One hour. For 311 Florida elementary schools, that’s the length of time they’ve been told to extend their day this year, just to focus on reading. It could be the fix that lifts them off the list of lowest performing schools on the state’s language arts test. Or not. Read full article
Education Week is reporting that former Florida education commissioner Gerard Robinson, who resigned his post under pressure after just one year, will lead Donald Trump’s education transition team. Read full article
The state university system’s Board of Governors this week will debate expanding the Bright Futures scholarship program to cover summer classes. The proposal, which could cost up to $46.7 million, is a top priority for Gov. Rick Scott, who sees broader use of the merit scholarship program as a way to help students graduate in…
If you need financial aid to help you pay for college, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The 2017–18 FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2016 — three months earlier than usual — at 12 a.m. Central time. You should fill it out as soon as possible on the official government site, fafsa.gov. To…
Reading, writing, and arithmetic aren’t the only things our nation’s children will be learning this school year! Schools have made major strides in helping students learn the importance of healthy eating through balanced meals and nutrition education. Now that kids and teens are boarding their buses for another school year, the entire school community has…
FSBA #FridayFive – 5 Things You Should Know Don’t miss these 5 top education articles and announcements: The public’s view of public education 2016 PDK poll is in 16 ideas for education (you may not agree with all) 2017 Magna Awards Nomination Period Now Open Get ready to submit your best…
After months of criticism from Republican lawmakers, state chiefs, and teachers’ unions on its approach to spending rules for the Every Student Succeeds Act, the U.S. Department of Education last week released a new proposal that appears to give districts and states some additional flexibility when it comes to ensuring federal funds for low-income students…
Florida economists delivered some sobering news Wednesday to state lawmakers: Money is tight. Citing rising costs — especially in Medicaid spending where pharmaceutical costs have been climbing — economists forecast a $1.3 billion budget shortfall by 2018, when Gov. Rick Scott will be entering his final year as Florida’s chief executive. Read full article
Calling it a “game changer,” Florida leaders made a sweeping overhaul of teacher evaluations in 2011, tying those reviews to student test scores in a push to boost educator quality and, in turn, student achievement. But by the numbers, the new evaluations have led to little change. At the end of the 2009-10 school year,…
The St. Johns County School District is closing in on its superintendent search with four names advancing into the finalist phase. In-person interviews will begin the first week of October. After some debate during Tuesday’s workshop meeting, board members settled on candidates Tim Forson, Mark Porter, Vicke Cartwright and Elizabeth Alves. Read full article