School choice. In an editorial, the Florida Times-Union criticizes the way school choice legislation passed this year, but also argues school districts should offer students more options. The Pinellas school board agrees to expand its magnet offerings but shelves a plan to add more fundamental schools. Tampa Bay Times. A federal grant could help the district diversify its offerings. Tampa Tribune.
Charter schools. Students at an Alachua County charter school are headed back to school. Gainesville Sun.
Common Core. Glenn Beck leads a national event mobilizing people against the standards. Sunshine State News.
Safety. A lawsuit contends an inflatable sumo match gone wrong led to child’s brain injury at a Miami-Dade charter school. Miami Herald.
School grades. Parents rally around an IB program despite the school’s grade falling to a D. Miami Herald.
Funding. Polk Schools see a slight funding boost. Lakeland Ledger. Manatee schools project a surplus. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Minority students. Duval schools support a national effort to close the achievement gap. Florida Times-Union.
Reading. Some parents have concerns about expanding an extra hour of reading instruction to more schools. Orlando Sentinel.
Pay. The Broward school district hands out five-figure salary bumps to a handful of administrators. Sun-Sentinel. Bay schools approve bonuses for administrators. Panama City News Herald.
Arts. Landing a new band director helps a Hernando middle school keep its band program alive. Tampa Bay Times.
Nutrition. Making school lunches healthier could raise their price. Florida Today.
