Scrap Discipline Guidance, Consider Arming School Staff, Trump Commission Says

A panel created by President Donald Trump to help prevent future school shootings called Tuesday for getting rid of Obama administration guidance aimed at making sure students of color and students with disabilities aren’t disciplined more harshly than their peers.  U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who leads the Federal Commission on School Safety, said…

FSBA Session Spotlight — December 17, 2018

As we approach the start of the 2019 Legislative Session on March 5, 2019, FSBA will be working to keep our members well informed of the activities of the Florida Legislature and related events in Tallahassee. Our main tools for accomplishing this are this Session Spotlight blog and our Legislative Session page.  In addition, we…

Richard Corcoran appointed Education Commissioner

Richard Corcoran is Florida’s next Education Commissioner.  The State Board of Education on Monday unanimously voted to appoint Corcoran Education Commissioner, meaning the former state House Speaker will lead the Department of Education after Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis takes office.  DeSantis earlier this month recommended Corcoran as the state’s next chief educational officer, making him all…

DeSantis education advisory panel calls for more choice, accountability in Florida schools

After two hours of discussion Thursday, Kim McDougal was enthusiastic.  “It’s a great day,” the former chief of staff and top education adviser to Gov. Rick Scott told colleagues attending Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ education transition team meeting.  “We’re moving from school choice to informed, high quality school choice,” she said. Read More

Florida school shooting panel takes up Trump’s call to arm teachers

The commission investigating Florida’s Parkland shooting recommended Wednesday that trained and willing educators be allowed to carry guns in schools, reigniting a debate about an idea President Donald Trump had embraced earlier this year.Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, chairman of the high-profile commission, suggested the idea late Wednesday as the panel worked to finalize a…

Public school allies sound the alarm over Corcoran recommendation and committee chairs

Public school advocates don’t like what they see and hear coming out of Tallahassee.Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’s selection of Richard Corcoran as his choice to be the next Education Commissioner and the appointment of two pro-charter school lawmakers – with questionable credentials, according to their critics – have led public education allies on the left and…

DeSantis names wide-ranging education transition committee

While speculation swirls over who he wants to be Florida’s next education commissioner, Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced his 41-person team to develop a plan aimed at implementing his education goals.  The list includes a broad cross-section of the state’s education advocacy groups, representing everything from district public schools to home schools. Some of…

Florida education commissioner Pam Stewart resigns

Pam Stewart, Florida’s education commissioner since 2013, announced her resignation Tuesday as speculation swirled that Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis sought to replace her with former House Speaker Richard Corcoran.  In a letter to State Board of Education chairwoman Marva Johnson, Stewart said she would return to her original plan to retire on Jan. 8. Read More