Florida School Boards Association
A new Florida law would let anyone in the state challenge, and possibly change, what kids are learning in school.Any Florida resident can raise concerns about teaching material they find unfit for public school classrooms, according to legislation that went into effect Saturday. The bill was introduced in February by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, and…
For years, Florida politicians have trashed public schools, describing them as “failures.” Traditional public schools get it wrong, they say. Charter schools get it right, they say. We need to take money away from “failing” traditional schools and give more of it to charter schools, they say. Yet when school grades were released this past…
Florida’s school grades, which are based partially on test scores, are improving after three years of students taking exams based on the state’s version of the Common Core standards.The percentage of schools statewide earning the top two grades on the Jeb Bush-era A-to-F rating system jumped from 46 percent in 2015-16 to 57 percent in…
As Gov. Rick Scott took the podium Thursday to announce his support for the Legislature’s big education bill, he used words that have become increasingly familiar to Floridians, speaking of the need to “help all students.” Read More
or-profit charter schools are less likely to improve student achievement than nonprofit charter schools or traditional public schools, according to a new report from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO). On average, nonprofit charter schools — which represent the majority of charter schools in the U.S. — offer their students the equivalent…
Hialeah Republican Sen. René García told Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, in a letter today that he’s “not comfortable supporting any compromise” on increasing K-12 funding for 2017-18 that does not also address a controversial education policy bill that awaits Gov. Rick Scott‘s approval. García was one of three Senate Republicans to vote against HB 7069…
Florida Gov. Scott should veto the misbegotten K-12 education budget. Turn a deaf ear to his political foes’ contention that in doing so he would be caving in to (liberal) teacher’s unions. Swat down fantastical tales of overly larded public-school budgets. Decry, resolutely, the appallingly secretive deal-making between legislative leaders that, ultimately, leaves public schools…
When Florida began its voluntary prekindergarten program, the criticisms began that it aimed to serve many youngsters but with little quality. It’s been 15 years since voters put the system in place, and the reviews have yet to change. In a report released Wednesday, the National Institute for Early Education Research found Florida second of…
The state Department of Education and school districts are asking the Florida Supreme Court to reject an appeal in a case filed by parents opposed to standardized tests — an issue that involves what is known as the “opt out” movement. The dispute stems from parents who told third-grade students to put their names on…
Tallahassee, FL – After a three day extension, Florida’s Legislative Session has come to an end. Watch this FSBA Legislative Weekly Update for highlights, and be sure visit the FSBA Session Spotlight Blog and 2017 Legislative Session page for in-depth summaries, resources, and analyses. Also, be on the lookout for FSBA’s online and face-to-face Legislative Summary events.