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. In accordance with Article 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 of Education isthe chief implementing and coordinating body with a focus on high-level policy decisions for Early Learning-20 public education. The citizen board consists of seven members who are 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.

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, and 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.

The funding information listed below is provided by Transparency Florida. Additional funding information can be obtained on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal or by contacting the department.

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.

Information on the department’s performance may be found in its Strategic Plan.

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
Florida Department of Education, Florida School Accountability Reports
Division of Early Learning Annual Report, Florida Department of Education, 2024-25
Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship Annual Report, Florida Department of Education, 2024-25
Office of Inspector General Annual Report, Florida Department of Education, 2024-25
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)
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

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

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