From the News Service of Florida:

TALLAHASSEE - State education officials are pushing forward with a plan to rebrand the standards for what students are expected to learn in Florida schools, hoping to tamp down an uproar among conservative activists who view the current standards as part of a federal takeover of local schools.

Commissioner Stewart

Almost 100 changes to the "Common Core State Standards" will be considered by the State Board of Education in February, said Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, who outlined some of the changes to board members during a meeting Tuesday.

"At that time, I think that it is completely appropriate for us to call our standards the 'Florida Standards,' " Stewart said.

Supporters of the guidelines have taken to using the term "Florida Standards" in recent months as some conservatives have continued to decry Common Core. Those benchmarks were crafted by a coalition of officials from about four-dozen states, but have come to be seen by grassroots conservative groups as an example of federal overreach.

Earlier this month, a gathering of the Republican Party of Florida's state committeemen and committeewomen voted to oppose Common Core, though the resolution is not binding on the GOP and is not expected to be taken up by the party's executive board.

Stewart said the changes -- which include 60 new standards, 37 clarifications and two deletions -- and the inclusion of standards beyond the reach of Common Core, which only covers English and math courses, justifies the new name.

"I think when we strengthen our standards, make these standards our own, provide clarification of 37 standards -- that clearly is saying that Florida is out on our own, making stronger standards and doing so in a very autonomous way," she said. (more…)

Gov. Rick Scott's office issued this press release a few minutes ago:

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointments of Dr. Ada G. Armas and John A. Colon, and the reappointment of John R. Padget to the State Board of Education.

Armas, 53, of Coral Gables, is a physician with MCCI Medical Group. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her medical degree from Cetec University.  Armas succeeds Roberto Martinez and is appointed for a term beginning February 7, 2013, and ending December 31, 2016.

Colon, 61, of University Park, is a senior vice president and investment officer with Wells Fargo Advisors. He was the Chairman of the Sarasota Housing Committee for two years and currently serves as Vice Chairman. Colon is also a member of the Florida Black Business Investment Board. He received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College in 1974. Colon succeeds Akshay M. Desai and is appointed for a term beginning February 7, 2013, and ending December 31, 2014.

Padget, 75, of Key West, is a private investor. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University, and a master’s of business degree from Harvard University. He is reappointed for a term beginning February 7, 2013, and ending December 31, 2016.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

More from Gradebook and SchoolZone.