Testing: The vice chairman of the Florida Board of Education is criticizing the way the Department of Education trumpeted fourth and eighth grade test results that declined by several important measures after years of improvement. Tampa Bay Times. Duval County schools were near the top of urban school districts in math and reading, according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report. Jacksonville Times-Union. Hillsborough County eighth graders' scores in reading and math proficiency have declined since 2011, although the latest results still outpace their peers, according to the NAEP report. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune. Florida's eighth graders' math test scores dropped more than most states'. Sun-Sentinel. Only 26 percent of Florida eighth graders are proficient in math. Bridge to Tomorrow. Angry parents tell the state Board of Education that the emphasis on testing is draining the joy of learning from their children. Sun-Sentinel.
Charter schools: The Pasco County School Board has rejected an application from one of Florida's largest charter school operators, Charter Schools USA. Tampa Bay Times.
Virtual schools: Oregon has started an online school program, using the curriculum from the Florida Virtual School and other online education sources. Argus Observer.
Police intervention: State Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, hopes his bill eliminating the term "zero tolerance" from schools will be better received the next legislative session, after the incident in South Carolina where an officer dragged a girl from a classroom. WFSU.
Pre-K readiness: Ongoing technology problems may mean another year's delay in the pre-K readiness rates report, according to the executive director of Florida's Office of Early Learning. Jacksonville Times-Union.
Calendars: The Manatee County School Board has tentatively approved starting schools Aug. 10 in 2016 and 2017. Bradenton Herald.
Substitute teachers: Manatee County school officials say a new incentive program has significantly cut the need for substitute teachers. The plan pays teachers more for unused time off. Bradenton Herald. Manatee is competitive in its pay for substitute teachers, according to a recent analysis. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
School grants: Select schools in Brevard County will get $135,000 from Northrop Grumman for STEM labs. Florida Today.
Texting accusations: The Hernando County School District's transportation director has been suspended without pay after he was accused of sending inappropriate texts on his district cellphone to a female employee in his department. Tampa Bay Times.
Injury settlement: A football player who suffered a brain injury while playing for Wharton High will receive $2 million in a settlement from the Hillsborough County School Board. Tampa Tribune.
School location: An online petition drive is aimed at persuading Lee County school officials not to build a high school on land abutting gated subdivisions. Fort Myers News-Press.
Private school fair: About 20 private schools in the Tampa Bay area are holding a school fair Sunday to show off their programs to parents. Tampa Bay Times.
Student enrichment: Students at Pasco County's Weightman Middle School use teamwork and simple building materials to create working robots, airplanes and more. Tampa Bay Times. Lecanto Middle School has its own "Geek Squad" of students who are helping adults learn how to use iPads. Citrus County Chronicle. A teacher has started a mythology club at Hernando's Gulf Coast Middle School to "spark academic curiosity." Tampa Bay Times. Animals in the classroom can give students a hands-on opportunity for learning. Miami Herald. Palm Beach County students have a chance to pitch their ideas to solve community issues and social problems in a Shark Tank-like competition. Palm Beach Post.
