The Legislature and the Department of Education have taken steps recommended in our 2003 report to reduce instructional materials costs. The Legislature authorized a pilot program which enabled select school districts to purchase used, state-adopted materials. The three participating districts reported a cost savings of $84,000; we recommend that this pilot project be extended.
In addition, the Department of Education has taken steps to ensure that all districts receive equivalent free instructional materials from publishers. The department also has taken steps to establish penalties for publishers who fail to deliver instructional materials in a timely manner. However, additional cost savings could be achieved if school districts were authorized to purchase state-adopted textbooks from one another, and to purchase state-adopted materials directly from publishers.

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.