School testing: Florida students’ scores on the SAT and ACT tests continue to lag behind the national average. Eighty-three percent of the state’s high school seniors took the SAT last spring. The average score was 1,017 out of a possible 1,600, while the national average was 1,070. About 73 percent of the state’s seniors took the ACT. The average score of 19.8 out of a possible 36 trailed the 21.0 average nationwide. Orlando Sentinel. A five-year slide in testing scores by Marion County students is reversed in 2017, and Superintendent Heidi Maier attributes the improvement to new policies, new principals and new ways to deliver teaching materials to students. Ocala Star-Banner.
The charter fight: The political fight over the state’s new education law, H.B. 7069, is moving soon into the courtroom as well. One school district has already filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of one portion of the law, and a broader suit by at least 14 districts should be filed in the next few weeks. Supporters of the bill, which includes several provisions favorable to charter schools, plan to launch a public relations campaign that closely examines districts’ spending and start looking for school board candidates who will support the bill. Miami Herald. The Martin County School Board is expected to decide Tuesday whether to join 14 other school districts in suing the state over H.B. 7069. TCPalm. School choice continues to spread in Florida and nationally, but schools in south Florida districts are holding their own by improving their grades and offering a variety of program choices. Enrollment in charter schools is down so far this school year in Palm Beach and Broward counties, while enrollment in traditional public schools is up. Sun-Sentinel.
Pay proliferation: The number of Palm Beach County School District employees being paid more $140,000 a year or more has nearly tripled in the past two years, according to an analysis of district salaries. The number of staffers making $120,000 a year or more has doubled, and the number of those earning $100,000 or more is up 45 percent. In that same time period, the number of teachers earning $50,000 or more has increased by 5 percent. Superintendent Robert Avossa has contributed to the surge by creating at least 16 new, high-level administrative jobs paying $120,000 or more. Palm Beach Post.
Storm, makeup days: The Pinellas County School District announces two more makeup days for time lost to Hurricane Irma. One previously scheduled day off had already been announced, and school officials say the three “will provide the required instructional time for all students.” Gradebook. Some parents are criticizing Sarasota County school officials for deciding no days would have to be made up because of the hurricane. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Monroe County school officials still aren’t sure how they’ll make up classroom time lost to the hurricane. Keynoter. Monroe County School Board members say improvements are needed in the way schools are prepared and used as hurricane shelters. Key West Citizen. Schools in north Florida deliver needed items for Lee County students and parents who were affected by Hurricane Irma. Fort Myers News-Press.
Abuse investigation: Okaloosa County School Board chairman Lamar White says the child abuse investigation at Kenwood Elementary School “appears (to have been) following the district investigative process.” Two educators and a school investigator face child abuse charges. White also says, “Away from policy and away from union contract, we have to get ourselves in the right place to make sure cruelty and inappropriate practices do not happen to children.” Northwest Florida Daily News. The Florida Department of Children and Families has opened two more investigations into Kenwood Elementary. WEAR.
Harassment training: All Brevard County School Board members will receive training about sexual harassment and the district will revise its policies on reporting cases. Board member Andy Ziegler was recently cleared of sexual harassment charges, but the investigating firm recommended more district training for “sensitivity, workplace etiquette, harassment and related issues.” Florida Today.
Bullying policy: The Leon County School Board approves an expansion of the district’s bullying policy to include incidents at bus stops and retaliation against victims who report bullying. Tallahassee Democrat.
Filming in school: The Bay County teachers union is asking the school district to ban filming of teachers in class without their consent. Union officials say filming by students is a violation of privacy. School officials say they don’t take any disciplinary action against a teacher based solely on a student’s recording. The union and district are negotiating a new contract. Panama City News Herald.
Anti-charter lobbying: A local political action committee is lobbying against approval of an application from Charter Schools USA for the largest charter school ever in Alachua County. The filing deadline for the charter application is today, though the school board probably won’t make a decision before December. If approved, the school projects it will have 1,145 students when it opens for the 2018-2019 school year. Gainesville Sun.
Teacher ratings: Only four Bay County School District teachers received an “unsatisfactory” rating for the 2016-2017 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education. Eighteen fell into the “needs improvement” category, while 981 were judged to be “highly effective” and 570 were “effective.” The ratings are based on deliberate practice, instructional practice and student performance. Panama City News Herald.
Teacher certification: One hundred and fifty-five of 5,000 Pasco County teachers are not certified for the subject they’re teaching. Of the 155, 17 percent are teaching special education. Gradebook.
School’s toilet paper: Officials at the Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Jacksonville reverse a decision to remove toilet paper from school bathrooms after parents complain. The paper was apparently removed because of misuse and waste, and wads of paper were handed to students who went to the bathroom. WJAX.
Courtesy bus rides: Parents and students are protesting the Alachua County School District’s decision to end courtesy busing for those students who live within 2 miles of Eastside High School. Gainesville Sun.
Electioneering: Orange County School Board chairman Bill Sublette says he is running for county mayor. Sublette, a Republican, will finish his second four-year term on the school board next year. Orlando Sentinel. Florida Politics.
Safety of athletes: Florida ranks 23rd among states for having policies that keep school athletes safe, according to a study by the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut. The states were rated for heat stroke, head injuries, cardiac arrest, health care coverage and emergency preparedness. WFTS.
School fire: A fire being investigated as arson emptied the Renaissance Charter School in Pembroke Pines on Friday. Fire officials say the damage was minimal, and school is expected to resume today. Sun-Sentinel.
Opinions on schools: School Board member Andy Ziegler’s creepy behavior with female district employees is only the latest in a series of bad judgment calls that disqualifies him from holding elected office. Florida Today.
Student enrichment: Three Brevard County schools are named blue ribbon schools by the U.S. Department of Education. They are Edgewood Junior/Senior High, Manatee Elementary and Robert L. Stevenson Elementary. Space Coast Daily. The Foundation for Leon County Schools is passing out $110,000 in grants to 250 teachers that will benefit about 9,000 students. Tallahassee Democrat. Sarasota County’s Pine View School is rated the top U.S. elementary school and the 6th-best middle school by the website niche.com. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
