Florida roundup: Common Core, Florida Virtual School, mold & more

florida-roundup-logoCommon Core. Common Core opponents begin airing radio ads. Orlando Sentinel.

Virtual schools. Florida Virtual School adds some adult classes. Daytona Beach News Journal.

School choice. Application period for district choice programs in Pinellas begins Wednesday. Gradeboook.

School spending. Mo money, mo problems? Gradebook.

School boards. Politicking in Pasco. Gradebook.

School diversity. Community and advocacy groups in Palm Beach County need to better participate in district efforts. Palm Beach Post. The Palm Beach County School Board takes a look at a minority “equity audit” Wednesday. Palm Beach Post.

School facilities. Eight classrooms at a Polk County elementary are being closed because of mold. The Ledger.

School tragedy. Grief counselors help students after a Marion County biology teacher is murdered over the holiday break. Ocala Star Banner.

Science. Looking at “tuberous remains,” Flagler County elementary school students work to think like scientists. Daytona Beach News Journal. Leon County students prepare for a robotics competition. Tallahassee Democrat.

Teacher conduct. A Walton County teacher faces a 10-day suspension for alleged disparaging remarks to a student. Northwest Florida Daily News.

Cold. Columbia County schools closed. Gainesville Sun.


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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.