	FROM TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION TRUST FUND			39,450
	FROM WORKING CAPITAL TRUST FUND			5,525,980
TOTAL			199,949,642	154,899,874

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Where can I find information on the department's performance?

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Additional Resources

OPPAGA Products
A complete list of OPPAGA reports and presentations is available on our website.

Other Reports
Florida Department of Education, PK-12 Public School Data Publications and Reports
Division of Early Learning Annual Report, Florida Department of Education, 2023–24
Office of Inspector General Annual Report, Florida Department of Education, 2023–24
Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Strategic Plan, Florida Department of Education, 2020–25
A complete list of Florida Auditor General reports is available on its website.

Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Education, Resiliency Florida
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Farm to School
Florida State University, CPALMS (Collaborate Plan Align Learn Motivate Share)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Schools
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National School Lunch Program
U.S. Department of Education, Engage Every Student Initiative
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education, What Works Clearinghouse

Applicable Statutes

Article IX of the Florida Constitution and Title XLVIII, Florida Statutes

Department Contact Information

Florida Department of Education Contact Website
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6533
(850) 245-0505
Website