Florida roundup: Middle schools, magnet schools, teacher unions & more

Middle schools. Choice options – including charter schools that compete with the district’s offerings – come into play as Duval officials rethink their approach to middle school. Florida Times-Union. Hernando County plans to start a new academy for middle-school students who are falling behind. Tampa Bay Times. A military academy aimed at middle school students is close to its enrollment goal. Ocala Star-Banner.

florida-roundup-logo

Magnet schools. A science academy teachers youngsters about marine life during trips down the St. Johns River. Florida Times-Union. Graduation marks the end of a difficult year for a Palm Beach County magnet program. Palm Beach Post. A Palm Beach high school is offering space for students who could not find space in the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, the Post reports.

Charter schools. A charter school for students with autism leaves the school district behind and hopes to join forces with a nearby private school. Gradebook.

Alternative schools. The Orange and Seminole County school districts both plan to create new options for students who fall behind in high school. Orlando Sentinel.

Unions. The Florida Education Association endorses Charlie Crist for governor. Sunshine State News. The Pasco teachers union negotiates planning time with the school district. Tampa Bay Times. The Brevard teachers union stakes out positions on a range of statewide issues but has yet to take a position on a local school tax. Florida Today.

Funding. Some advocates are calling for a revamp of the formula used to distribute education funding to school districts. WTSP. School districts worry funding increases might not keep pace with spending demands. Tampa Tribune.

Facilities. Broward officials pledge to avoid past abuses as they prepare a major construction bond issue. Sun-Sentinel. The Leon County superintendent defends his district’s use of construction funding. Tallahassee Democrat. The Daytona Beach News-Journal looks at the potential impact of a sales tax referendum for school renovations.

Dress codes. Pinellas schools consider tighter rules. Tampa Bay Times.

Jeb Bush. The former governor speaks on the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education with presidential speculation swirling. Tampa Bay Times.

Graduation. A Palm Beach County Holocaust survivor will finally receive a high school diploma. Sun-Sentinel.

Growth. Volusia schools expect to see their enrollment increase. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Teacher conduct. A Volusia teacher is accused of stalking a colleague. Daytona Beach News-Journal. A teacher is suspended for grabbing a child’s face. Palm Beach Post.


Avatar photo

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.