Florida School Boards Association
TALLAHASSEE — In their first tangible sign of progress in weeks, legislative leaders Friday set the agenda for a June special session to include a budget, Medicaid expansion, tax cuts and several other issues. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, issued a joint proclamation that specifies issues to be…
DetailsGrowing up in St. Petersburg, Sally Henderson didn’t give a thought to becoming a teacher. She planned to be a lawyer. Seven years after taking a teaching job while raising money for law school, Henderson can’t imagine being anything else. The West Tampa Elementary third-grade team leader loves it so much that she became one…
DetailsThe 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,…
DetailsTAVARES — Twenty-two Lake County schools have been recognized for volunteerism, the highest number the school district has had since it began tracking the award. The schools received the Golden School Award from the Florida Department of Education as part of its efforts to promote parent and community involvement in education, according to a press…
DetailsStudents love him for his charisma and open-mindedness. Teachers say he’s a dedicated mentor. David Samore, who leads Okeeheelee Middle in Greenacres, now has another accolade: Florida’s Principal of the Year. The Palm Beach County school district announced Thursday that Samore was selected as the top principal for middle and high schools by the Florida…
DetailsThe Legislature-mandated validity study of Florida’s new accountability tests is officially under way. It started Friday morning with a 90-minute conversation about how to pick a firm to review the exams, and what that firm should look for. The six key areas of the review, as listed on a draft scope of work, were test…
DetailsEducation Commissioner Pam Stewart says she is largely meeting goals leading Florida schools. The State Department of Education posted Stewart’s self-evaluation of her performance Thursday. The State Board of Education is scheduled to discuss Stewart’s evaluation at a meeting next week. Stewart says she has met the top three goals set out for her by…
DetailsThe Florida Standards Assessment Review Selection Panel was established during the 2015 Regular Session in House Bill 7069 for the purpose of selecting an independent entity to conduct an independent verification of the psychometric validity of the Florida Standards Assessment. The selection must occur no later than June 1, 2015, and must consider, at a…
DetailsThis 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…
DetailsThe three-person committee charged with choosing an independent reviewer of Florida’s new state tests will begin its work on Friday. The Standards Review Selection Panel, established in HB 7069, is comprised of appointees from the governor, House speaker and Senate president. The members are Sen. Jeremy Ring, Flagler College president William Proctor and St. Johns schools…
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