Florida roundup: virtual schools, parent trigger, teacher conduct & more

Virtual schools. The state investigation of K12 Inc. in Florida – which turned up three inadequately certified teachers – anchors a critical story in Maine by the Portland Press Herald. Education Week writes it up.

FL roundup logo snippedParent trigger. Sen. David Simmons is proposing another compromise for parent trigger. Gradebook.

Common Core. StateImpact Florida talks to one activist mom who doesn’t like it.

Education funding. AP reporter Gary Fineout looks at the behind-the-scenes battle on The Fine Print blog.

Paddling. A step backwards for Marion, editorializes the Ocala Star Banner.

School spending. Orange will still have $3 billion worth of work left to do when the district’s half-penny sales tax runs out in 2015, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The possibility of school closures is surfacing as Manatee’s budget woes continue, reports the Bradenton Herald.

School boards. The Clay County Chamber of Commerce says the feuding between the school board and Superintendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. is hurting business. Florida Times Union.

School enrollment. Volusia and Flagler continue to see declines. Daytona Beach News Journal.

Teacher conduct. No criminal charges for a Sarasota High band director accused of unwanted sexual advanced. Sarasota Herald Tribune.


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BY Ron Matus

Ron Matus is director for policy and public affairs at Step Up for Students and a former editor of redefinED. He joined Step Up in February 2012 after 20 years in journalism, including eight years as an education reporter with the Tampa Bay Times (formerly the St. Petersburg Times). Ron can be reached at rmatus@stepupforstudents.org or (727) 451-9830. Follow him on Twitter @RonMatus1 and on facebook at facebook.com/redefinedonline.