Now, in the final week of the session, lawmakers have about $1.2 billion in surplus, bonus money that can go pretty much anywhere they choose. That fact has stirred loose an avalanche of hometown projects, the likes of which Tallahassee hasn’t seen in an election year since 2006. “Think about it: What’s the average size…
DetailsTALLAHASSEE — A measure aimed at streamlining the state’s school-grading system and pausing the most serious consequences for some schools is one step away from Gov. Rick Scott’s desk. The Republican-controlled House readied the bill (SB 1642) for passage Tuesday, batting away complaints from Democrats that the proposal still doesn’t give schools enough time to…
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BUDGET UPDATE The Conference Report on the 2014-2015 state budget was delivered to legislators last night at about 8:30 pm. The budget totals more than $77 billion and provides more than $18.88 billion in total FEFP funding (an increase of 3.14% over the current year). This will provide total FEFP funding per student of $6,937.23…
DetailsEducation policymakers today insist that teachers, principals and schools must be “held accountable.” You would assume, then, that they would take every opportunity to ensure that all students who are educated with public money take the all-important standardized tests that are used as the chief accountability metric and that can determine how much educators are…
DetailsWASHINGTON — Researchers say the latest data on high school graduation rates is a positive sign, but there is always room for improvement. Federal statistics from 2012 show the graduation rate has reached 80 percent. Even so, 1 in 5 students are still not getting a diploma. However, researchers predict the improvement will continue, and…
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TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the Senate Session: Bills on 2nd Reading SB 790 – Education Technology by Legg – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED ON 2ND READING Providing the purpose for the Florida digital classrooms allocation; requiring the State Board of Education to adopt a Florida digital classrooms plan that establishes certain protocols, parameters, requirements, and digital tools; repealing…
DetailsTALLAHASSEE — Florida legislators enter the final week of their 60-day session with lots of unfinished business, including whether to approve a strain of marijuana for medical use.… Read the full story
DetailsFlorida’s graduation rate increased by five percentage points between the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, according to new U.S. Department of Education graduation rate data released today. But despite the improving rate, just six states and the District of Columbia have a lower graduation rate than Florida –the same number as last year. The bright…
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LAST WEEK OF SESSION NOTES During the last week of the Legislative Session bills and amendments – both on the floor of each chamber and between the two chambers — can move very quickly and, sometimes, unexpectedly. We will make every effort to keep you informed of what is happening and will continue to provide…
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Today, HB 921 and its Senate companion SB 864 relating to Adoption of Instructional Materials will be considered on 2nd Reading by the full House of Representatives. As we have reported, when these bills were originally filed, both would have repealed the state-level instructional materials review and adoption process and mandate, rather than authorize, the transfer…
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