Despite Problems With Florida’s New Test, Lawmaker Opposes Cancelling Contract

The chairman of the Senate Education committee says lawmakers aren’t interested in cancelling the six-year, $220 million contract with Florida new statewide test provider despite multiple problems with the new exams already. Twice this year contractor American Institutes for Research made changes to their system which prevented students and administrators from accessing the exam. Some…

Florida education department clarifies rules on student retention, teacher evaluations

The passage of HB 7069 into law changed the rules for evaluating Florida students and teachers. Exactly how has been the subject of much debate. There’s been a healthy back and forth, for instance, over whether the Legislature’s action gave school districts more flexibility on retaining third graders who score at the lowest levels of…

Legislative stalemate puts Florida school districts in a budgeting bind

The early end to this year’s legislative session, without an approved budget, has put Florida school district leaders on edge. Even in normal circumstances, school boards often struggle to craft spending plans largely dictated by state funding formulas. This year, they face the task without any hard numbers as a starting point. “It’s exceedingly difficult,”…

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Physical Education Program named as a model program by UNESCO

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Physical Education Program has been named as a model program for North America by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in their case study report, “Quality Physical Education”. This publication was developed in partnership with the European Commission, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, the International…

FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 04-30-2015

SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE Governor Scott issued a press release stating, among other things, his intention to establish a Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding charged with examining health care issues and gathering information that could inform the building of a budget before July 1. In addition, the Governor stated that he would immediately begin working…

Which state tests carry the highest stakes? Florida’s at the top of the list

Hearing complaints that state tests carry too many consequences, the Hechinger Reportreviewed the stakes attached to Common Core-associated exams in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Its question was, essentially, how will each state use its test scores? “We found that very few states will be using this spring’s scores for any student-related decisions. And…

FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 04-29-2015

FSBA LEGISLATIVE SESSION REVIEW WORKSHOPS Normally, at the end of each legislative session, FSBA compiles a comprehensive Legislative Session Summary and conducts a series of Legislative Session Review Workshops throughout the state.  We had set a tentative schedule for these Workshops but, given the absence of a state budget, uncertainty of when the state budget…