Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts. Florida’s incoming Senate President criticizes a lawsuit against school choice legislation, writing that empowering parents has helped special needs students improve achievement. Tampa Tribune.
School choice. More Southwest Florida parents are seeking out alternatives to traditional public schools. Fort Myers News-Press.
Dual enrollment. Hillsborough Community College plans to open a satellite location at a high school to give students more access to college-level courses. Tampa Tribune.
Performance. Pinellas looks to improve performance at some of the state’s most struggling schools. Tampa Tribune. Manatee County improves its performance relative to other districts. Bradenton Herald.
Campaigns. Manatee’s superintendent fears an upcoming election could affect his future with the district. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Manatee teachers union weighs in on races. Bradenton Herald. The Tampa Bay Times recommends an incumbent Hillsborough school board member be replaced. Political consultants get involved in school board races. Orlando Sentinel. A teacher and son of Palm Beach County’s first black board member challenges an incumbent. Palm Beach Post. Gubernatorial hopeful Nan Rich continues to mention vouchers in her primary challenge against Charlie Crist. Tampa Tribune.
Facilities. A K-8 magnet school is building a new outdoor learning center. Winter Haven News Chief. School playgrounds will have to stop using beach sand. Panama City News Herald.
Immigration. School officials prepare for an influx of migrant children. Watchdog.Org.
Back to school. A coming sales tax holiday is expected to be a boon for retailers. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Security. Southwest Florida schools officials debate funding for resource officers. Fort Myers News-Press.
Reading. A total of 26 Hillsborough schools will be required to add an hour of reading. Tampa Tribune. More Escambia schools will face that requirement than the district expected. Pensacola News-Journal. The Florida Department of Education clarifies the new rule for districts. Gradebook.
Drama. A Tony-winning actor works with students in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach Post.
Special needs. A newly promoted Duval administrator faces questions about his previous job overseeing the exceptional education department. Florida Times-Union.
