The well-being of Florida’s children has slipped in the latest national ranking, with a rise in the number of low birth-weight babies, more child and teen deaths and more teens abusing alcohol or drugs. Read More
Education Department Unveils Disaster-Response Team as Aid Bill Heads to Trump
The U.S. Department of Education has formed a five-person team that will be devoted full-time to helping schools recover from hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, one of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ top deputies told a group of House lawmakers Wednesday. Read More
Congress finally passes Hurricane Michael aid
The U.S. House on Monday voted to approve a massive $19.1 billion disaster aid bill that includes money for Hurricane Michael recovery efforts in Florida. The sweeping package — which will also fund disaster recovery efforts in other states and territories — passed the House with broad bipartisan support after being stalled by a series […]
Florida presses ahead with workforce education changes
Gov. Ron DeSantis made no secret of his desire to have Florida become first in the nation when it comes to workforce preparation. Even before he receives a bill (HB 7071) aiming the state in that direction, DeSantis is likely to see his goal move closer to reality through some executive moves in the Department […]
Will Florida be ready for 2020 Census?
Florida, as we know, is decidedly not California. The two coastal giants, Nos. 3 and 1 among states in population, are competing for congressional seats and federal funding in the 2020 Census, and they’re going about it differently. California has budgeted more than $100 million and has more than two dozen people working to reach […]
Koch group launches TV ad calling for universal school vouchers
The Legislative session doesn’t kick off until Tuesday but it’s already clear that the education policy debate will be different this year. With a new, conservative state Supreme Court and Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing for allowing tax dollars to subsidize students going to private schools, many long-time education advocates said 2019 feels like a turning […]
DeSantis: Use Trump tax plan to expand charter schools
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to leverage a tax incentive championed by President Donald Trump to launch a five-fold expansion of charter schools in the state. The DeSantis budget proposed linking the state‘s Schools of Hope program to federal “opportunity zones”created by Trump’s $1.5 billion tax plan. At least 247 Florida communities would be eligible for […]
Scrap Discipline Guidance, Consider Arming School Staff, Trump Commission Says
A panel created by President Donald Trump to help prevent future school shootings called Tuesday for getting rid of Obama administration guidance aimed at making sure students of color and students with disabilities aren’t disciplined more harshly than their peers. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who leads the Federal Commission on School Safety, said […]
Clock ticks down on GOP Congress
Lawmakers are facing an end-of-the-year traffic jam with legislation piling up and a tight schedule that leaves them little wiggle room. Leadership is juggling a backlog of must-pass bills and nominations as well as eleventh-hour requests from rank-and-file members as legislators try to cram as much as possible into the final days of the work […]
Nelson Concedes, Scott Wins Florida Senate Race
Three-term Senator Bill Nelson is conceding defeat to Republican Governor Rick Scott in the race for U.S. Senate. All of Florida’s 67 counties submitted final vote tallies to Tallahassee at noon on Sunday. Read More