Florida roundup: Class size, catholic schools, tax credit scholarships and more

Class size. Duval County schools could achieve more flexibility by designating more “schools of choice.” Florida Times-Union.

florida-roundup-logoCatholic schools. A Tampa Catholic school is back “in the black.” Tampa Tribune. Citrus County parents hope to get their school there, too. RedefinED.

Tax credit scholarships. Parents should have more options, one parent writes in the Sun-Sentinel. The Tampa Bay Times and the Palm Beach Post publish editorials denouncing legislation that would expand the program. An amendment set to be heard today on the House floor would remove a proposed increase in the scholarship cap. News Service of Florida.

Crowding. A Pasco County high school abandons a plan that would have had some students taking classes from home during the day. Tampa Bay Times. Escambia schools work on plans for building, repairing and rezoning their schools with the help of a tax voters would need to approve. Pensacola News-Journal.

Teacher evaluations. The Tampa Tribune writes up the VAM-free approaches being tried in Pinellas, and reports the Gates Foundation is now evaluating Hillsborough’s program.

School boards. The Brevard board sets a new school closure policy. Florida Today. An assistant principal enters the race for a Hernando County seat. Tampa Bay Times.

Testing. A Washington Post blogger castigates Florida education officials over testing requirements for disabled students, even as new, stronger testing exemptions advance in pending legislation such as SB 1642 and SB 1512.

Budgets. Third-party property tax appeals could cost the Miami-Dade school district $60 million. Lawmakers look to close the loophole. Miami Herald. Reporting errors could cost Alachua County schools millions. Gainesville Sun. Proposed budget would result in Volusia residents paying more in school-related property taxes. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Transportation. Broward county invests in propane-powered buses. Extra Credit. A shortage of drivers prompts Bay County officials to revisit school start times. Panama City News-Herald.

School safety. The so-called “pop-tart” bill is still on the move. Extra Credit.

Science education. A South Florida Christian school teaches students about sharks. Sun-Sentinel.

Teacher conduct. A consultant criticizes Polk County’s handling of investigations. Lakeland Ledger.

 


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BY Travis Pillow

Travis Pillow is Director of Thought Leadership at Step Up For Students and editor of NextSteps. He lives in Sanford, Fla. with his wife and two children. A former Tallahassee statehouse reporter, he most recently worked at the Center on Reinventing Public Education, a research organization at Arizona State University, where he studied community-led learning innovation and school systems' responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. He can be reached at tpillow (at) sufs.org.