Charter schools: A report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the number of charter schools opening in Florida grew at a rate of 12.7 percent per year from 2010-2014, third fastest among 16 states surveyed. The annual closing rate between 2009-2013 was 3.9 percent, the fourth highest. The report compares Pennsylvania charter schools governance with 15 other states. The Notebook.

School threats: Experts say school threats across the United States are rising rapidly - up 158 percent from Aug. 1-Dec. 31, 2014 over the same period in 2013. About 70 percent were bomb or shooting threats. Florida got 43, fifth most in the country. NBC 6 News. Palm Beach School Superintendent Robert Avossa is unhappy with Park Vista High's handling of a threat scribbled on a school wall, and has told all principals to alert parents when any threat is discovered, even if the threat isn't thought to be credible. Palm Beach Post.

Privacy bill: State Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, files a bill that would protect Florida's K-12 students from websites that mine personal information. Florida Politics.

Every Child Succeeds Act: State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says he's still going through the Every Child Succeeds Act, the recently passed successor to the No Child Left Behind Act, but thinks the law's effects in 2017 will be substantial. WUSF.

New high schools: Lee County commissioners have taken land in a conservation area off the list of potential sites for a new high school in Bonita Springs. Naples Daily News. A survey of Manatee County residents shows they want a new high school, with the preferred location north of the Manatee River. Bradenton Herald.

Superintendent race: With more than 10 months to go before the election for Nassau school superintendent, State Rep. Janet Adkins of Fernandina Beach has raised almost $65,000 compared to just over $34,000 by her opponent, school board member Kathy Knight Burns. Both are Republicans. Florida Politics.

Deal benefits schools: Public schools in the neighborhoods around the Citrus Bowl will receive money from a partnership between Florida Citrus Sports and the College Football Playoff Foundation. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)