Florida School Boards Association
Have you been wondering how the U.S. Department of Education would respond if a state passed a law that made opting out of state tests easier, both for parents and schools? Oregon may be about to provide a test case. The state’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill in April that would inform parents…
EdWeek’s annual Diplomas Count report shows that the U.S. high school on-time graduation rate has hit another all-time high with 81 percent of students graduating within four-years of entering high school. You may remember last month another report found the same. Both reports were based on similar data so it is not surprising they found…
In response to a previous study which made the case that online classes are not as effective at community colleges, the US Department of Education is funding a $1.6 million study concerning the effectiveness of virtual schooling in the state of Florida to take place over a three-year time span. A previous study presented at the…
The name of the most famous home-schooled athlete is bringing new currency to a debate that’s been going on for decades. With the National Federation of State High School Associations’ membership split on the issue, the group is serving as a venue for discussion. The name Tim Tebow elicits a wide variety of reactions across…
May edition of Board Notes … with features on Fremont Public Schools, a follow-up from last month’s Reinke/Deshler feature on creating opportunities in a small town, a list of upcoming events and networking opportunities, and much, much more! Board Notes Link – May 2015 As always, Board Notes, and other key resources can always be found here too, as…
The 2015 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, released today, feature information on thousands of public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data show that it’s incredibly difficult to achieve a gold, silver or bronze medal under the U.S. News methodology. Of the more than 19,000 eligible schools, only 6,517 were awarded medals,…
This week, Secretary Duncan announced the 2015 class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. This program was established by Executive Order in 1964 to honor academic achievement by graduating high school seniors. It was expanded in 1979 to honor students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the arts. Each year, 141 students are named, including at least one young…
Today’s economy demands that all young people develop high-level literacy, quantitative reasoning, problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills, all grounded in a rigorous and content-rich K-12 curriculum. Acquiring these skills ensures that high school graduates are academically prepared to pursue the future of their choosing. Many state tests, however, continue to mislead the public about…
With over 81 percent of students graduating within four-years of entering high school, the Class of 2013 achieved the highest on-time graduation rate in U.S. history according to the 2015 Building a Grad Nation report. After graduation rates languished in the low 70s for nearly four decades, rates have accelerated dramatically over the past decade.…
Tuesday is National Teacher Day, part of Teacher Appreciation Week, which has taken on special resonance in recent years as many teachers feel increasingly dishonored by policymakers who have put them at the center of controversial reforms. So what do teachers get during this commemoration? Some companies offer discounts to teachers for various items, and…