Constitution revisions. Another panel working to rewrite Florida's constitution has advanced a proposal that would allow "charter districts." Under the proposal, entire school districts could enjoy some charter-school-like freedom from state education regulations. Bay News 9. Gradebook.
Sky is the limit. A student who grew up in foster care overcame obstacles and found engagement through Hialeah High School's Advanced Placement capstone program. He's now headed to Syracuse University with a scholarship. WTVJ.
Arrests. A series of arrests and mandatory psych evaluations of elementary-school students for behavior issues prompt growing parent concerns. Miami Herald.
Legislation. HB 7055, a bill creating new private school choice programs, among many other things, could dominate the agenda in Tallahassee this week. Associated Press. Reporters discuss the measure on a podcast. Gradebook. The Orlando Sentinel argues lawmakers should increase regulation of existing scholarship programs before creating new ones in a new editorial. (Step Up For Students, which publishes this blog, helps administer the Florida Tax Credit and Gardiner Scholarship programs.) Meanwhile, the Senate passes a bill allowing lawmakers to visit any public school. WFSU.
Elections. An anti-testing activist and a third-grade teacher join growing slates of hopefuls for Pasco County School Board seats. Gradebook. A 17-year-old is running to become Marion County Schools Superintendent. Ocala Star-Banner.
He's back. A longtime no-show Seminole County School Board member who suffered health problems says he will call into meetings. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher evaluations. There are wide disparities in the proportions of top-rated teachers in different South Florida school districts. Teachers argue this is unfair, and they're calling for change. Sun-Sentinel.
Top teachers. Duval's Teacher of the Year moved up with the same students for three years in a row. Colleagues say she was instrumental in her school's rise from a B to a D. Florida Times-Union.
Schools of Hope. House Speaker Richard Corcoran's signature initiative could benefit from gambling legislation. redefinED.
Good manners. Two Walton County students are headed to Atlanta for a national manners competition. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Juvenile offenders. Jacksonville justice officials hear about how education can turn young people's lives around. Florida Times-Union.
Intimidation. A series of assaults involving Palm Beach high school students get captured on video and circulated on social media. Palm Beach Post.
Guns on campus. A Palm Beach student is arrested for gun possession, the third known firearm-related incident in a week. Palm Beach Post.
Lockdowns and evacuations. An armed standoff with police prompts security measures at a handful of Sarasota County schools, but the incident ends peacefully without threatening students. WFLA. WFTS. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A St. Petersburg high school briefly evacuates after someone starts toilet paper fires in boys' bathrooms. Tampa Bay Times.
Opinions. Letter: Voters should support a tax referendum that will help fund Okaloosa County public schools. Northwest Florida Daily News. A father wants to know why charter school students like his daughter can't be treated — and funded — fairly. Orlando Rising.
Inspired stories. A middle school teacher references last year's students in a fictional mystery story. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A high school sophomore publishes a book inspired by her Sri Lankan roots. Tampa Bay Times.
Leadership. A Lake County elementary school incorporates a new leadership development curriculum. Daily Commercial.
Graphic design. Polk schools want students to help revamp the district's logo. Lakeland Ledger.
