House panel rejects pitch to pause school grades

A proposal to eliminate some testing requirements for Florida schoolchildren won the unanimous support of a second House committee on Thursday. The real debate centered around an amendment proposed by Rep. Mia Jones. Jones, D-Jacksonville, proposed holding off on school grades during the transition to new standards and assessments — something superintendents, school board members…

FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-12-2015

In the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee: HB 143 – American Founders’ Month by Bileca — PASSED Designates September as “American Founders’ Month”; authorizes Governor to annually designate month; requires district school boards to celebrate American Founders by observing American Founders’ Month; provides that instruction may be integrated into existing school curriculum. HB 153 – Literacy Jump Start Pilot…

FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-11-2015

In the House Government Operations Subcommittee: HB 565 – Retirement by Beshears – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS) Authorizes local agency employers to reassess designation of positions for inclusion in SMS Class; provides for removal of certain positions. In the Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee: SB 380 – Persons with…

FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-10-2015

In the Local Government Affairs Subcommittee: HB 527 – Public Works Projects by Van Zant – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS) Prohibits state & political subdivisions that contract for construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of public works from imposing certain conditions on certain contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers or carriers; provides exception; prohibits state…

Florida testing troubles caused by cyber attack

Florida’s standardized exams that debuted last week suffered from cyber attacks that led to blank screens throughout the state as students attempted to take the tests, the Department of Education said Monday. Citing testing provider American Institutes for Research, the state education department said the hack, which is being investigated by the Florida Department of…