Schools are suspending today’s FCAT testing because some school districts are having computer issues. The Florida Department of Education says the problem is with testing firm Pearson. The problem is not statewide, they said, but they’ve advised districts having issues to suspend testing. The Tampa Bay Times reports Pasco County schools have stopped testing. Pasco County schools’…
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Monday (4-21-2014) we told you about activists who are educating parents about what their options are when it comes to FCAT exams. While state law doesn’t allow parents to withhold their children from the exam, the law does outline alternatives to required tests. But opting out might still come with some consequences. A parent forwarded…
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BUDGET ALERT – YOUR ACTION REQUESTED The Education Budget Conference Committee held its first meeting last night. The House presented its first offer on the education budget and budget proviso language. Elements of the House offer, coupled with adjustments to align the budget with approved allocations and with adjustments to align with the 4th Calculation…
DetailsA coalition of groups opposing Florida’s use of new math and language arts standards say they will try to force the Legislature to call a special session to address two bills which would put the standards on hold. The gambit is a long shot. Twenty percent of the Legislature must call for the special session,…
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BUDGET UPDATE The House announced their budget conferees today and the first organizational meeting was held this evening. House members that will serve on the Education Budget Conference Committee are Representatives Erik Fresen (chair), Janet Adkins, Larry Ahern, Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, Karen Castor Dentel, Heather Fitzenhagen, Jeanette Nunez, Keith Perry, Jake Raburn, Betty Reed, Charlie Stone,…
DetailsDecrying what they call an untested test, leaders in Duval schools and teachers union — and some parents — urged voters Wednesday to flood state legislators’ phones and emails this week, urging them to slow down on some of the punitive aspects of the state’s new tests. Duval teachers union president Terrie Brady, three school…
DetailsThe final bell begins tolling today for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Florida schools are scheduled to complete the switch to new K-12 math and language arts standards based on Common Core this fall. New standards will require a new test. So Florida is switching to math and language arts exams produced by the American Institutes for Research. Read…
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This Video Update features Dr. Wayne Blanton discussing the next week’s Passover and Easter holiday and the remaining term of the Legislative Session, SB 864 and HB 921 relating to adoption of instructional materials, HB 7167 and SB 1620 relating to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, and SB 1528 and HB 7083 relating to Charter Schools. Dr. Blanton encourages…
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TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the House Economic Affairs Committee: HB 147 – Concrete Masonry Education by Caldwell – PASSED WITH A CS Creates Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Inc.; requires council to operate under written contract with DEO; provides powers & duties of council; provides restrictions; provides for appointment & terms of governing board of council;…
DetailsAn education-focused nonprofit has helped Duval County schools raise almost $20 million dollars to train and recruit teachers for 36 district schools over the next five years. Most of the money — $15 million — will be offered as incentives to teachers who switch to one of the 36 schools, or bonuses for teachers who…
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