New bill could allow third-graders to advance without passing test
Florida may allow third grade students to advance to the fourth grade, even if they perform poorly on statewide standardized tests. Read full article
DetailsThe Chief Academic Officer’s Evolving Role
This special report, “The Chief Academic Officer’s Evolving Role: Powering Big-Picture Learning Goals,” examines the challenges CAOs are facing in school districts across the country and how they are working to improve academics in the age of common standards and digital teaching and learning. It features findings from an exclusive survey of district leaders. Read…
DetailsFlorida senator would temporarily halt test-based third-grade retentions, graduation decisions
A conservative Florida senator with a flair for headline-grabbing proposals could generate lots of support in the anti-testing sector with his latest recommendation. Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, has filed an amendment to the Senate’s major testing reform bill (SB 616) that goes to its final committee stop on Thursday, with availability Wednesday. His objective: To end…
DetailsFlorida education leaders raise more testing concerns
With two weeks of computerized writing tests in the rearview mirror, Florida’s superintendents are taking a closer look at what went wrong — and what it means. They’re more concerned than ever that the results will be tainted. In a draft document circulating through district offices, the Florida Association for District School Superintendents raises six…
DetailsFSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-25-2015
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee: HB 63 – Public-Private Partnerships by Steube — PASSED Deletes Public-Private Partnership Guidelines Task Force; revises provisions regarding responsible public entities & unsolicited proposals submitted for qualified projects; revises provisions regarding comprehensive agreements entered into between responsible public entities & private entities; deletes provisions relating to notice to…
Details
FSBA Daily Updates: Legislative Session 03-24-2015
In the House Government Operations Subcommittee: HB 585 – Holidays & Observances / Sir Lancelot Jones by Raschein — PASSED Designates second Monday in October of each year as “Sir Lancelot Jones Day”; authorizes Governor to issue proclamations commemorating occasion; encourages public officials, schools, private organizations, & citizens to commemorate occasion. HB 599 – Exemption…
DetailsFinland’s radical new plan to change school means an end to subjects
Finland’s classrooms are very different from America’s — far more permissive, with less of an emphasis on academics. There are no standardized tests until high school, and children get 15 minutes of recess in between lessons — more than an hour of recess a day. “Play is important,” one Finnish teacher told the Smithsonian magazine. “We value play.” Yet Finnish kids always get…
DetailsBill would give more choices to Florida students
TALLAHASSEE — Kameela Russell’s daughter acted out at her neighborhood school, Madie Ives Elementary in northeast Miami-Dade. But she excelled after transferring to the top-ranked Lakeside Elementary in Broward County. Most parents would not have been able to move their child to a public school in another county. Russell could because she was a teacher…
DetailsWhat’s up with digital classrooms money for Florida schools?
When it comes to spending on classroom technology, the Florida Senate has led the charge in recent years. Senate Education Committee chairman John Legg has held symposiums and school tours, aimed at drumming up support for more money for digital instruction. The effort landed $40 million last year. But when the Senate’s education budget proposal…
Details
FSBA Daily Update: Legislative Session 03-23-2015
FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #3 Our Video Update for the 3nd week of 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 3 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page)…
Details