School choice. Palm Beach County’s first black local GOP chairman says school choice has helped Republicans like Gov. Rick Scott win votes. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. School choice could help Republicans reach minority voters, the Fordham Institute’s Michael Brickman argues on Watchdog.org.
Lawsuits. A Miami-Dade school board member proposes a resolution opposing a lawsuit challenging Florida’s tax credit scholarship program. Naked Politics.
Charter schools. Two new charter applications come before the Hillsborough school board with favorable staff recommendations. Tampa Tribune.
Magnet schools. The Orange County school district plans a collegiate high school option to revamp a stumbling magnet program. Orlando Sentinel.
Dual enrollment. The Volusia school board plans to launch a collegiate high school program. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
School boards. A complaint against a newly elected, pro-school choice board member is dropped. Indian River Press Journal. VeroNews.com. The Clay County school board hires a new interim board attorney. Florida Times-Union.
CAPE. Career education programs provide a recruiting ground for fire departments. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
STEM. The country’s largest school districts – including Miami-Dade and Broward – pledge to teach computer science amid a coding push by the White House. Associated Press. High school students get hands-on marine biology lessons. Bradenton Herald.
Early learning. Advocates hope a national early-learning emphasis will trickle down to state policy. News Service of Florida.
Legislation. The Florida House names education committee members and a new Choice and Innovation subcommittee chair, Rep. Manny Diaz, R-Hialeah. Gradebook.
Middle schools. The Duval school board approves a middle school reform plan. Florida Times-Union.
Testing. The Orange County school board chairman urges a delay in testing consequences. Orlando Sentinel.
Security. Police say a student threatened to “shoot up” a high school in Sarasota. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Life lessons. An elementary school creates a mentoring program for fifth-grade boys. Lakeland Ledger.
Nursing. A controversy could lead to changes in breastfeeding polices at the Okaloosa school district. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Rural education. Alachua’s school superintendent visits schools at the district’s periphery. Gainesville Sun.
