Florida lawmakers again seek to scale back restraint and seclusion of students with disabilities

Floridians long have criticized schools’ use of restraint and seclusion in handling out-of-control students with disabilities. Rule changes have been discussed since 2009, to limited effect despite clear intentions. State Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican, is ready to try again. Flores has filed SB 452 this week with very direct goals: It would ban all student seclusion,…

Will Gov. Rick Scott suspend Florida school grades? No.

So many groups have called on Florida Gov. Rick Scott to “pause” the state’s school accountability rules for 2015, it seemed the right time to put the question to him (well, his press office, really). The response: “Governor Scott believes in accountability and results. DOE (Department of Education) will continue to follow the law.” All other questions…

Five activist organizations call on Gov. Rick Scott for accountability pause

Two key Florida civil rights organizations, along with three parent groups, have joined the growing crowd calling for reconsideration of the way the state’s spring test results are used. The NAACP and League of United Latin American Citizens Florida branches, Miami-Dade PTA, Fund Education Now and Parents Across America-Florida sent a letter Wednesday to Gov. Rick…

Local superintendents question FSA results

Escambia and Santa Rosa schools superintendents have joined others statewide to oppose using the Florida Standards Assessment to measure teacher performance and school grades. Malcolm Thomas, Escambia County School District superintendent, as well as Tim Wyrosdick with the Santa Rosa School District, said they support accountability but described the 2015 FSA as a very hastily…

Hoping to spur action, Owen Roberts quits state-level testing panel

Citing disillusionment with the Florida Department of Education’s rollout of the controversial Florida Standards Assessment, the tests’ validity and the consequences for students, teachers and schools, Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Owen Roberts announced his resignation from a state-level testing and education review committee Tuesday night. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart established the Keep Florida Learning…

Leon, Wakulla Score Well On FSA Test As Education Groups Push Back

Historically high-performing districts would largely remain at the top, and historical poor performers, near the bottom. That’s according to district-level performance results from the new Florida Standards Assessment. Leon County has been near the top but as the news isn’t as good for the rest of the surrounding counties. Listen/Read full article