More than half of Florida school districts lack social media policies for teachers

A majority of Florida’s school districts have no policy on the use of social media by teachers and other employees, increasing the potential for misuse and inappropriate teacher-student relationships online, according to an analysis conducted by a University of Florida educational leadership scholar. Doctoral candidate Jesse Gates found that only 32 of the state’s 68…

Liability insurance offered to Florida educators

After breaking up nine years ago, the state reconciled with insurance giant Gallagher & Co. and is now offering $2 million professional liability insurance coverage for educators and instructional staff. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart says that the program offers full-time instructional personnel – which, under state statutes, includes teachers, learning resource specialists, education paraprofessionals and…

Florida school districts get more advice on Best and Brightest bonus

The Florida Department of Education continues to issue more guidelines on the controversial Best and Brightest teacher bonus program, as the Oct. 1 application deadline approaches. Its latest round of information seeks to answer questions raised by superintendents charged with determining teacher eligibility. Among the highlights, the department has explained that only classroom teachers are…