Florida schools roundup: Legislature, a request for federal help, SAT and more

IMG_0001.JPGLegislature and education: A bill that creates more educational options for students with special needs is the first to clear the Florida Senate. Tallahassee DemocratOrlando SentinelTampa Bay Times. WFSUPolitico Florida. A bill that would allow students to use computer coding to fulfill any foreign language requirement passes a second committee in the Florida Senate. Unresolved are worries that it creates an unfunded mandate. Politico Florida. Gradebook. The House budget chairman, Erik Fresen, R-Miami, joins senators to discuss the teacher bonuses program he helped create. Renewal of the program, which some say discriminates against older and minority teachers, faces opposition in the House and Senate. Gradebook. More than 31,000 Florida students are in classes that are too big, according to the state’s class size law. Discussions on tightening the rules on the way class sizes are computed will be held in the Senate today. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida. Rep. Dwayne Taylor, D-Daytona Beach, files a bill that would give local school districts more autonomy over financing, curriculum and operations. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Federal help sought: The Miami-Dade School District is asking the federal government for financial help to educate students who have arrived from Cuba and those expected to arrive soon. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says an extra $40 million is needed. Miami Herald.

Teachers rally: More than 2,000 teachers are expected to rally at the state Capitol today to protest statewide education policies. Tampa Bay Times. Fort Myers News-Press.

The new SAT: High school juniors will try out the new, revamped SAT test starting March 2. The SAT is changing back to a 1,600-point scale and is aligned with Common Core Standards. Tampa Tribune. Everything you need to know about the new SAT. New York Times. Here are some sample questions. The College Board.

Church and school: Hillsborough County School Board chairwoman April Griffin says strict guidelines need to be established when staff or schools interact with any religious organization. Tampa Bay Times.

School start times: The Orange County School Board will discuss later start times for high school students. Orlando Sentinel.

Teacher shortage: The Marion County School District is trying to get creative to fill 25 openings for teachers. Ocala Star Banner.

Superintendent Q&A: Brevard Schools Superintendent Desmond Blackburn talks about standardized testing, student discipline and more in a Q&A. Florida Today.

Superintendent pay: After a special meeting, the Hernando County School Board is no closer to offering Superintendent Lori Romano a new contract. Romano is a finalist for the top job in Osceola County. Tampa Bay Times.

Academic changes: Lakeland’s All Saints Academy wants to take a different approach to education, shifting from the model based on what you know and how much you know into one that emphasizes what you can do with what you know. Lakeland Ledger.

New schools: Recommendations for a new high school and elementary school in northern Manatee County are in, and the school board will start reviewing them Tuesday. Bradenton Herald. Lee County school officials are now focusing on a single site for a new high school in Bonita Springs. Naples Daily News.

Employees in trouble: The former St. Cloud Middle School substitute teacher accused of having sex with a teen is arrested again after police say she tried to delete evidence from her cell phone.Orlando Sentinel.

Opinions on schools: State Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, has gone too far in his zeal to allow those with concealed-weapons permits to carry on college campuses, into schools and at public meetings of all sorts. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The new Indian River County school administration building is nice, but no Taj Mahal. And that’s a good thing. Laurence Reisman, TCPalm.

Student enrichment: Fifth-graders at Eastside Elementary School in Brooksville learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, using a training kit from the American Heart Association. Tampa Bay Times.


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BY NextSteps staff