Education legislation: About a dozen education-related bills have already been filed for the next session of the Legislature, which begins in March. Among them: an end to in-state college tuition for immigrant students who don't have full legal status, a requirement of 20 minutes of recess a day for elementary students, a rework of the teacher bonuses program, allowing computer coding to satisfy foreign language requirements, and allowing people to bring guns on college campuses. Sun-Sentinel.

Sexually abusive teachers: A publishing company's year-long investigation finds that 100 teachers who sexually abused students are continuing to work in U.S. classrooms because schools are covering up evidence and keeping allegations secret. The investigation also rated the states on teacher background checks. Florida received a grade of C, rating highly for making information on teacher discipline available online and for its strong mandatory reporting of teacher misconduct, but lower on the state's screening system and on sharing information about teacher misconduct with other states. USA Today.

New superintendent: The Lake County School Board hires Diane Kornegay as its new superintendent. Kornegay, who is deputy superintendent at the Clay County School District, was the clear favorite of the board and the only one of the six finalists to be asked back for a second round of interviews. She will replace the retiring Susan Moxley. Kornegay will be paid $196,000, but she can make up to $34,000 more in incentives for student performance. Daily Commercial. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)

Gun violence prevention: The Miami-Dade coalition Together for Children announces that it has $14 million available for youth gun violence prevention programs. The coalition includes the Miami-Dade County School District, the Children's Trust, Miami-Dade County, the Office of the State Attorney and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. In the past 10 years, at least 19 children under the age of 13 have been killed by guns, and the coalition has identified 2,000 others who are at risk. Miami Herald. An 18-year-old Homestead High School student is shot in the face as she was walking to her school bus stop. Jennavi Small, 18, suffered a broken orbital bone and could lose her right eye. Her ex-boyfriend, Darius Chaney, 19, was arrested. Miami Herald.

Bill for charter students: A bill is filed that would allow charter school students to take part in extracurricular activities at private schools. The bill filed by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, would expand on the law that already allows charter students to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools. News Service of Florida.

Norovirus outbreak: The Viera Charter School closes today, a day earlier than scheduled due to an outbreak of Norovirus that has sickened more than 40 children and kept 400 away from school this week. Florida Today.

School boundaries: The Pasco County School Board tentatively approves new school boundaries. Three zones were changed to ease overcrowding. Two of the plans drew opposition, and Superintendent Kurt Browning's decision to replace the recommendations of a zoning advisory committee with his own also drew criticism. Another hearing will be held Jan. 17. Gradebook. WFLA.

Teachers honored: The St. Johns School District announces nominees for teacher of the year and rookie teacher of the year. The winners will be announced Jan. 23. Florida NewsLine. The Clay County School District announces nominees for teacher of the year and school-related employee of the year from each of the district's 41 schools. The winners will be announced Jan. 24. Florida Times-Union. (more…)

Senate's education agenda: Senate President Joe Negron's agenda includes more school choice for K-12 and more money for the state's universities. The Republican from Stuart also affirms his support for school testing and accountability. WUSF.

Graduation rates: South Florida schools' graduation rates have been rising steadily for five years, and hit records highs this year. Sun-Sentinel. WLRN. St. Lucie County high schools have one of the best graduation turnarounds in the state. TCPalm. The Bay County School District sees a 10 percentage point increase in its graduation rate in the past year, and its rate is now higher than the state average. Panama City News Herald. Graduation rates in Citrus County schools are up 19.2 percentage points from 2004. Citrus County Chronicle.

Teacher honored: Sandy Waite of Southside Elementary School in Sarasota is named the Florida elementary school literacy teacher of the year. The award, given by the Florida Reading Association, honors teachers who are innovative in teaching reading, Waite incorporates music, art and lots of movement into her reading lessons. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Teacher's Satan display: A Palm Beach County teacher is within his rights to erect an "In Satan we trust" display in Boca Raton's Sanborn Square, according to Palm Beach County Superintendent Robert Avossa. Preston Smith just needs to keep his religious views out of his English classes at Boca Raton Middle School, Avossa says. Palm Beach Post. WPTV. (more…)