Florida School Boards Association
The Alachua County School Board has joined the list of Florida school districts calling for action from the state to suspend the consequences of state standardized tests in favor of an extended transition time for students and teachers to adjust to new educational standards. A resolution, approved by all four board members present at Tuesday’s…
The candidates running for three South Dade state House seats — Republican, Democrat, independent — all agree that Florida students and schools spend too much time testing. Candidates running for the Florida House of Representatives in the 112th, 114th and 115th districts gathered for an education forum Tuesday night at Palmetto Middle School. “The biggest…
Public schools mold America into the great nation of citizens we are today. From the encouragement of great teachers or mentors like the football coach, to the support of the high school counselor, pubic schools shaped many of our lives. So, let’s “Stand Up 4 Public Schools” and support quality public schools for America’s students!…
A 10th grader born in Haiti struggles to read in his class at Godby High School in Tallahassee. The student is more comfortable with Haitian Creole than English. Teacher Althea Valle has students of various nationalities trying to master the language. “It’s a challenge,” Valle says. “There’s a lot of gesturing, and you know sometimes I…
Public schools are where futures start. Let’s “Stand Up 4 Public Schools” and support quality public schools for America’s students! Narrated by Emmy Award-winning television personality Montel Williams, a celebrity advocate for “Stand Up 4 Public Schools.” Special thanks to Virginia’s Alexandria City Public Schools for their participation in this video. www.standup4publicschools.org
Last month, state economists predicted that the state would have a surplus of about $340 million after funding the state’s priorities and maintaining a healthy balance in state reserves in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Those priorities include providing sufficient funding to maintain current funding levels for education after taking growth and inflation into account. Meanwhile,…
Back in August, the U.S. Department of Education criticized Florida’s approach to testing of students learning English, saying it would compromise the state’s ability to keep its waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements. State officials shot back angrily. Gov. Rick Scott held a press conference in Miami threatening legal action if the feds didn’t relent within…
Legally and arithmetically, municipal pension plans have nothing to do with the the Florida Retirement System. Politically, they mean a lot, though. The LeRoy Collins Institute recently issued a report, appropriately titled “Tough Choices,” evaluating 151 municipal pension plans across Florida. It was an update of a 2011 report, using more detailed measurements, and the…
Emily Sonni eyed the mushy green substance on her plate. The vegetable tasted salty, she said, and the texture was “not pleasing.” The Matanzas High School senior bypassed the baked zucchini during a recent lunch period, and she wasn’t alone. Forget mystery meat. Students are discovering mystery vegetables in their lunch line now, and they…
BOYNTON BEACH — A parade of parents and teachers held back tears Monday night as they described their frustrations — and worse, their children’s frustrations — with school and the stressful atmosphere they say is fueled by the push to prepare for the state’s new battery of standardized tests. About three dozen people and an…