Florida and local health officials are mobilizing a citizens army to combat the Zika virus. It’s prime mosquito breeding season and Florida leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne virus with 102 cases as of May 5. Residents of at least 17 counties have travel-related infections. Zika can cause birth defects…
Of all the impassioned debate we’ve witnessed in this presidential campaign, there has been remarkably little said about a policy issue critical to America’s future: public education. When the candidates have talked about education, they have primarily focused on higher education, which is provided through colleges and universities. Our presidential candidates have largely been silent…
A proposal by Monroe County School District staff to bring back random drug testing of student athletes drew more questions than support from School Board members when they met Tuesday. Board member Bobby Highsmith, an attorney who played football at Key West High School, opposed the random drug testing, saying it’s unfair to single out…
TALLAHASSEE — Talk of a special session to deal with Florida’s workers’ compensation insurance appears to be nothing more than that. Last week two high-ranking Republicans in the Florida Cabinet openly asked whether the Legislature needs to hold a special session in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling tossing out caps on attorney…
TALLAHASSEE — Thousands of youths in Florida’s child-welfare system have gotten in trouble with the law — and when they do, their caregivers often refuse to take them back. Now, policymakers are trying to improve services to the teens, saying those children had already been abused or neglected when they began acting out in foster…
Three hundred fifty high schoolers signed up to vote through the voter registration challenge sponsored by the Leon County School board and Supervisor of Elections. The challenge had Chiles and Godby high schools facing off to see which school could get the most new registrants. Godby students created a buzz by making register to vote…
TALLAHASSEE — A coalition of teacher unions and civil rights groups representing millions of public school children gets a second crack at persuading the courts they have the right to sue the state over a school voucher program that pays for children to go to religious private schools. But before they walk through the courthouse…
Last December, Congress passed a new federal education law called the Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing No Child Left Behind. With it will come new rules for states to follow regarding standardized testing for “accountability” purposes. Negotiators have agreed on draft rules, which will soon be released so the public can comment before the rules…
Along with ending its athletics transfer review committee, the Pasco County school district is rewriting its student-athlete eligibility rules in light of newly adopted state law that makes it easier for teens to move and still play their sports. The administration is asking the School Board to approve new language to the Code of Conduct…
#FridayFive – Week of April 25, 2016 Telecom companies’ financial decisions leave some schools without internet Simpson’s paradox and this year’s NAEP scores 90% of parents think their children are at or above grade level Tennessee cancels testing after vendor fails to deliver Lots of success stories in public schools