Education bill: State Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, appears before the Florida Board of Education to promote the education bill passed by the Legislature, saying legislators were trying to find ways to "consistently close the achievement gap" and "erase the negative effects of poverty." Board member Andy Tuck pointed out that 18 counties, including some of the poorest in the state, will receive less money for education next year than they got this year. Gradebook. Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, also appearing at the state board meeting, says he, his school board and the state superintendents association are"vehemently, strongly ... advocating for a veto of HB 7069." Politico Florida. redefinED. The Florida School Board Association, which represents 64 of the state's 67 school boards, is the latest organization to urge Gov. Rick Scott to veto the Legislature's education bill. In a letter to Scott, the association calls the bill "substantially flawed and unworthy of your approval to be enacted into law." Miami Herald. News Service of Florida. Florida Politics. Associated Press. WMNF. More local school leaders urge a veto of the education bill. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Citrus County Chronicle.
Philosophical fight: Whether Gov. Scott vetoes the education bill or not, the philosophical battle over who control the state's public schools is likely to continue. redefinED.
Eakins declines raise: Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins turns down a proposed 3 percent raise from the school board, which extended his contract by three years. He will get a $2,000 bonus on top of his $225,000 salary if the district's graduation rate improves. "My bonus is going to be when every student, every teacher, every employee becomes successful," Eakins told the board. Tampa Bay Times.
New superintendents: In a 4-1 vote, the Alachua County School Board selects deputy superintendent Karen Clarke as the new school superintendent. Clarke has been with the district since 1992. Contract negotiations begin today, with an advertised contract range between $160,000 and $180,000. Gainesville Sun. The Flagler County School Board approves a three-year contract at $135,000 a year for new superintendent James Tager. Flagler Live. (more…)
Testing in schools: The Florida Senate and House remain divided on how to reform the state's standardized testing process. Both chamber's bills push testing toward the end of the school year and direct the Department of Education to see whether national tests such as the SAT and ACT can be used in place of the Florida Standards Assessments. But the broader Senate bill would cut back on the number of exams taken overall, allow districts to administer the tests on paper instead of computers, and remove a requirement that teachers be evaluated in part on the results. The House bill doesn't reduce the number taken, calls for most tests to be taken in the final three weeks of the school year, requires the results be returned to teachers within a week and sets specific instructions on how the results are reported. Orlando Sentinel.
School laundromats: Reducing personal problems as a means to academic success now includes doing laundry for students at some Lake County schools. Laundry rooms have been installed at Eustis Heights and Triangle Elementary schools as part of the district's School Laundry Program, based on an initiative started in Fairfield, Calif. Students apply for entry into the program. If they're accepted, they can drop off their laundry in the morning. It's done by volunteers in time for the student to pick it up at the end of the school day. “The more we can take care of our students’ basic needs, the more we can take care of their academic needs,” said Eustis Heights principal Chad Frazier. Daily Commercial.
Impact of black teachers: Having one black teacher in third, fourth or fifth grade reduces low-income black boys' probability of dropping out of high school by 39 percent, according to a study of 100,000 black elementary school students in North Carolina. WUSF. Education Week.
School repairs: Repair projects begin this summer at 10 Palm Beach County schools, says Superintendent Robert Avossa. The projects are being funded by a penny increase in the county's sales tax, approved by voters in November. The school district gets half the money generated, which is expected to amount to about $650 million over 10 years. First up are weatherproofing at six schools and paving of parking lots, tracks and basketball courts at four schools. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
