Florida School Boards Association
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…
Part of a controversial and wide-ranging education bill (HB 7069) signed by Gov. Rick Scott could affect the credit ratings of some of the state’s school districts, according to a report released Thursday by Moody’s Investors Service. The report said a requirement that school districts share construction funds generated by local property taxes with charter…
With Gov. Rick Scott’s signature, HB 7069 gained a new level of scrutiny for its potential impact on Florida public education. Among many of the state’s school board members and district government relations types, though, the conversation quickly turned to one item that did not appear in the bill — language about ensuring that state…
In a move surprised few and angered many, Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed into law a massive education bill that legislative leaders crafted behind closed doors in the final days of their spring session. He did so at an Orlando Catholic school that serves children with special needs, highlighting the bill’s $30 million…
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…
With a controversial and wide-ranging education bill now on his desk, Gov. Rick Scott faces intense pressure from both sides as he weighs whether to sign or veto the legislation. Rumors have begun floating that Scott will sign HB 7069 later this week, but officially the governor maintains that he hasn’t made a final decision. …
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…
Advocates of traditional public education welcomed Gov. Rick Scott’s demand on Friday that lawmakers redo the K-12 education budget for next year and boost it with $215 million in additional spending. But school superintendents, teachers union leaders and others cautioned that those added dollars won’t be good enough if Scott intends to also sign House…
The Palm Beach County school board is taking its battle over charter school approval to the Florida Supreme Court. Board members have taken a hard line against charter schools they feel are not innovative — but the state intervened and overturned the board’s rejection of a school that did not meet those standards. Read More
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…