Charter schools. The Naples Daily News takes a closer look at the 269 charter schools that have closed since Florida opened the door to charters in 1996. The Associated Press picks up the story.
Magnet schools. It’s time for action on poor-performing charter schools in the Broward County School District. South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Career academies. The Lee County School District will beef up its career education programs under a partnership with Ford Motor Company’s Next Generation Learning program. Fort Myers News Press.
School choice. Pinellas public school enrollment increases for the first time in a decade, as charter schools gain more ground and the district, after adding new choice programs, mitigates its losses. Tampa Bay Times. (Enrollment is up in the Leon County School District too. Tallahassee Democrat.)
Crist v. Scott. The Wall Street Journal rips into Charlie Crist for not denouncing the suit to kill the tax credit scholarships. By not denouncing the suit, Charlie Crist may have alienated black voters and cost himself the election. Tampa Tribune. Both pro- and anti- school choice forces are making big contributions. Sarasota Herald Tribune.
More school choice politics? The state NAACP moves to shut down the St. Petersburg branch, headed by Rev. Manuel Sykes, who happens to be at odds with the state chapter over school choice. Tampa Bay Times.
Standardized testing. Tampa Bay Times columnist John Romano says there’s too much of it. So do some teachers and parents in Brevard. Florida Today. Despite testing angst, the Lee County School District continues to roll out the new state standards. Fort Myers News Press.
Common Core. A look at how it is changing kindergarten. Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Parents. The Alachua County School District wants to see more dads involved in their kids’ education. Gainesville Sun.
Dropouts. “Dropout retrieval centers,” including several run by charter schools, are criticized for poor performance by Duval County Superintendent Nikolai Vitti and some school board members. Florida Times Union.
Remediation. The number of students taking remedial classes at Broward College falls as changes in state law go into effect. South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Bright Futures. StateImpact Florida looks at the impact of tightening eligibility requirements.
School spending. Hernando Superintendent Lori Romano pushes for a penny sales tax hike. Tampa Bay Times.
School security. The Manatee County School District is set to employ armed guards in elementary schools. Bradenton Herald.
School discipline. Where are black students in the Hillsborough County School District most likely to be disciplined for inappropriate behavior? Gradebook. The Seminole County School District is wrestling with discipline problems and threats of violence against teachers at one of its alternative schools, including 14 student arrests in the first four weeks of school. Orlando Sentinel.
Homeless students. Stetson University is holding a workshop with 250 Volusia County School District educators on how to better serve homeless students. Daytona Beach News Journal.
Adult education. The Palm Beach County School District offers more than 800 classes this fall. Palm Beach Post.
