Retention stay remains: The judge who ruled the state has to give third-graders options to advance to fourth grade without state test scores is refusing to vacate the stay on the verdict during the appeal. Judge Karen Gievers, who ruled against the retention policies of the state and six districts, says there is little chance of… Read more »
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Florida schools roundup: Scandal, evaluations, tall high school and more
Miramar High scandal: A 3,000-page report concludes that officials at Miramar High School allowed students to cheat, made questionable grade changes and showed favoritism to football players in 2014. Former principal Brian Faso and current assistant principal Cornelia Hoff deny any wrongdoing and say they will fight any disciplinary action. The football coach at the time,… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Civil rights complaint, closings, a kind act and more
Civil rights complaint: A federal civil rights complaint is filed against the Pinellas County School District. The Southern Poverty Law Center charges that the district punishes black students and students with disabilities more often and more harshly than it does white students. The organization is asking the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the U.S. Department… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: More retention appeals, primary elections and more
More appeals: Seminole and Broward counties are joining the Florida Department of Education and Orange and Hernando counties in appealing a judge’s ruling last week against the state’s policy for retaining third-graders. All say that Leon County Judge Karen Gievers improperly ignored their requests for a change of venue from Tallahassee to local courts. Gievers ruled that the state… Read more »
The week in school choice: The rights of children
Less than a week ago, California’s high court dealt a pair of blows to efforts to improve public education through litigation, declining to hear cases dealing with funding equity and the state’s teacher tenure laws. The next day, backers of the tenure fight moved into a new arena, arguing in federal court that a lack of… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Zika rules, retention venue, punishment and more
Zika rules: Broward County school officials are considering changing district policy to fight the spread of the Zika virus. Under the emergency rules, students would be permitted to bring certain insect repellent wipes and lotions to school. The school board will vote on the measure Sept. 7. Sun-Sentinel. Retention venue: The state and six school districts being sued… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Pledge waiver, testing, school reforms poll and more
Pledge problems: After some parents protested when their children brought home a waiver to opt out of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school, the Leon County School District is removing the form from the student handbook. The district apologized for the confusion, and now will simply ask parents to sign a form confirming they have read the… Read more »
This week in school choice: Stop generalizing about charter schools
This week, Nat Malkus of the American Enterprise Institute examined the national debate over charter schools: These political contests hinge on two competing narratives about what charters are and who they serve. Opponents often paint charters as public-privates that skirt public accountability and select the most advantaged students for their schools. Clinton played to that perspective… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Retention lawsuit, testing penalty and more
Feds reject request: A state judge schedules a hearing today on the lawsuit against the Florida Department of Education’s policy on retaining third-graders who do poorly on the state testing or opt out. The state asked a federal judge to take over the case, but the request was refused Friday. Fourteen parents are suing the state… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Recess time, construction, planning and more
Extra recess time: The Miami-Dade County School District adds 15 minutes a week to recess time for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school students. That gives those students an hour of free play time each week. Miami Herald. Construction planning: Palm Beach County school officials are optimistic that a 1-cent increase in the sale tax will be… Read more »
