Florida education proposal tagged as Amendment 8 (sound familiar?)

The Florida Constitution Revision’s already controversial education proposal is quickly gaining its own social media tag based on its anticipated spot on the November ballot — #Amendment8.  If that sounds familiar to education advocates across the state, it should. Eight years ago, they waged a heated campaign for a different Amendment 8 also focused on schools.…

Proposed changes to Florida’s substitute tests would no longer affect current high school students

Florida high school students got some unexpected relief Monday as they headed into the state’s annual spring testing season.  Those who struggle on certain gatekeeper exams won’t have to race to complete substitute ones before the State Board of Education imposes new rules.  Amid rising complaints from educators and families, the Department of Education staff altered its recommendation…

Constitution Revision Commission advances bundled education proposal to November ballot

Despite calls to treat each idea separately, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission has sent a proposal to voters that would set school board member term limits, require civic education in public schools, and allow for the creation of a state charter school authorizer.  Commission member Roberto Martinez, a former State Board of Education chairman and…

Three education ideas in one proposed Florida constitutional amendment earns negative reviews

In the Florida Legislature, the act of lumping several unrelated ideas together in one bill is called logrolling, and it’s generally frowned upon.  In the vicennial Florida Constitution Revision Commission, it’s allowed. And commissioners are taking that liberty on several measures, including three that they’re recommending be combined into one education question (P 6003).  The…

Seventeen amendments on November ballot? Whoa! | Editorial

It’s beginning to look like a long day at the polls Nov. 6. If the Constitution Revision Commission doesn’t come to its senses, there will be 17 amendments on the ballot, an unenviable record. Some of its members worried aloud the other day about “voter fatigue,” as well they should. When there were merely 11…

Voters beware: Don’t be fooled by deceptive education proposal | Guest column

The Constitution Revision Commission is just one step away from finalizing the list of proposed constitutional changes that will go on the November ballot. We’ll soon find out how the “shell game” of packaging proposals into bundles that will be voted up or down plays out.  There are multiple opportunities for subterfuge at this point in…

FSBA Session Spotlight — April 9, 2018

We are pleased to announce that we have posted links to the recordings of our two Legislative Session Review Webinars – the first webinar focuses on education appropriations and the second focuses on education legislation. You may access our FSBA 2018 Legislative Session Summary and both of these webinars on the FSB website on our 2018 Legislative…

Constitution panel bundles 12 amendments for ballot consideration

A committee of the powerful Constitution Revision Commission advanced several constitutional amendments that may appear on voters’ ballots in November, including a proposal that would make Miami-Dade’s sheriff an elected position and an ethics measure that would bar former officials from lobbying for six years.  In a three-hour meeting, the commission’s Style and Drafting Committee…

Florida Constitution Revision Commission looks to connect education proposals into single items

Florida voters would see 24 proposals rolled into 12 amendments on the November ballot under a preliminary proposal unanimously adopted by the Style and Drafting Committee of the powerful Constitution Revision Commission on Wednesday.  The proposal was prepared by Commissioner Brecht Heuchan, chair of the committee, which has the power to decide which amendments get…

Leon County judge rules against school districts’ challenge of HB 7069

After a nearly 5-hour hearing, Leon County Judge John Cooper wasted little time Wednesday in throwing out several school districts’ challenge of HB 7069, the controversial 2017 education legislation that created a new class of charter schools, among several other measures.  Cooper found the law constitutional. Read More