Broward takes lead in challenging state law that benefits charter schools

The Broward County School Board voted Wednesday to sue the state over a new law that requires public school districts to share property tax revenue with charter schools and relinquishes their authority to approve charter applications. Broward was the first to take action, but other districts are holding similar meetings within the next two weeks,…

Now anyone in Florida can challenge what’s taught in schools

A new Florida law would let anyone in the state challenge, and possibly change, what kids are learning in school.Any Florida resident can raise concerns about teaching material they find unfit for public school classrooms, according to legislation that went into effect Saturday. The bill was introduced in February by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, and…

Charter schools could get $96M in capital aid from Florida school districts next year

Florida’s 650 charter schools could see as much as an extra $96.3 million coming their way in 2017-18, thanks to a controversial provision in a sweeping education bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law that forces school districts to hand over some of their local tax dollars.  An aspect of HB 7069 that most concerned…

In The Weeds: Florida Lawmakers Provide Medical Marijuana Guidance For The Workplace

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a medical marijuana bill into law on Friday that provides guidelines on the implementation of the state’s Constitutional Amendment regarding medical marijuana. The good news for employers: the bill provides additional guidance on the amendment’s application in the workplace. The bad news for employers: the bill will almost certainly invite…

In The Weeds: Florida Lawmakers Provide Medical Marijuana Guidance For The Workplace

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a medical marijuana bill into law on Friday that provides guidelines on the implementation of the state’s Constitutional Amendment regarding medical marijuana. The good news for employers: the bill provides additional guidance on the amendment’s application in the workplace. The bad news for employers: the bill will almost certainly invite…

Florida Council of 100 Releases PreK-3 Recommendations 

The Florida Council of 100 has released The Horizons 2040 Project: PreK-3 recommendations.  These recommendations come as part of a long-term vision for education in Florida, and they will be followed in months and years to come with additional recommendations at Grades 4-8 and 9-12. Prior to the public release, the Council met with the…

School grades rise following rollout of Common Core-aligned tests

Florida’s school grades, which are based partially on test scores, are improving after three years of students taking exams based on the state’s version of the Common Core standards.The percentage of schools statewide earning the top two grades on the Jeb Bush-era A-to-F rating system jumped from 46 percent in 2015-16 to 57 percent in…

Credit rating agency: HB 7069 could affect Florida school districts’ financial standing

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…