Remember the first time Florida issued school grades? It was back in the late 1990s, and they came across as a novel way to quickly show whether a school was performing well or badly. The state based the A-through-F marks on simple performance, and handed out money to schools that had top results. The concept…
This Video Update features FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina reporting on legislation — HJR 759 / SJR 976 — proposing an amendment to the Florida Constitution that would establish a separate entity to authorize and operate charter schools as well as recently released House and Senate proposals relating to charter school capital outlay funding. Ms.…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida is finally releasing school grades based on tests given nearly a year ago. The Florida Department of Education on Friday issued grades for schools that are linked to the state’s new high-stakes test. The Florida Standards Assessment is based primarily on Common Core standards. The preliminary grades given out for…
TALLAHASSEE – The Senate and House on Thursday passed differing versions of a state budget but with the common theme of opposition to Gov. Rick Scott’s biggest priorities. The Senate declared Scott’s goal of $1 billion in tax cuts dead on arrival and “fiscally irresponsible” in the words of its top budget-writer, Sen. Tom Lee,…
1. Online learning is here to stay: http://www.kpk12.com/wp-content/uploads/Evergreen_KeepingPace_2015.pdf 2. Education may cut dementia risk: http://www.techtimes.com/articles/132727/20160211/can-education-reduce-alzheimers-risk-study-finds-link-between-dementia-and-high-school-diploma.htm 3. Low performing students: why they fall behind and how to help them succeed:http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/Low-performers-infographic-EN.pdf 4. 2016 Florida Tax Handbook released:http://edr.state.fl.us/content/revenues/reports/tax-handbook/taxhandbook2016.pdf 5. King officially nominated as Education Secretary by Obama: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/02/11/obama-to-nominate-john-b-king-jr-to-officially-take-the-role-of-education-secretary/
CHARTER SCHOOL CAPITAL OUTLAY UPDATE As we reported to you earlier this week, the House has amended HB 873 to include new provisions for funding charter school capital outlay needs. The bill replaces the existing eligibility criteria for charter school outlay funding to provide that, in order to be eligible, a charter school must be part of…
TALLAHASSEE – A familiar face is back at the center of a perennial tug-of-war in the Florida Legislature between privately-managed charter schools and district-run public schools over taxpayer money for construction projects: Erik Fresen, the Miami Republican who controls the purse for education funding in the Florida House. His connections to the charter school industry…
The newest Florida school grading formula became official on Tuesday, and state education officials indicated that 2015 school grades based on the formula would follow soon after. Many people expected the results, which will look much like a simulation released in December, on Tuesday concurrent with the new rule taking effect. Thursday morning, however, found school district officials…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS [NOTE: The bills and committees listed below are linked to their respective websites where you can find additional information.] In the House Judiciary Committee: HB 11 – Missing Persons with Special Needs by Porter – AMENDED; PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS) Creates pilot projects in specified counties to provide personal devices to aid search-and-rescue efforts…
TALLAHASSEE – With resounding opposition from Democrats and school officials, Republican lawmakers in the Florida House are fast-tracking a proposal to significantly change how public school districts use taxpayer money to fund construction projects, while making it easier for charter schools to get capital dollars. Education budget committee Chairman Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, is spearheading…