Next year’s state budget boasts what Governor Scott has called record funding for K-12 education. After deep cuts spurred by the Recession, per-pupil spending, known as FEFP, or Florida Education Finance Program has indeed hit a new high—but not when you account for inflation. In real terms, the state’s contribution is down nearly 8%, and…
Some South Florida charter schools have been known to vanish quickly, and so have their taxpayer-funded books, computers and furniture. School districts are required to inventory charter school property before and after a school closes. Districts can then use the returned property at other traditional or charter schools in the county. Read full article
TALLAHASSEE- A four-week trial challenging Florida’s entire public education system and its hallmark components — such as standardized testing, school grades and “school choice” options, like charter schools — concluded Friday. Numerous witnesses, including state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, testified in Leon County Circuit Court during the trial, which began in mid-March. Judge George Reynolds…
TALLAHASSEE — After cutting state borrowing by about $2.5 billion since he took office, Gov. Rick Scott has reversed course and backed a legislative plan to finance more than $600 million in education construction projects in the new budget. It will mark the first time since 2011 that the state has issued bonds to pay…
1. How quickly will students find their careers? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/education/edlife/will-you-sprint-stroll-or-stumble-into-a-career.html?_r=0 2. If you haven’t heard of Sal Khan, you should have: http://chronicle.com/article/How-Sal-Khan-Hopes-to-Remake/235895 3. Florida’s testing season has begun: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/florida-standards-assessment-smooth-start 4. Short on teachers? You are not alone: http://aminewswire.com/stories/510704904-teacher-shortages-continue-nationwide 5. SREF could be a little more flexible: http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/florida/2016/04/8595959/schools-could-get-new-flexibility-construction-laws
TALLAHASSEE — School districts would have new flexibility from state building laws under a massive education bill passed by the Legislature during the final hours of the 2016 session. HB 7029, which Gov. Rick Scott is considering, includes a variety of changes to laws governing school facilities construction, including provisions that would free districts from…
April is the official National Financial Literacy Month, yet there is a lack of basic financial education in Florida’s schools, setting the stage for major problems for individuals, families, businesses and communities. On Monday, April 4th, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) released results from a new study called, “Bridging the Financial Literacy Gap: Empowering teachers to support the…
TALLAHASSEE — The landscape of Florida high school athletics is poised to change starting next school year, but just how drastically remains to be seen. The “school choice” legislation that lawmakers passed last month — and that awaits Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s signature — includes provisions long sought by the Republican-led Legislature to ensure that…
Parents of third graders across Florida have raised loud complaints lately that their school administrators and teachers have threatened their children with retention if they don’t pass the Florida Standards Assessment or an alternate test. District officials say they’re sticking to state law, which says: “To be promoted to grade 4, a student must score…
BRADENTON — With the help of her grandmother, 7-year-old Chloe Smith sometimes makes grilled cheese sandwiches at home. She knows the sandwich is ready when the slices of cheese in the middle get gooey and drip off the edges of the bread. Until Monday, Chloe didn’t fully make the connection of what she was doing…