Charter schools. Collier families have few charter options available. Naples Daily News. Palm Beach charter schools are scrutinized for racial balance. Palm Beach Post. Only one charter school application remains on the table in Sarasota County as other applicants withdraw. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Campaigns. The Tampa Tribune notes charter schools and tax credit scholarships are two areas where gubernatorial challenger Charlie Crist's views have shifted over time. Common Core opponents back Gov. Rick Scott over Crist. The Buzz. Hillsborough school board candidates spar over conservative credentials. Tampa Bay Times.
Tax credit scholarships. A Miami pastor who crticized a lawsuit challenging the program is honored by the statewide teachers union. Gradebook.
Retention. Students in struggling Pinellas schools often are not retained before third grade, despite evidence that early intervention is key. Tampa Bay Times.
STEM. A Polk County elementary school adds a new STEM-focused academy. Lakeland Ledger. Scientists need to work with schools and get students interested in science fields while they're young, Paul Cottle writes in the Tallahassee Democrat.
Funding. Florida is among some 30 states where schools funding trails pre-recession levels. Palm Beach Post. Marion County voters will consider a tax to fund operations, including arts programs. Ocala Star-Banner. A former news anchor helps Orange County schools with PR on a tax referendum. Orlando Sentinel. A Palm Beach tax referendum targets funding for art, music and PE programs. Palm Beach Post.
Accountability. Bay County schools officials want the state not to issue letter grades to schools this year. Panama City News Herald.
English language learners. Florida and the federal government are at odds over how to incorporate ELL students into the state's accountability system. Tampa Bay Times.
Readiness. SAT scores suggest larger numbers of Florida students fall short of being college-ready. Florida Times-Union.
Common Core. Teachers and students adapt to more demanding standards. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Parent involvement. The Pinellas school district tries to engage parents at its most struggling schools. Tampa Tribune.
Guidance. Pinellas schools offer students more career counseling. Tampa Bay Times.
Technology. Hillsoborough schools teach students how to conduct themselves online. Tampa Tribune.
Transportation. The Bay County school district looks to revamp its bus system. Panama City News Herald. Brevard County bus drivers tally up instances of motorists ignoring buses' stop signs. Florida Today.
Bureaucracy. From strollers to camcorders to a commercial refrigerator, nearly $100,000 of equipment is missing from Lee County schools. Fort Myers News-Press.
Growth. Volusia County schools comply with state class-size limits after adding students this year. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Facilities. A Pasco elementary school is due for a major renovation. Tampa Tribune.
