Florida lawmakers again seek to scale back restraint and seclusion of students with disabilities

Floridians long have criticized schools’ use of restraint and seclusion in handling out-of-control students with disabilities. Rule changes have been discussed since 2009, to limited effect despite clear intentions. State Sen. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican, is ready to try again. Flores has filed SB 452 this week with very direct goals: It would ban all student seclusion,…

Details

Will Gov. Rick Scott suspend Florida school grades? No.

So many groups have called on Florida Gov. Rick Scott to “pause” the state’s school accountability rules for 2015, it seemed the right time to put the question to him (well, his press office, really). The response: “Governor Scott believes in accountability and results. DOE (Department of Education) will continue to follow the law.” All other questions…

Details

Five activist organizations call on Gov. Rick Scott for accountability pause

Two key Florida civil rights organizations, along with three parent groups, have joined the growing crowd calling for reconsideration of the way the state’s spring test results are used. The NAACP and League of United Latin American Citizens Florida branches, Miami-Dade PTA, Fund Education Now and Parents Across America-Florida sent a letter Wednesday to Gov. Rick…

Details