Charter school support: Support for the charter school movement is declining in America, according to a recent survey by Education Next, a journal published by Harvard’s Kennedy School and Stanford University. Only 39 percent of of those polled favor opening more "charters - schools that are funded by public money, but usually operated independently of school districts.” That's down from 51 percent last year. Associated Press.
Back to school: More from districts around Florida that have returned to school or will soon. Florida Times-Union. Palm Beach Post. Sun-Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Gainesville Sun. Tallahassee Democrat. Daytona Beach News-Journal. About a quarter of Osceola Magnet School's students stayed home on the first day of the new school year after the disclosure of a mold problem at the school. School officials are still waiting for the results of air quality tests. TCPalm. WPTV. Ten tips for young teachers from a veteran educator. Palm Beach Post.
School funding protest: The Lake County School Board approves a resolution urging the state to “halt the transfer of education funding from poorer school districts to wealthier school districts.” That district cost differential portion of the school funding formula has shortchanged the district by $57 million since 2004, board members say. “You have 14 counties in the state benefiting from this. The 53 other counties are paying for it,” says board member Bill Mathias. Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, recently approved a legislative study of the differential. Daily Commercial.
Help for gifted students: Students at 16 high schools in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco who are struggling in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs will get help from a program developed by two academics to support students who they think are often "taken for granted." The Advancing Coping and Engagement program will provide students with weekly lessons on developing time management skills and connecting with teachers. Tampa Bay Times.
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…)
