Florida schools roundup: Tony Bennett, teacher debit cards, art magnets & more

More on Tony Bennett: Two days of controversy seem to have taken a toll, with Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett expected to resign later today. Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, supporters and others are calling for more evidence in this latest school grade snafu: “What we have now is not “the rest of the story” but a failure to seek the rest of the story,” writes Greg Forester on the Jay P. Greene blog. Bennett should request a broader set of emails to provide some context to this story, says Sherman Dorn. StateEdWatch and Dropout Nation raise more concerns. Bennett answers questions from Education Week’s Rick Hess about the grade boost in Indiana. “It’s not that big of a deal,” says Eduwonk, adding that calls for Florida’s education commissioner to resign “pretty obviously overstate the issue.” Fred Grimm from the Miami Herald writes: “Grown-ups might not buy Tony Bennett’s tortured explanation for jacking up that C grade to an A, but every school child in Florida understands the rationale.” The Buzz reports that Democrats are lining up to call for Bennett’s resignation. More here. And Beth Kassab from the Orlando Sentinel says, “Lots of headlines have portrayed this as Bennett doing a favor for a big donor. But that’s not quite right.” Even more from The Hechinger Report and New America Foundation.

Charter schools: Time is running out for a new Lauderdale Lakes charter school that has enrolled hundreds of students but still doesn’t have an approved site for them to attend class. Sun Sentinel. Lake Wales High School, a conversion charter in Polk County, may have a waiting list for students. The Ledger.

Magnet schools: The Palm Beach County School District considers expanding art magnet programs to schools in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Sun Sentinel.

Debit cards: Gov. Rick Scott unveils debit cards that will allow teachers to buy tax-free supplies year-round. Sun Sentinel.

Budgets: The Palm Beach School Board approves a $3.2 billion tentative budget. Sun Sentinel.

School grades: Florida Times-Union education reporter Khristopher J. Brooks provides insight on Duval County’s school grades during WJTC interview.

School supplies: Bob Steele Chevrolet donates more than 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to needy families in Cocoa. Florida Today.

Teacher conduct: A Collier County elementary teacher is cleared for the classroom following a Department of Children & Families’ investigation. Naples News. A former Hernando County school volunteer and coach pleads for his job back following a background check that turned up an old felony conviction. Tampa Bay Times.

Mentors: New teachers pair with their mentors during a three-day orientation in Hillsborough County. The Tampa Tribune.

New teachers: Hillsborough County welcomes 1,000 new teachers to the school district. Tampa Bay Times.

Character Ed: Pinellas County’s Fuguitt Elementary gets a $100,000 The Leader in Me grant to kick off a five-year character education program. The Tampa Tribune.