DeSantis Proposes Higher Pay and a Bill of Rights For Florida’s Teachers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed teacher pay hikes, a teachers bill of rights and new restrictions on teachers' unions on January 23, 2022 in a speech in Jacksonville, Fla. Here, striking Chicago school teachers and their supporters demonstrate on Oct. 17, 2019. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a battery of education measures on Jan. 23 that he said would empower teachers, raise their pay, shorten term limits for school board members, and protect teachers from overreaching unions or school districts.

Speaking at a charter school in Jacksonville, DeSantis ticked off points in the proposed legislation. Key among them will be keeping funds targeted for teacher pay rises from being used for any other purposes.