Testing. A state panel begins its work searching for a vendor to study the validity of state assessments. Naples Daily News. Gradebook. New state testing and accountability legislation has educators pondering the future of the state’s new end-of-course assessments. Ocala Star-Banner. Leon County’s schools superintendent writes Gov. Rick Scott, asking that he ease the use of state testing results from this spring. Tallahassee Democrat. Testing can be put to good use, a former principal writes in the Tallahassee Democrat.
Charter schools. Escambia schools officials present the results of a charter school investigation to the school board. Pensacola News-Journal.
Budgets. A legislative impasse complicates schools’ budgeting decisions. Keynoter.
School boards. A new outside group aims to change the political direction of the Collier County School Board. Naples Daily News.
Closures. A rural community anxiously awaits its school’s fate. Gainesville Sun.
Top scholars. The valedictorian at a St. Petersburg private school is named a presidential scholar. Tampa Tribune.
Controversy. Naples High School’s yearbook takes heat over a stereotypical portrayal of Hispanics. Naples Daily News.
Teacher quality. National board certification becomes less common in Florida. Does it matter? Tampa Bay Times.
Administration. Hillsborough schools will seek input from parents, teachers and others in the community on new principal hires. Tampa Tribune.
Botany. Rare orchids grown in a lab are transplanted onto trees kept by a Miami-Dade magnet school. Associated Press.
Arts. A blind and deaf artist offers new perspective to students at a renowned arts margnet. Palm Beach Post.
Teacher conduct. A Broward teacher is arrested on pot-smuggling charges. Sun-Sentinel.
Student health. A stomach illness strikes a Brevard elementary school. Florida Today.
Watchdogs. The Manatee school board will not renew the contract of an embattled internal watchdog. Bradenton Herald.
