Florida roundup: Teacher quality, charter schools, vouchers and more

Teacher quality. The Duval County school district announces a incentive program to bring more teachers into high-needs areas. Florida Times-UnionWJCT. WJXT. First Coast News.

florida-roundup-logoCharter schools. A Broward charter once on the verge of closing can stay open after finding a permanent home. Sun-Sentinel. A former astronaut addresses students at three Lake Wales charter schools. Lakeland Ledger.

Vouchers. A poll commissioned by Sunshine State News finds voters do not support using “taxpayer funds” for scholarships that allow low-income students to attend private schools.

Magnet schools. A Hernando County magnet program uses field trips to teach kids about environmental science. Tampa Bay Times.

Career education. Pinellas schools name a new director. Gradebook. Clay County grows its career academies. WJXT.

Facilities: Business groups back a half-cent sales tax for school construction and technology in Volusia. Daytona Beach News-Journal. After a $55 million renovation, a Miami high school is being rededicated as a “palace of learning.” Miami Herald.

Early learning. A change of providers in Duval County means Head Start teachers will have to reapply for their jobs. Florida Times-Union.

Teacher conduct. A St. Lucie teacher loses her job for her role in an attack on a seventh grader. St. Lucie News Tribune.

Combination schools. The principal of a new K-8 school meets with parents to allay their concerns. Tampa Tribune.

Lice. Broward schools reverse a more lenient policy allowing students with head lice to attend classes. Sun-Sentinel.

Homelessness. Pinellas students prepare for homeless week in their public schools. Tampa Bay Times.

Summer activities. Pinellas County students can spend their summer with the Sheriff. Tampa Tribune.

Math instruction. Songs and dance help fifth graders learn geometry. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Student competitions. Brevard students gear of for Oddysey of the Mind competitions. Florida Today. A Gainesville math team vies for its tenth title. Gainesvile Sun.


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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.