Tampabay.com
MARCH 05, 2008

Same-sex classrooms bill moves forward

Florida schools would be allowed to offer same-sex classrooms, under a proposed Senate bill (0242) that passed out of its second committee this morning and is headed to the Senate floor for a vote.

Similar legislation was challenged in Louisiana in 2006, and Sen. Steve Geller wondered aloud whether Florida might face a similar court battle. But Sen. Mike Fasano noted that it would be voluntary, not required, for parents to place their children in a gender-segregated classroom.

The companion legislation is moving through the House.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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