Charter schools. Florida needs to support independent charter schools that serve low-income neighborhoods, a charter advocate and attorney writes in the Miami Herald. Florida-based Charter Schools USA leads a turnaround effort in Indianapolis. WFYI.
Virtual school. Politico looks at the rise of virtual schooling in Florida and elsewhere.
Testing. Top lawmakers aim to create more testing flexibility in public schools. Tampa Bay Times. A public education advocate and charter school board member weighs in on testing in the Tallahassee Democrat.
Accountability. District leaders say they've lost confidence in the state's accountability system. Tampa Bay Times. Palm Beach Post. Orlando Sentinel. Sun-Sentinel. Tampa Tribune. Fort Myers News-Press. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Growth. Pasco public schools grow, with charter schools growing fastest. Gradebook.
Firearms. A Fort Walton Beach High School student is charged with bringing a loaded gun to school. Northwest Florida Daily News. A Jacksonville student is arrested for bringing an unloaded gun to school. Florida Times-Union.
Gifted. Duval schools look to bring more minority students into gifted programs. Florida Times-Union.
Inspiration. Malcolm X's daughter reads to children and urges them to honor African-American heritage. Tampa Tribune. A prominent designer returns to Broward schools to inspire black students. Sun-Sentinel. Brevard students get a visit from a WWE star. Florida Today.
School boards. Manatee's board is trying to set a new tone, its chairman writes. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Budgets. Gradebook breaks down district contracts in Hillsborough.
Access. Advocates complain about immigrant students' access to Collier schools. Naples Daily News.
Twitter. South Florida principals say they like to engage on social media. Palm Beach Post.
Transportation. Palm Beach bus woes continue. Palm Beach Post. Marion's bus drivers union tangles with the district over sleep apnea screening. Ocala Star-Banner. A car and a school bus collide. Pensacola News-Journal.
Audits. The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind will seek an external review. St. Augustine Record.
After school. A Girls on the Run program aims to build confidence in middle-school students. Pensacola News-Journal. Volusia students get after-school suppers. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Reading. A St. Johns program helps kindergartners close the gap. St. Augustine Record.
Controversy. Okaloosa schools debate Confederate flag belts. Northwest Florida Daily News.
STEM. A Manatee student starts a prosthetics company. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
