Gates Foundation: Hillsborough County’s school district will dismantle the complex teacher evaluation system it developed six years ago with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Tampa Bay Times.
School testing: This week’s Board of Education hearing reveals a perception gap among parents, school officials and business leaders on school testing and accountability. Miami Herald. Gradebook. Sunshine State News. Bridge to Tomorrow. Behind the politics of testing. The Atlantic. School testing takes up far too much time, the Tampa Bay Times argues in an editorial.
Charter schools: Palm Beach County School Supt. Robert Avossa reverses a decision to withhold federal funds from charter schools for disabled student services. Palm Beach Post. A member of the Indian River County School Board says the district’s charter schools are being shortchanged when it comes to financial resources. TCPalm. State Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Destin, proposes a bill to make charter schools eligible for mandatory student uniform incentive funds. Tampa Bay Times.
Sales tax controversy: Lake County school officials say they couldn’t have renovated six high schools without use of the penny sales tax, but county officials contend that use requires voter approval. Daily Commercial.
Teacher pay: Negotiations between the Hillsborough County school district and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association break down. Tampa Bay Times.
Student conduct: A student at West Florida High School was stripped and beaten during a bus trip Oct. 1, according to the boy’s father. Pensacola News Journal.
In the courts: A lawsuit alleging violations of the state’s open meeting laws by the Collier County School Board will be allowed to move forward, a judge rules. Naples Daily News.
School safety: The recent death of a Chamberlain High student hit by a car while going to school prompts Tampa City Council to adopt Vision Zero, a program designed to lower pedestrian deaths. Tampa Tribune.
Report cards: Manatee County parents are concerned they’re not getting enough warning from the school district when their children are failing. Bradenton Herald.
Student attendance: Why do students miss school? Hedy Chang, founder and director of Attendance Works, visits Sarasota and Manatee counties to see what they are doing to boost attendance. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Private schools: TheBestSchools.org names Niceville’s Rocky Bayou Christian School the fourth-best private elementary school in the country. Northwest Florida Daily News.
Student enrichment: Red millipedes are causing problems for a student garden at Pasco County’s Sunlake High School. Tampa Bay Times. A club supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students has formed at Barron Collier High School. Naples Daily News. Former NBA player Chris Herren talks to more than 1,000 students about choices, self-esteem and alcohol and drug addiction. Gainesville Sun.
