Charter schools. Florida’s successful charter schools don’t get as much ink as its failing ones, and their success comes despite unfair funding, Pembroke Pines City Commissioner Angelo Castillo writes in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. (His city runs its own network of municipal charters.) A charter school built for the Babcock Ranch development get the go-ahead from the Charlotte County School Board, and could benefit from the state’s new open enrollment policy. Fort Myers News-Press. The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools launches a new initiative to reward “charter school champions.” South Florida Reporter.
Teacher certification. Who should be considered qualified to teach physics? Who should decide? For answers, ask top physics teachers, Florida State University Professor Paul Cottle writes. Bridge to Tomorrow.
Facilities. Mold is found in the air ducts of a Pinellas charter school. Tampa Bay Times.
Teacher recruitment. There’s no official teacher shortage in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, but district officials say they’ll “keep an eye on” the situation. Miami Herald.
Spending plans. Pasco’s school board is set to hear a $1.2 billion budget this week. Gradebook. St. Lucie will consider a spending plan of almost $500 million. TC Palm. Property tax rates could fall in Volusia. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
School boards. Jeff Bergosh, longtime “contrarian” of the Escambia County School Board, is heavily favored to join the county commission after the November elections. Pensacola News-Journal.
Lawsuits. The case challenging Florida’s tax credit scholarship is misguided, Teresa Mull of the Heartland Institute argues in the Sun-Sentinel.
Unearthed. Alachua County sixth-graders take part in a mock archaeological dig. Gainesville Sun.
School cops. Brevard police spend more time with elementary school children. Florida Today.
Special needs. The Florida Times-Union highlights Duval County’s Best Buddies program.
Boundaries. Accusations of conflicts of interest emerge as Pasco County prepares to redraw school zones. Gradebook.
Play time? Middle schoolers spend an afternoon at an event put on by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization. Gradebook.
9/11. South Florida educators try to teach the story of the terrorist attacks to children who never experienced them. Sun-Sentinel.
