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…
DetailsThe early end to this year’s legislative session, without an approved budget, has put Florida school district leaders on edge. Even in normal circumstances, school boards often struggle to craft spending plans largely dictated by state funding formulas. This year, they face the task without any hard numbers as a starting point. Broward County Superintendent…
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FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #9 Our Final Video Update for the 2015 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 9 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page) or by using…
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This Video Update features FSBA Interim Executive Director Bill Graham and FSBA Director of Board Development Andrea Messina commenting on the impacts of the budget impasse. Please be sure to inform your legislators about the difficulties you will experience in your district if a state budget is not adopted soon and urge them to return as soon…
DetailsThe chairman of the Senate Education committee says lawmakers aren’t interested in cancelling the six-year, $220 million contract with Florida new statewide test provider despite multiple problems with the new exams already. Twice this year contractor American Institutes for Research made changes to their system which prevented students and administrators from accessing the exam. Some…
DetailsThe passage of HB 7069 into law changed the rules for evaluating Florida students and teachers. Exactly how has been the subject of much debate. There’s been a healthy back and forth, for instance, over whether the Legislature’s action gave school districts more flexibility on retaining third graders who score at the lowest levels of…
DetailsThe early end to this year’s legislative session, without an approved budget, has put Florida school district leaders on edge. Even in normal circumstances, school boards often struggle to craft spending plans largely dictated by state funding formulas. This year, they face the task without any hard numbers as a starting point. “It’s exceedingly difficult,”…
DetailsMiami-Dade County Public Schools’ Physical Education Program has been named as a model program for North America by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in their case study report, “Quality Physical Education”. This publication was developed in partnership with the European Commission, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education, the International…
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SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE Governor Scott issued a press release stating, among other things, his intention to establish a Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding charged with examining health care issues and gathering information that could inform the building of a budget before July 1. In addition, the Governor stated that he would immediately begin working…
DetailsGoing into the 2015 Florida legislative session, Senate Education Committee chairman John Legg said only one school-related bill mattered: Changes to the state’s testing system. In the end, that’s all lawmakers could manage to accomplish before the House abruptly ended session three days early over budget disagreements. HB 7069 is one of just nine bills…
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