School testing, grades: A Department of Education simulation projecting school grades indicates that despite fears more schools would fail because of the new Florida Standards Assessment tests, little would change in the distribution of grades. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart is lobbying for her version of passing score standards. Superintendents support Stewart’s proposal, but still want to suspend school… Read more »
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Florida schools roundup: No Child, class size, grades, recess, uniforms and more
No Child bill update: Today, the U.S. Senate is poised to approve the revised No Child Left Behind Act. The changes would allow states greater control over public schools, particularly in how they assess student and teacher performance. The White House has said President Obama will sign the bill. Associated Press. Class size violations: Very few Florida… Read more »
On school choice & Green Apples
This is the latest post in our series on the center-left roots of school choice. Surprising things sprout in the ideological compost that sustains the school choice movement, but not all grow to bear fruit. At the risk of jinxing their viability, let’s pause to marvel at the first shoots of an organic hybrid: Sprawl-hating,… Read more »
School choice scores another legal win in Florida
School choice supporters won a legal victory in Florida Monday, as they knocked down some of the arguments in a wide-ranging lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s education system. In a bench ruling, Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds rebuffed a constitutional challenge of the state’s tax credit scholarship program, according to two Institute for Justice… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Scholarship programs, turnaround hire and more
Scholarship programs upheld: A Florida circuit judge rejects a request to shut down two programs that provide state tax money for students to attend private schools. The McKay Scholarship Program, administered by the Florida Department of Education, gives students with disabilities an option to choose a private school or transfer from one public school to another that better… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Black suspensions, homelessness and more
Black suspensions: An investigation of more than 600,000 punishments in Pinellas County schools from 2010-2015 shows that black children are suspended at a much higher rate than in the other six large Florida districts, and four times the rate of other children based on their share of the school population. And more than half of those… Read more »
This week in school choice: Enduring change
The political winds recently shifted in Louisiana, as the state elected a new governor who criticized charter schools and vouchers. There is, however, some reason to believe those programs are safe: School choice programs are different than other reform fads because they engender deep buy-in from parents and create unique coalitions. Once these programs build up… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: Pam Stewart, coding, bonuses, recess and more
Commissioner diagnosis: Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart has been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a Department of Education press release. She will continue working as she receives treatment. Tallahassee Democrat. Tampa Tribune. Naples Daily News. Gradebook. Coding bill: A Senate committee has approved a bill that would require high schools to offer computer coding… Read more »
Florida schools roundup: FSA cut scores, No Child Left Behind and more
Test cut scores: Education Commissioner Pam Stewart is defending her plan for Florida Standards Assessment test cut score proficiency levels, arguing that raising the levels as some are calling for is inconsistent with state law and would be confusing to parents and students. The State Board of Education will discuss the issue Friday and decide in January. Orlando… Read more »
Constitutional change made New Orleans educational transformation possible
The recovery and improvement of public education in New Orleans is now a well-known story. In late November of 2005, the state-created Recovery School District took over most of the city’s storm-ravaged schools and created a nearly all-charter system that has achieved eye-popping results and set off debates that still simmer 10 years later. The transformation might… Read more »
