A controversial proposal aimed at curtailing lawsuits against the state by the Florida School Boards Association is back for the 2016 session and is starting to move through both chambers of the Florida Legislature. House Bill 1155/Senate Bill 1426 prohibit membership groups — namely, the FSBA — from using public dollars to sue the state, a move that critics argue…
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is trying to sell the country on the same flawed education policies causing turmoil in our state. Bush unveiled an education plan Monday as part of his presidential campaign. It echoes the policies he supported as governor, such as increasing the number of charter schools. Last week, Florida teachers rallied…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS [NOTE: The bills listed below are linked to the each bill’s website where you can find information about the bill including the bill sponsor, committees of reference, and staff analysis. The committees/subcommittees are linked to each committee’s website where you can find information about the committee including the committee’s membership and staff, the committee’s meeting…
Setting the tone for an adversarial debate this session, Florida House Republican leaders want to rein in what they call a “disturbing pattern” of school districts “glaringly and grossly” exceeding a state-imposed limit for spending on school construction projects. Citing annual data that districts report to the state, House education budget Chairman Rep. Erik Fresen,…
This Video Update features FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing an overview of the week’s activities and a discussion of several bills that were considered last week including HJR 759 – Charter Schools, SB 434 – Principal Autonomy Pilot Program, SB 978 – Public School Teachers, and HB 1021 – Award of Attorney Fees /…
FSBA WEEKLY VIDEO UPDATE FSBA Video Update #2 has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2016 Legislative Session Updates (located in the right hand menu on our main page) or by using this direct link: https://fsba.org/2016-legislative-weekly-video-update-2/. This Video Update features FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina…
1. NAEP assessment going digital: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/dba/?twitter11916 2. Accountability requires a flexible system: http://educationnext.org/the-case-for-maximum-state-flexibility-on-essa-accountability/ 3. Quality Counts 2016 is out: http://www.edweek.org/ew/qc/2016/2016-state-report-cards-map.html 4. Children’s Week is January 24 to January 29: http://childrensweek.org/index.php/events/2014-children-s-week 5. Get recognized as part of the Schools of Opportunity project of the National Education Policy Center. The project recognizes public schools for what they do to give all…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS [NOTE: The bills listed below are linked to the each bill’s website where you can find information about the bill including the bill sponsor, committees of reference, and staff analysis. The committees/subcommittees are linked to each committee’s website where you can find information about the committee including the committee’s leadership, membership and staff, the committee’s…
Despite heavy skepticism, the Florida Senate Education Committee has kept alive an effort to extend a controversial bonus based on teachers’ ACT and SAT scores. The committee had been seen as the most likely spot where the program, which many teachers have roundly attacked, would fall apart. Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, opposed the bill. “The rewarding…
TALLAHASSEE – In a pivotal vote, a Senate education committee on Wednesday narrowly gave its support for continuing a controversial program that awards teacher bonuses based, in part, on how well they did on college-entrance exams. Although the “Best and Brightest” program is in its first year, senators didn’t debate it last year — only the House did —…