The CEOs of three charter school operations criticize President Trump’s budget proposal for cuts to public education in an op-ed in USA Today.
While thankful Trump’s budget would boost funding for the federal Charter Schools Program, they write they oppose cuts to other public education programs.
We cannot support the president’s budget as currently proposed and we are determined to do everything in our power to work with Congress and the administration to protect the programs that are essential to the broader needs of our students, families and communities. Budgets are statements of priorities, and this one sends a clear message that public education is not a top priority.
Testing bill stalls: The Senate Education Committee temporarily postpones a vote on SB 926, the so-called "Fewer, Better Tests" bill to revise the state's assessments program. The bill would push all testing to the final three weeks of the school year, require results back in a week, and order the Department of Education to study whether the ACT and SAT tests could be substituted for the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA). Several critics of the bill says it would do nothing to eliminate tests, despite its nickname, and could force the student passing rate down by tying the FSA passing scores to those of the more rigorous National Assessment for Educational Progress test. Miami Herald. Orlando Sentinel. Tallahassee Democrat. News Service of Florida. Sunshine State News. WFSU. Gradebook.
Facilities funding: A bill filed in the Florida House would require school districts to proportionately split local property tax revenues with charter schools after the money districts set aside for construction debts is deducted. An analysis of the bill indicates that the state's 556 charter schools would receive about $148 million, or nearly double what they now get. To qualify, charter schools would either be required to have 50 percent or more of its students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, or avoid consecutive years with a school grade below a B. redefinED.
Computer coding: The Florida House Pre-K-12 Quality Subcommittee deletes mention of allowing computer coding classes to fulfill foreign language requirements from HB 265. It's the second straight year the idea has run into opposition in the House. The amended version of the bill emphasizes ways the Department of Education can push computer coding classes in public schools. Miami Herald.
School material challenges: The Senate and House both pass bills (SB 1210, HB 989) that would make it easier for parents and community members to see what materials and books are being used in schools and to challenge them if they find the materials objectionable. Gradebook. (more…)
Trisha Coad of KIPP addresses the Florida Senate Education Committee.
When top charter school networks consider moving into new community, they don't just look at funding or charter school laws. They look at the whole "educational ecosystem."
That was the message a KIPP representative brought to a Florida Senate panel looking at charter school legislation.
Trisha Coad is the director for new site development for the Knowledge is Power Program, which operates 200 charter schools, including three in Jacksonville.
She told the Senate Education Committee the charter network is eyeing expansions in Florida — especially Miami. It's looking at some predictable factors: Community demand, affordable school facilities, adequate public funding, respect for charters' autonomy.
KIPP also looks for "strong authorizing, where charter schools are held to high expectations," Coad said. (more…)
