John Stuart Mill warned us of the dangers of a state-provided education: Were the duty of enforcing universal education once admitted, there would be an end to the difficulties about what the State should teach, and how it should teach, which now convert the subject into a mere battle-field for[Read More…]
School Boards
Desire for equity drives district school board member’s passion for education choice
For Jon Arguello, there should be no “us” versus “them” when it comes to education choice. The Central Florida entrepreneur made no secret of his support for choice during his successful campaign for a seat on the Osceola County School Board in 2020. Earlier this month, during a hearing on[Read More…]
Charter school network prepares to return formerly struggling North Florida schools to local control
Nearly five years after taking over operations of Jefferson County’s struggling school system, Somerset Academy, Inc. is preparing to return control to the local school board. “I’m super proud of how far we’ve come,” said Cory Oliver, who has served as principal of the combined K-12 campus since two district[Read More…]
Curriculum reformers understand pedagogy but not politics
Every so often, someone active in the curriculum reform movement will get frustrated and take time out of his or her schedule to denounce the school choice movement. These folks tend to make obscure statements about “governance” or “structural” reform along the way to building a case that they have[Read More…]
Board of Education backs keeping Stewart as commissioner
News Service of Florida With widespread changes likely coming to Tallahassee after the November elections, the State Board of Education on Thursday moved to keep Education Commissioner Pam Stewart in her post for another year. The board, meeting in Citrus County, passed a resolution that invited Stewart to continue serving[Read More…]
As he departs Florida board, Chartrand tips his hat to parental choice
In his final meeting after serving nearly eight years on the Florida Board of Education, Gary Chartrand on Thursday used the occasion to speak of parental choice. “To me, education is as important as oxygen,” said Chartrand, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott and served two terms. “A great[Read More…]
School choice parents make their case – and win
Tuesday night, city council members in the beautiful Central Florida town of Clermont had to decide whether to put children’s needs ahead of adults’ needs. We were told beforehand it wasn’t looking good. For a few months, dozens of parents had attended information nights, sponsored by Florida Parent Network and[Read More…]
Florida Board of Education overturns charter rejection in Leon County
The Florida Board of Education on Friday overturned Leon County’s rejection of a new charter school. The action means that, barring additional appeals, Tallahassee Classical School will be allowed to open in the 2019-2020 school year. The vote is the second time this summer the board has overturned a school[Read More…]