Education bill moving: The sweeping education bill that would, among other things, eliminate the waiting list for Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, is approved by the Senate Education Committee on a 5-3 party-line vote. S.B. 7070 would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship program with money from the Florida Education Finance Program, though at least one prominent Republican says… Read more »
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Florida schools roundup: Runcie keeps job, State of the State, tax break and more
Runcie holds onto job: In a 6-3 vote, the Broward County School Board decides not to fire Superintendent Robert Runcie. Runcie has been a lightning rod for criticism for his actions since the shooting deaths of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Board member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa died in… Read more »
DeSantis’ State of the State address: ‘One size doesn’t fit all’ in education landscape
TALLAHASSEE – In his first State of the State address Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his pledge to end the waiting lists for parents seeking the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) for lower-income families and the Gardiner Scholarship for students with certain special needs. About 13,000 families are on a waitlist for the FTC… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Remaking public education, bills on testing and more
Legislative preview: Gov. Ron DeSantis, his fellow Republicans in the Senate and House and the new, more conservative Florida Supreme Court seem poised to overhaul public education by expanding school choice, changing the way schools are funded, adding a new scholarship program and more, beginning Tuesday when the 60-day legislative session begins. Some see it as… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Federal tax credit scholarship, session preview and more
Federal scholarship proposal: A $5 billion-a-year federal tax credit scholarship program is proposed by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. If approved by Congress, the program would offer federal tax credits for corporations that contribute to groups that give students scholarships to private schools. Similar tax credit scholarship program exist… Read more »
Private school, public district collaborate to benefit teachers, students
CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Judi Hughes is a serial retirer. Nowhere is her quick wit more evident than when she explains why she came out of retirement a third time – after more than 40 years in the School District of Lee County – to be principal at St. Andrew Catholic School in this sprawling,… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Board considers firing Runcie, scholarship test and more
Runcie’s job on line: The Broward County School Board will consider firing Superintendent Robert Runcie at its meeting Tuesday. Board member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa died in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, requested the item to be added to the agenda. She cited his “many failures of leadership,” specifically his… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Grand jury set for school safety, discipline program and more
School safety grand jury: Florida’s Supreme Court unanimously approves Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a statewide grand jury to investigate whether schools are following safety requirements and to “make recommendations about what some of the various school districts could do better.” The grand jury will also investigate whether school districts have accepted state school safety money… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Recruiting plan, new scholarship, school security and more
Recruiting teachers: Hillsborough County school officials will attack their teacher shortage by offering bonuses ranging from $3,600 to $7,500 to teachers who take jobs at 50 low-performing schools next fall. The bonuses also could be boosted by another $4,500 for teachers who are nationally certified. Each of the low-performing schools — called Achievement Schools —… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Education plans, new standards, punishment and more
Education proposals get a look: This week, legislators will begin to consider Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposals to rework the educator bonuses program, launch an Equal Opportunity Scholarship to erase a waiting list for state scholarships for low-income students, improve career and vocational education programs, and make adjustments to the Schools of Hope program and to graduation… Read more »
