Florida School Boards Association
Florida’s Republican governor says he wants to expand the pool of children who would qualify for the state’s new personal learning accounts. In the midst of a contentious back-and-forth over education, Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign released a second-term agenda Monday morning. The Associated Press has fleshed out some details already, but one noteworthy proposal hasn’t gotten much attention: A declaration…
DetailsAt least seven groups of applicants with ties to failed or floundering charter schools are seeking second chances and public money to open 18 more. Odds are, most will prevail. School districts say that they can’t deny applicants solely because of past problems running charter schools. State laws tell them to evaluate what they see…
DetailsTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday will roll out a series of education proposals that touches on everything from high-stakes testing to the cost of college and represents a break from some of the signature moves put in place by former Gov. Jeb Bush. Scott wants to create an independent committee to…
DetailsJust when you think things can’t get any worse for kindergartners, they do. It used to be that kindergartners could play — which is how early childhood development experts say young children learn and are socialized best. Today 5- and 6-year-olds are forced to sit for hours at a time doing academics, often with little…
DetailsTAMPA, Florida – As the debate over school choice continues to divide Florida educators, 10 Investigates found new ways charter schools companies are profiting off education. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are authorized by – but not operated by – each school district. For each student who “chooses” a charter, his or her…
DetailsSchool was out for most students this summer, but education attacks in the race for Florida governor never took a vacation. Education has been one of the most divisive topics in this year’s contest. Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Florida have defended his record on education while bashing the record of Democratic…
DetailsPublic support for Common Core, the education standards heavily supported by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has suffered as more people learn about it, according to a new survey. While 80 percent of Americans have heard about Common Core, 60 percent oppose requiring teachers to use the standards to guide instruction, the survey by PDK/Gallup…
DetailsThe state’s pension fund beat expectations last fiscal year, earning a 17.4 percent return on investments and ending 2013-14 with a market value of $149.1 billion, the State Board of Administration announced Tuesday. That return was stronger than the previous fiscal year’s 13 percent return. All of the fund’s investments paid off last year, the board’s…
DetailsFederal education officials have decided Florida does not know best when it comes to school accountability and English-language learners. State legislators, supported by educators and advocates, changed the law in the spring to reflect that students still learning English should not be expected to immediately excel on Florida’s annual tests. They gave the students two…
DetailsJessica Gaspar was born in the U.S. and grew up speaking English at school — but at home, she speaks Q’anjob’al. That’s the Mayan language spoken by her Guatemalan parents. She said she and her brother struggled to practice their English once the school day ended. It’s why Gaspar volunteers at a community center on a…
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