FSBA #FridayFive – Week of August 1, 2016

FSBA #FridayFive – Week of August 1, 2016 – 5 Things You Should Know Supreme Court Blocks Rules On Transgender Virginia Student’s Bathroom School board member input critical to Regional Advisory Committees at the U.S. Department of Education survey US teachers get less training than leaders in world educ stats Where Florida ranks on school safety,…

Florida education commissioner chimes in on federal Every Student Succeeds Act

Days after closing the window on public input for Florida’s effort to implement new federal education accountability rules, state education commissioner Pam Stewart has sent her own views to U.S. Education Secretary John King.  In her seven-page letter, Stewart touts Florida’s existing system, and reminds the secretary that the federal government cannot force states to…

Principals Clamor for Inclusion in States’ ESSA Planning

The new federal K-12 education law contains the strongest requirements to date that states gather and weigh the opinions of principals, parents, and others as they create new education plans.  But whether states are practicing this kind of “meaningful consultation”—and particularly whether they are tapping the expertise of their principals — depends very much on…

Florida Commissioner of Education Comments on U.S. Department of Education Proposed ESSA Regulations

As the Commissioner of Education for Florida, I appreciate the flexibility afforded states by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to establish a workable, student-centric system of statewide accountability focused on increasing student achievement. The accountability mechanisms established under ESSA are comprehensive and considered. Read full commentary  

OnBoard Blog, August 2016 – “It’s Time to Start Thinking About New Board Member Orientation”

  Large or small, every school board should hold an orientation for new board members because it benefits the organization, including the scope of people it serves. All boards have a unique set of dynamics and expectations. An effective new board member orientation will be carried out by key individuals using a specific structure. Regardless…