Charter schools. Jacksonville’s Acclaim Academy charter school closes its doors ahead of schedule, angering parents. WJXT. First Coast News.
Testing. Schools often interrupt their normal flow of classes to make way for computer-based testing. Miami Herald. Pasco parents seek clarification on testing rules. Tamp Bay Times. Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell goads lawmakers on testing and says parents should do the same. The Palm Beach Post looks at the student who fueled a TV comedian’s anti-testing diatribe.
Employee conduct. A Mavericks High principal is caught with a student in a car full of marijuana. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. A high school teacher is suspended after being arrested for assault. Bradenton Herald.
Turnarounds. Volusia school officials plan big changes at a struggling middle school. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Private schools. A Bradenton Episcopal school plans a major marine science center. Bradenton Herald.
School lunch. An audit finds some schools in Florida and elsewhere are giving free or reduced-price lunches to students to students who do not qualify. McLatchy.
Scholarships. Orange County high school seniors win Broad Prize scholarships. Orlando Sentinel.
Technology. The Pasco school district puts a temporary hold on technology purchases. Gradebook.
Attendance. A new Broward polciy would allow students with unexcused absences to turn in makeup work. Sun-Sentinel. The Pasco school board looks to tackle absenteeism. Tampa Tribune.
Awards. A Hillsborough teacher learns she’s a statewide Teacher of the Year finalist. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune.
Transportation. Pasco schools consider a switch to natural gas buses. Tampa Bay Times.
Extracurricular activities. Teams from Pasco County head to the worldwide Odyssey of the Mind finals. Tampa Bay Times.
Security. A 19-year-old man is arrested for calling in a high school bomb threat. Orlando Sentinel.