School testing: After a hearing Wednesday, leaders of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee say they expect to present a bill this legislative session that will cut down on student testing. “I think that what you’re hearing is that there is a complete consensus among the senators on this committee that there is some common ground that… Read more »
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Florida schools roundup: Education spending, teacher pay, sub ban and more
Education spending: The chairman of the Florida House Appropriations Committee is anticipating cuts in education spending this year and next. Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, says with revenues expected to be flat, his committee is looking into two levels of spending based on expected revenues. The “easy” one would trim $164.8 million from recurring PreK-12 spending and… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Bonuses, testing, bullying, fitness, loans and more
Teacher bonuses: Almost 7,200 Florida teachers will receive bonuses of about $6,800 under the state’s Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program, the Department of Education announces. That’s 1,800 more than the number who got the bonuses last year, and represents 4 percent of the state’s teachers. First-year teachers can qualify if their SAT or ACT… Read more »
Florida charter school group defends state appeals in court
A large charter school network argues a bid by a South Florida school district to challenge state appeals for charter applications is “entirely political.” In a legal twist that stems from the Palm Beach County School Board’s attempts to limit the growth of charter schools, Renaissance Charter School Inc. is defending the Florida Board of… Read more »
Fuller: School choice advocates need to care about all kids
When Howard Fuller hears criticisms of fellow school choice advocate Betsy DeVos, he may hear echoes from his own past. Before he became superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, Fuller had called for breaking up the school district and helped organize parents in favor of a school voucher program. He had never taught in public schools. The… Read more »
School choice’s money issues
A key thread connects many of 2016’s biggest political conflicts over school choice: Money. In Nevada, the nation’s most ambitious educational choice program was challenged in court, and technically prevailed, but it may still wither away unless lawmakers agree to fund it. In Louisiana, lawmakers cut funding to a statewide voucher program, leaving hundreds of… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Turnarounds, bonuses, choice, discipline and more
Turnaround concerns: A battle is developing between state and local education officials over control of schools. The Department of Education has been actively intervening to turn around low-performing schools, sometimes requiring schools replace principals and teacher. That puts the state “on the verge of overstepping their authority,” says Bill Husfelt, Bay County superintendent. “Tallahassee talks about… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Superintendent a finalist, religious banners and more
Superintendent honored: Barbara Jenkins, superintendent of the Orange County School District, is one of four finalists for the national superintendent of the year award given by the American Association of School Administrators. The winner will be announced March 2. Last month, Jenkins was named Florida’s superintendent of the year for 2017. Orlando Sentinel. Satanic banner denied: The… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Graduation rate, segregation, class time and more
Graduation rate up: The state’s high school graduation rate for 2016 was a record 80.7 percent, according to the Department of Education. That’s 2.8 percentage points over the 2015 rate. Fifty-five of the state’s 67 districts showed improvement. Florida Department of Education. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald. Palm Beach Post. Gradebook. Florida Times-Union. Florida Today. Space Coast… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Budget woes, charter lawsuit, address fraud and more
Budget problems: State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, who is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says Florida schools are probably going to have to raise local property taxes to close a $426 million gap in funding. Latvala said the state is unlikely to close that financial gap with state funds for a second year in… Read more »
