Florida’s testing contractor loses $4.8 million for 2015 exam problems

The testing company that administers Florida’s key standardized exam has lost nearly $5 million because of problems that marred the roll out of the computer-based tests in 2015, the Florida Department of Education said Friday.  The department said American Institutes for Research, or AIR, will reimburse the state or lose payments that total $4.8 million.…

Judge Halts Obama Administration’s Transgender-Student Rules Nationwide

A Texas federal judge issued a nationwide order late Sunday, temporarily halting application of the Obama administration’s guidance on transgender students while a 13-state legal challenge on the issue, led by Texas, is decided.  The case is one of a number of legal challenges related to the May guidance, in which the U.S. Departments of…

Dominic Calabro: Remember to thank principals too during the first week back to school

For millions of parents and students this month around the Sunshine State, one of the most exciting parts of returning to school is meeting the teachers. And for good reason; teachers will spend 180 days helping students learn and grow as one of the primary influences, besides parents and family, in each child’s life. Read…

U.S. Education Department Releases Guidance on Education of Children with Disabilities Attending Public Virtual Schools

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) today issued guidance in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter to states to ensure students with disabilities attending public virtual schools are getting the special education and supports that they deserve and is their right. The guidance focuses on specific requirements…