Charter schools. The Plato Academy charter schools in Pinellas are academically knocking it out of the park. Tampa Tribune.
Tax credit scholarships. Senate President Don Gaetz, who pushed for stronger accountability and transparency in the program, says in an op-ed that as a former school board member he is “ashamed” of the Florida School Boards Association suit against tax credit scholarships. Northwest Florida Daily News. “An end-run around the will of the people,” writes Walt Gardner in Edweek. Howard Fuller’s call for the fight in Florida to go national gets some ink on Gradebook. Whitney Tilson says its sad to see Charlie Crist sell out Florida kids.
Common Core. Jeb Bush directs criticism to President Obama. Washington Post.
Satanists. They’ll be handing out material in Orange County public schools this year. Orlando Sentinel.
Testing. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart drops a requirement for FAIR testing for students in K-2 after an Alachua County kindergarten teacher refuses to administer it. Tampa Bay Times. Miami Herald. Gainesville Sun. Florida Today. Answer Sheet.
Bright Futures. State Sen. John Legg, R-Trinity, says lawmakers may consider less emphasis on test scores and more on course rigor to determine eligibility. StateImpact Florida.
School funding. Students who want to leave a Daytona Beach high school for lunch are being asked to pay a $20 annual fee. Daytona Beach News Journal.
Teachers. The Marion County School District is in the process of hiring 28 additional teachers because enrollment was 208 higher than expected. Ocala Star Banner.
