Homework revisited: A year after Marion County School Superintendent Heidi Maier ended homework for students, the school board will consider a policy that allows elementary school teachers to assign it again. Maier and other administrators conceded last week in a workshop session that some homework is necessary. But they don't want it to get excessive. “It needs to be meaningful and engaging,” says deputy superintendent Jonathan Grantham, not just busy work. Ocala Star-Banner.
Anti-test movement: The once vibrant movement to slow or eliminate high-stakes standardized testing as a tool for measuring student progress has slowed significantly, according to many in the field. “I think it is much quieter, whether that’s because (Every Student Succeeds Act) plans (are mostly approved) and federal law is not going to be opened up for awhile,” says Patricia Levesque, chief executive officer of Foundation for Excellence in Education, a think tank started by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. But she doesn’t think the debate is dead. “A lot of things are cyclical," she says. "That’s just the way that policy is.” Many states are still tweaking details. Levesque's group, for instance, is urging states to push testing to later in the school year. Education Week.
School security: Metal detectors will be used at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School this fall, but the school district will no longer require students to have clear backpacks. Sun-Sentinel. The 20 new armed guardians for the Manatee County School District met Monday for their first day of training. More than 270 people applied for the jobs. The district chose armed guardians over sworn school resource officers because of the costs. “Let’s not rush to judgment right now,” says Pat Bartholomew, the director of safety and security for the district. “We had a very solid vetting process, a selection process, so let the training speak for itself.” Bradenton Herald. (more…)
Accountability concerns: While the Florida Board of Education decided how to judge student testing and grade schools last week, educators already are suggesting the entire process of assessing accountability should get another look after the next round of tests. Tampa Bay Times. Business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Council of 100 are disappointed that the State Board of Education did not toughen standards for student proficiency. They think a level 3 grade, which is now considered passing, is too low and won't prepare students for college or work. Florida Times-Union.
Legislative issues: A bill has been filed by State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would require a 60 percent voter approval on any sales tax increases. School officials are concerned that would make it more difficult to pass tax hikes for school improvements. Gradebook. Among the issues before the Florida Legislature, which begins its session Tuesday, are charter school regulation, school accountability, high school sports, teacher bonuses and the complex funding formula for schools. But generally, we should expect tweaks instead of tranformation. WFSU. Tampa Bay Times. Daily Commercial.
School health care: Endeavour Community School opens in Cocoa and will provide health-care, dental care, mental health care, after-school programming and parental outreach efforts on campus. Florida Today.
Online graduation: Orange and Lake counties are participating in a test program that gives dropouts a chance at a high school degree by taking classes online at public libraries. Orlando Sentinel.
Religion and schools: Several groups are asking Hillsborough School Superintendent Jeff Eakins to review the district's relationship with several area church. Gradebook. (more…)
