Peterson is a no-show: Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School resource officer Scot Peterson, who hid in an outside stairwell instead of confronting the school shooter Feb. 14 as 17 were murdered in the Parkland school, did not honor his subpoena to testify Thursday before the commission investigating the massacre. Peterson's attorney, Joseph DiRuzzo, did appear to say he had filed a motion to quash the subpoena and that he is suing the commission for exceeding its statutory authority. And Peterson has started a GoFundMe page to try to raise $150,000 for his legal defense. Two other officials who were criticized for their actions did speak. Broward Sheriff Scott Israel defended his agency's performance and said its policy is that deputies "may" confront a shooter, not that they "shall." He also said he wants "an effective tactical response, not a suicide response.” Robert Runcie, superintendent of Broward schools, apologized to the families of the victims, and says he may discipline some Stoneman Douglas administrators next week. Sun-Sentinel. Miami Herald. Associated Press. Politico Florida.
Discipline guidelines: Guidelines put in place in 2014 by the Obama administration to address discipline disparities in the nation's schools will be rescinded when the federal school safety commission issues its report by the end of the year, according to reports. That panel is led by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The Obama policy sought alternative measures to address the wide variation in discipline handed out to white and minority and disabled students. Critics say the guidelines may keep violent students in school. Politico.
Online requirement: The new education law gives Florida high school students additional options to fulfill an online class required for graduation. The specifics are vague, though, and school officials are hoping for clarification from the Florida Department of Education. Orlando Sentinel.
FHSAA accused: The Florida High School Athletic Association is being accused of not following a new law that allows schools to join the association on a sport-by-sport basis. The FHSAA violated the intent of the law by telling schools that only those with full membership status will be allowed to participate in state playoffs, according to Stuart Weiss, president of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference. Orlando Sentinel.
Transgenders and bathrooms: Nate Quinn, a 17-year-old transgender student at the Pine View School in Sarasota, is lobbying for a district policy giving transgender students access to the bathroom they identify with. Reuters. Target becomes the first major U.S. corporation to "welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity." Washington Post.
Suicide training: Florida teachers will be trained in suicide prevention as part of a law passed by the Legislature this year. The two hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention, developed by the Florida Department of Education and the Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, begins in the 2016-2017 school year. WFSU.
Special education growth: The number of school-age students with disabilities has grown almost 3 percent since the 2011-12 school year, according to an analysis by Education Week and its Research Center. Rapid growth in such disability categories as autism and an 8 percent increase in New York State contributed to the increase. Education Week. (more…)
