Charter schools. The Broward school board says 'no' to a charter school collaboration grant. Sun-Sentinel. A military-style charter in Osceola prepares to close at the end of the month. Central Florida News 13.
Special needs. A Jacksonville private school for children with special needs launches a fundraising effort that would allow it to double enrollment. Florida Times-Union. WLRN looks at Senate President Gardiner's efforts to help children with special needs.
School choice. The fate of many students is decided in a quite room in district offices, where district officials conduct a school choice lottery. Palm Beach Post. Families of means can exercise school choice by moving, Wendy Rivera writes in the Orlando Sentinel.
Testing. Computer security experts say attacks on Florida's standardized testing system may be acts of "hacktivism." Palm Beach Post. Some school district officials affirm the state's claim of a "cyberattack" on testing systems is legitimate; district IT staff are still working to fend them off. Tampa Bay Times. Miami Herald. Attacks and other glitches may hurt the tests' credibility. Tampa Bay Times. Marion schools plan to add "testing facilitators." Ocala Star-Banner.
Mental health. Duval schools plan to use a grant to place psychologists or social workers in every middle school. Florida Times-Union.
Sunshine. Palm Beach school board members hold a legally "questionable" private meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Palm Beach Post.
Superintendents. The Broward school board gives strong ratings to Superintendent Robert Runcie. Sun-Sentinel.
Budgets. Manatee schools plan to add staff and boost salaries. Bradenton Herald. The Leon County School Board approves salary increases. Tallahassee Democrat.
Employee conduct. Some Broward district employees were subjects of investigations they didn't know about, carried out by unqualified employees. Sun-Sentinel. A Manatee district employee is awarded $75,000 after school board members agree she faced retaliation in the wake of an abuse scandal. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
School boards. The Collier school board revises a controversial "personal remarks" policy. Naples Daily News.
