Desegregation case: The NAACP Legal Defense Fund says the Pinellas County School District is not complying with the 1964 court order governing the district’s anti-discrimination efforts. So the plaintiffs in Bradley vs. Pinellas County School Board are asking a federal court to intervene to force the district to give more help to struggling black students. Another plaintiff, in… Read more »
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Florida schools roundup: Budget, bills, testing, recess, workbook ban and more
K-12 spending: Legislators are touting the record spending on K-12 education in this year’s budget. But Orange County school officials and the Florida Education Association say the increase of about 1 percent doesn’t even cover inflation. Orlando Sentinel. News Service of Florida. House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, says there are greater differences between the… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: K-12 funding, big bills, testing, opting out and more
K-12 funding: The Florida Senate and House are close to an agreement that would raise K-12 spending by $458 million, or $71 per student to $7,178. Most of the increase will be absorbed by the state instead of raised through local property taxes. In his budget proposal, Gov. Rick Scott wanted an extra $507 million for… Read more »
This week in school choice: Ups and downs
Will this be another “year of school choice,” or will statehouses go quiet in an election year? This week, choice supporters made gains in a few legislatures, but saw setbacks in others. Arizona: The state Senate approved a measure that would make eligibility for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts nearly universal. Idaho: Charter schools could soon gain greater autonomy over teacher contracts. Mississippi:… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Sweeping education bills, help for deaf and more
Education bills: The Florida Senate Budget Committee passes two broadly drawn Senate education bills. SB 524 deals with teacher bonuses, charter facilities financing, competency-based pilot programs and giving principals greater authority to make changes at struggling schools. SB 1166 would allow open enrollment for any student to attend any school with an opening, allow athletes to… Read more »
Big changes coming at BAEO
The country’s leading black-led education reform organization could be in for some major changes after 2016. The Black Alliance for Educational Options announced changes were coming in a letter to supporters on Friday, but provided few details on what the future would hold. Howard Fuller, the chairman emeritus of the organization, said its board formed a committee,… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Testing troubles, grades, school police and more
Testing troubles: Bandwidth has been expanded, security upgraded and testing software improved. But, experts warn, there’s no way to guarantee trouble-free computerized testing when the Florida Standards Assessments writing tests begin Feb. 29. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune. Testing dispute: State business leaders are avoiding direct criticism of Gov. Rick Scott over the state Department of Education’s decision not to… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Transgender bathrooms, charter schools and more
Transgender bathrooms: The Sarasota County School Board is split on issuing a district-wide policy on bathroom use by transgender students. For now, the issue will be decided case-by-case by individual schools. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Charter district: Florida Sen. Bill Nelson joins the Florida League of Women Voters in opposing a constitutional amendment that would set up… Read more »
Oklahoma Supreme Court upholds special needs vouchers
A school voucher program does not violate a state ban on aid to religious institutions, the Oklahoma state Supreme Court ruled today. In a 9-0 decision, justices upheld a scholarship program that allows some 400 children with special needs to attend private schools. The ruling hinged on issues that are being raised in similar cases… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Trump, incompletes, personal learning and more
Teaching Trump: A presidential election year provides civics teachers with plenty of instructional material. This year, the rise of Donald Trump as a Republican front-runner is both a bonanza and a challenge. Tampa Bay Times. About that incomplete: When Florida school grades were issued Friday, 118 schools got “I” for incomplete. Department of Education officials… Read more »
