Parent trigger. Parent trigger passes House 68-51, with seven Republicans voting no. Tampa Bay Times, Orlando Sentinel, Associated Press. Orange County School Board Chair Bill Sublette paints a nightmare scenario against the parent trigger in this Orlando Sentinel op-ed.
Digital learning. The House passes a bill to expand access to online classes, with some Democrats voting yes, reports the Tallahassee Democrat. More from SchoolZone.
Charter schools. The House passes a charter school bill that beefs up accountability and makes it easier for high-performing charters to expand, reports the Orlando Sentinel. A proposed Montessori charter school in Lake County asks for more time, for a third time, to answer questions about finances and other issues, reports SchoolZone. The Naples Daily News profiles the Marco Island Academy charter school.
Tutoring. A House committee adds a provision to a bill that would undo a requirement that districts spend a portion of Title I dollars on parent-selected, private tutors for low-income kids. The Buzz.
More school choice rally. Sunshine State News, WFSU.
Teacher evaluations. The current system is a mess, editorializes the Gainesville Sun. Bills to make it better are moving ahead in both houses, reports Gradebook.
Teachers unions. When it comes to school choice and accountability, the unions are out of step with many rank-and-file teachers, writes Gary Beckner, executive director for the Association of American Educators, in an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel. The Orange County teachers union is again properly registered as a bargaining agent, reports SchoolZone.
Teacher conduct. Police believe there are more victims of a Palm Beach County charter school teacher who allegedly sexually assaulted a child at a Catholic school where he once taught, reports the Palm Beach Post. The Post editorializes that the Palm Beach County school board would have been justified in firing rather than suspending a band director who misused funds to pay for family members’ trips overseas.
School closings. A lawyer for the Canaveral Port Authority says the entity cannot donate to the Brevard school district to stave off the proposed closing of three schools. Florida Today.
School recognition money. $2.8 million for Polk schools this year. Lakeland Ledger.
Common Core. A why-it-matters rundown from StateImpact Florida.
Gay students. The Broward district unveils a training program to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. Miami Herald.
Bullying. The House votes unanimously for a bill that adds cyber-bullying to the state’s anti-bullying law. Associated Press.
Superintendents. The Department of Education will investigate claims that Lee Superintendent Joseph Burke mismanaged funds, reports the Fort Myers News Press. More from the Naples Daily News.
