Video rebuttal: Florida House Republicans respond to a threat to sue over H.B. 7069 by releasing a promotional video touting the "schools of hope" provision in the bill, which creates incentives for charter schools to move into areas with persistently low-performing public schools. The video says those opposed to H.B. 7069 don't want to give tens of thousands of children in failing schools another public education option. Last week, the Broward County School Board voted to sue over the bill, claiming it improperly forces districts to share property tax revenue with charter schools and strips local boards of the authority to approve or deny charter applications. Miami Herald. At its July 25 meeting, the Manatee County School Board will consider joining Broward County in a lawsuit against H.B. 7069. Bradenton Herald.
New school rules: Here are some of the new rules in effect when schools reopen next month. Orlando Sentinel. Is H.B. 989 a threat to science teaching, or an expansion of accountability? Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Charter school fees: Are charter schools charging questionable or even illegal fees? In the past five years, there are eight cases of charters doing just that in the United States. One of those cases was in Hillsborough County, where the school board felt compelled to caution one school against pushing parents for donations, using invoices for donations, and against dismissing students because parents didn't give even volunteer hours. Education Week.
Teaching climate change: A study financed by the National Science Foundation concludes that more than half of science teachers in Florida are passing along faulty information on climate change. About 70 percent incorrectly think ozone layer depletion and pesticide use are causes of climate change, and about 50 percent say climate change science has to be studied through controlled experiments to be valid. WUWF. (more…)
Zika and schools: Gov. Rick Scott orders Florida's Department of Health and Department of Education to provide mosquito repellent and teacher tool kits to all schools in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin, Monroe and Palm Beach counties as a response to the continuing spread of the Zika virus. The state also will send educational materials to all schools, and Scott is requiring that each district have a plan to quickly deal with any suspected Zika cases. Health News Florida. News Service of Florida. Gradebook.
Recess initiative: Some state legislators are asking the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to research the ways school districts handle recess. Those lawmakers want the data this month so they can begin drafting bills for the next legislative session. Bills are due in January. An initiative to require daily recess was defeated in the last session. Gradebook.
Teacher shortage: A day before Marion County schools open, the district is still trying to hire 96 teachers to fill open positions. Superintendent George Tomyn says substitutes will be in the classroom until the hires can be made, hopefully in the next few months. “This is happening all across the state,” Tomyn said. Ocala Star Banner.
Enrollment growth: The Palm Beach County School District expects additional enrollment of 3,000 to 5,000 on the first day of school Aug. 15. The district is the 12th-largest in the United States. The district also says it will add 75 students in two popular magnet programs. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. (more…)
