Landmark plan gives every Florida student a clear path from middle school to career — college, trade, military, or entrepreneurship
Byron Donalds announced Student Success Plans, a policy that would give every Florida student a personalized academic and career roadmap starting no later than 6th grade, with education dollars that follow the student wherever their path leads.
Florida employers are projected to generate 900,000 net new jobs by 2030, yet too many students are graduating without a clear path into them. Donalds’ plan would retool existing 6–12 grade requirements so every student receives a living plan built with their parents and school, treating college, trade, military, and entrepreneurship pathways as equally resourced and equally respected.
“Florida doesn’t just want to graduate students, we want to launch them into success,” said Byron Donalds. “We know there is no one-size-fits-all student, and there shouldn’t be one pathway to a career. Whether your kid wants to build rockets, run a business, or become a nurse, Florida is going to meet them where they are and get them where they want to go.”
Under the plan, every student’s roadmap would be built in partnership with their parents, not bureaucrats, and updated annually. Stackable credits including dual enrollment, industry certifications, and apprenticeships would count toward graduation. Students who change course won’t lose time or money.
The plan also incorporates employer partnerships through industry partners, co-designing career tracks so academic credentials produce real-world value.
