TALLAHASSEE — 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 As we have reported, when these bills were originally filed, both would have repealed the state-level instructional materials review and adoption process and mandate, rather than authorize, the transfer…
DetailsThe House advanced a sweeping overhaul of the Florida Retirement System Thursday, setting it for a key floor vote Friday as a major bargaining chip in late negotiations with the Senate during the final week of the 2014 legislative session. “This narrow approach to pension reform will save taxpayers about $28 billion over 30 years,”…
DetailsExpansion of the student voucher program, which seemed dead shortly after the beginning of the 2014 Florida Legislature, has proved hard to kill. A Senate subcommittee approved an amendment on Tuesday expanding the voucher program, known as the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, adding it to a bill that helps parents of disabled children get…
DetailsHernando County fifth-grade teacher Melinda Barrett is fed up with the FCATs, high-stakes testing and the pressure it puts on students. She recently penned an apology letter to the editor that is generating a lot of buzz on social media. Here’s a copy: I’d like to make a public apology. I’d like to apologize to…
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TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the Senate Session: Bills on 2nd Reading SB 790 – Education Technology by Legg – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED; RETAINED ON CALENDAR 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…
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This Video Update features Dr. Wayne Blanton discussing the status of the budget negotiations, HB 753 and SB 968 relating to School Safety, SB 864 and HB 921 relating to Adoption of Instructional Materials, and HB 7167 and SB 1512 relating to the Tax Credit and ESE Scholarship Programs. Dr. Blanton encourages you to take…
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Florida law governing the tax credit scholarship program gives vouchers to low-income families to use as tuition for their children in private schools but does not adequately protect the rights of English Language Learners (ELLs), shortchanging Latino students and other groups learning English as an additional language from receiving proper instruction. This flaw in Florida…
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