The incoming Donald Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress have a "real opportunity to bring wholesale disruption in education in America," Jeb Bush told a gathering of education reformers in Washington. And, he said, he hopes they seize it.

Speaking at the start of the Foundation for Excellence in Education's annual conference, the former Florida governor said the 2016 elections, in which he came up short in a bid for the Republican presidential nomination, reflected a loss of faith in core American institutions, which need to be dramatically reinvented.

When it comes to education, he said, Congress and the new presidential administration should tap into that hunger for change.

"I hope there's an earthquake as it relates to education funding and education policy," he said. (more…)

Testing. A computerized testing SNAFU leads to a painful ordeal, then a cheating accusation, then a firing, for an elementary music teacher. Tampa Bay Times.

Elections. American Federation of Teachers leader Randi Weingarten says Donald Trump seeks the "decimation of public education." Florida Politics. A retired teacher ventures into a state House race, challenging a heavily favored Republican incumbent in a conservative district. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A civics teacher uses campaign season to bring class to life. Orlando Sentinel.

Collective bargaining. Rising health insurance premiums complicate labor negotiations for Indian River County teachers. TC Palm.

Charter schools. Pepin Academies, a charter school for children with special needs, offers programs to help older students get jobs. Tampa Bay Times.

Lead in drinking water. "We are not Flint," a professor who detected excessive lead levels in two Leon County schools' water systems says. Tallahassee Democrat. The district plans to create a Water Quality Assurance program. Communication needs to improve, the Democrat editorializes. The district is following EPA guidelines, a school board member writes.  (more…)