Galvano says Supreme Court makeover could prompt ‘bold’ education reforms

State Senate President Bill Galvano told a Sarasota business audience Tuesday that the more conservative Florida Supreme Court being fashioned by Gov. Ron DeSantis could pave the way for education reforms that had been struck down in the past.  “We have a new court,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, told a sold-out crowd of 270 at the Argus…

School choice a priority for Ron DeSantis, Richard Corcoran

Governor-elect Ron DeSantis‘ Education and Workforce Development Committee continued deliberations Friday, its last telephonic meeting ahead of final recommendations to come.  A previous meeting of the group emphasized school choice and accountability, concepts that jibe with the reform agenda of incoming Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. Read More

DeSantis education advisory panel calls for more choice, accountability in Florida schools

After two hours of discussion Thursday, Kim McDougal was enthusiastic.  “It’s a great day,” the former chief of staff and top education adviser to Gov. Rick Scott told colleagues attending Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ education transition team meeting.  “We’re moving from school choice to informed, high quality school choice,” she said. Read More

Public school allies sound the alarm over Corcoran recommendation and committee chairs

Public school advocates don’t like what they see and hear coming out of Tallahassee.Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’s selection of Richard Corcoran as his choice to be the next Education Commissioner and the appointment of two pro-charter school lawmakers – with questionable credentials, according to their critics – have led public education allies on the left and…

Florida Supreme Court considers education funding challenge

Florida’s Supreme Court justices gave just a few hints Thursday of how they’re thinking about a 9-year-old case that contends, essentially, that the Legislature has shortchanged some students in the state’s public education system.  The case, Citizens for Strong Schools vs. Florida Board of Education, focuses on the Florida constitution’s mandate that the state has a “paramount…

Bucking allies, school choice group favors IRS proposal on tax credits

A Florida-based advocacy group that pushes Georgia and other states to help fund private schools so more children can attend them is breaking ranks with allies over a controversial proposed federal tax rule.  The proposal by the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service would limit or eliminate the federal tax break for donors in state…

Opinion – Ferrandino: Privatization weakens public schools

We are in a hidden battle in Florida, and in Sarasota County, to save our public schools. It’s one reason this primary election is so important.  Public schools in Sarasota remain a source of pride and hope in our community. The Sarasota County School District has received an A rating for the 15th consecutive year…

Florida’s newest voucher program to start in fall, as Hope Scholarship rules approved by state board

Florida’s newest voucher program is to begin this fall, with parents who say their children are bullied in public schools able to apply for private-school scholarships that could pay tuition for part of the 2018-19 school year.The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved the rules for the new Hope Scholarship program, which was created…