Florida School Boards Association
Florida lawmakers and school leaders make a big deal about the state’s rising graduation rates, citing the importance of earning a diploma to finding success in college and career. Yet despite the climbing percentages, many students cannot pass the state’s required tests in reading or math. Some turn to alternate exams, some to adult education.…
Florida’s state capital seemed to hold its breath in relative silence, if only for a moment, as Ronald Dion DeSantis placed his hand on a Bible and took the oath as Florida’s 46th governor just before 12 p.m. on Tuesday. Following the dramatic 19-gun salute and Florida National Guard flyover, DeSantis then took to the…
Florida’s 10-year-old lawsuit contending the state has shortchanged some of its public education students has ended with the Supreme Court’s narrow rejection of the complaint. Three justices plus a substitute associate justice, subbing in for recused Justice Ricky Polston, agreed with the trial and appellate court rulings that the constitutional terms the plaintiffs relied upon are political…
Andrew Pollack, the father of slain Marjory Stoneman Douglas High student Meadow Pollack, is one of two appointees to the Florida Board of Education. Gov. Rick Scott nominated Pollack to a four-year term replacing Jacksonville businessman Gary Chartrand, who was ineligible because of term limits. Scott also reappointed former state Rep. Tom Grady of Naples…
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission on Wednesday released its long-awaited findings and recommendations in the aftermath of the Feb. 14 Parkland high school shooting — including a call to allow some teachers to carry weapons on campus. Read More Read Initial Report
Florida’s teacher shortage has been well documented and growing. It has come at a time when national data show educators quitting the profession at the highest rate in years. A Sarasota Democrat hopes to ease the resulting burden school districts face with a simple tweak to state retirement laws. Read More
While Florida’s school enrollment has reportedly failed to meet the state’s annual projections, the student population in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties has increased again this year. According to a report released Dec. 19 by the Legislature’s Office of Demographic and Economic Research, Florida has 17,142 fewer students in its K-12 system than state…
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis‘ Education and Workforce Development Committee continued deliberations Friday, its last telephonic meeting ahead of final recommendations to come. A previous meeting of the group emphasized school choice and accountability, concepts that jibe with the reform agenda of incoming Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. Read More
Another idea meant to protect students, designated “hard corners” or safe areas in a classroom in the event of a school shooting, could soon show up statewide. It’s an idea the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission is considering as a recommendation to the state, to better protect students. Read More
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis’ transition committee on education met Wednesday to discuss how the state could begin to implement his campaign proposal that 80 percent of all education funding be directed “into the classroom.” The short answer: it’s not going to be simple. Many committee members said the first step is to define what “classroom spending” would…