Charter schools. Palm Beach County charter schools say it would be an “injustice” for the school district not to share revenue from a tax levy that helps fund art and music programs. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. An Okaloosa charter school is starting a new program for fourth and fifth graders who struggle in a traditional environment. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Private schools. Palm Beach County officials agree to help a high-priced private school sell tax-free bonds. Palm Beach Post.
Teacher quality. A study finds higher rates of absenteeism among Duval and Orange County teachers. StateImpact. Florida Times-Union. WJCT.
Politics. Gov. Rick Scott and challenger Charlie Crist both twist facts in education-related political attacks. Associated Press. WFTV.
Digital learning. Less than two in five Florida school districts meet state goals for high-speed and wireless Internet access. StateImpact.
Reading instruction. A bill signed this week by Gov. Rick Scott would add extra reading hours in more struggling schools. EdWeek.
Graduation. A Pinellas senior is honored for an academic turnaround. Tampa Tribune. The Pasco school board considers doing away with valedictorians and other traditional honors. Tampa Bay Times. A Duval graduate had to overcome abuse. Florida Times-Union.
Superintendents. Alachua County hires its first black superintendent. Gainesville Sun. The Lee County school approves a contract extension. Naples Daily News. The Flagler school board sets a lower salary for its new hire. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
School boards. Voters could add more members to the Lee County board. Fort Myers News-Press.
Substitutes. The Hillsborough school district plans to outsource substitute teacher assignments. Tampa Tribune.
Contracts. A second Leon County Schools administrator becomes a whistle-blower in an unfolding procurement scandal. Tallahassee Democrat.
Student conduct. A senior prank leads to four arrests in Pinellas. Tampa Bay Times.
Employee conduct. Testimony winds down in a legal fight over an administrator’s firing. Bradenton Herald.