School grades: The Florida Department of Education could issue school grades as early as Tuesday. Many think their meaning will be tainted by the controversy over the Florida Standards Assessments tests, which are a major component of the grades. Tampa Bay Times.

Alternative tests: Education experts are split on the benefits of a proposed bill that would give school districts the choice of using tests like the SAT and ACT instead of the Florida Standards Assessments. Politico Florida.

Score reports: Newly designed reports are meant to make it easy for parents to see how their children scored on state testing. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida. Sunshine State News.

Education bills: Some of the less-publicized education bills are moving in the Legislature. Here's a look at a few, and where they stand. Gradebook.

Construction spending: The chairman of the House Education Budget Subcommittee brushes aside school superintendents' denial that they're wasting school construction money. Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, says he won't change his plans to press for more accountability. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida. WFSU.

After-school funding: Florida Senate leaders are discussing changes to the state's after-school programs. They want to increase funding but spread it around to more agencies. Agencies that have been providing after-school services, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys & Girls Clubs, worry about the effect on their programs. Miami Herald.

School start times: A study in the journal Sleep links later high school starting times to lower rates of tardiness and discipline issues. THE Journal. (more…)