Florida School Boards Association
The pair of education advocates had a big idea, a new approach to transform every public-school classroom in America. By early 2008, many of the nation’s top politicians and education leaders had lined up in support. But that wasn’t enough. The duo needed money — tens of millions of dollars, at least — and they…
DetailsA new Education Week report analyzing graduation rates shows that Florida remains among the lowest states in getting teens through high school, with a 75 percent rate for 2012 compared to 81 percent nationally. That places Florida 43rd, along with Alabama and better than Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina and the District…
DetailsLearning disabled students can get up to $19,829 of taxpayer money each year to attend private school if they choose – but there is no state accountability to ensure the kids’ needs are being met. The law that created the vouchers does not require private schools to have anyone on staff with any sort of…
DetailsMore than 200 seniors at the former “dropout factory” known as Miami Jackson Senior High School were about to walk across a stage and become high school graduates. For student leaders, it was a moment to talk about memories and all they had yet to accomplish. But Principal Carlos Rios used his speech to celebrate…
DetailsTwo articles crossed my desk today regarding violation of open meeting laws. The first article http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-grand-jury-xway-20140604,0,7022859.story involves Grand Jury indictments handed down to three public officials in Orlando for violation of Florida’s public meeting law. The second article, http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/2014/05/28/kings-lawsuit/9681795/, cites improper public notice for a meeting by the board majority when they held a special…
DetailsIt’s rarely only one factor that drives a student to give up on school, but in recent years, educators have gained ground against a range of contributors, from early absenteeism and reading difficulties to teenage parenthood. Now, schools are working to make inroads against one of the most common and yet elusive reasons students cite…
DetailsFor the third year, public expenditure per student fell nationwide, according a recent release from the U.S. Census Bureau. Per pupil, school spending totaled $10,608 in 2012, roughly the same amount as the year before. Due to a number of factors, however, spending per student ranged widely among the 50 states. New York was the…
DetailsA sweeping lawsuit that argues Florida failed to adequately fund its public education system should be amended so that the state’s support of voucher programs and charter schools can also be challenged, attorneys for the plaintiffs said today. They have asked the court to allow them to amend the lawsuit, filed in 2009. The lawsuit…
DetailsTALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott signed a $77 billion budget Monday, the largest in Florida history, and protected hundreds of millions of dollars in hometown projects by his fellow Republicans in the Legislature. Scott’s use of the line-item veto was his most surgical yet, as he trimmed only $69 million in spending and preserved spending…
DetailsFollowing a year of research, the Florida League of Women Voters issued a report this week that’s highly critical of the state’s charter school movement. Education “reform” critics, such as historian Diane Ravitch and AFT president Randi Weingarten, have begun passing around the document, calling it a “bombshell.” In it, the League observes that Florida…
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