TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  - A Florida House panel is the next focus

of a heated debate over legislation that would make it easier to

fire teachers and tie their pay to student test scores.

The Education Policy Council is scheduled for nearly eight hours

of hearings Monday on the teacher bill (HB 7189) and a measure

increasing high school graduation requirements (HB 7053).

The Senate has passed similar bills.

Teachers, parents and students have flooded the Capitol with

calls and e-mail against the teacher pay and tenure bill.

Demonstrations also have been held around around the state and one

teacher has written a protest song.

The debate has been largely partisan with most Republicans

backing the bill and Democrats solidly against it.