Discrimination query: The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights launches an investigation into the Pinellas County School District's treatment of black students. The investigation will determine if the district is denying black student access to special programs and quality teachers, school leaders and support staff. Tampa Bay Times.

Standardized testing: State education officials, responding to complaints from parents that school districts are threatening students with retention if they don't take the Florida Standards Assessments tests, say test results alone are never the sole reason for promotion or retention. Gradebook. Less than 1 percent of Manatee County third-graders opted out of Florida Standards Assessments testing, district officials say. Just 5 of the 3,100 students chose not to take the tests. Bradenton Herald.

Athletics changes: Athletic directors around the state are split on the effects of a bill that would allow athletes to transfer schools and be eligible to play sports immediately. Some think late changes to the bill mitigate the potential problems. Gov. Rick Scott has until April 14 to sign the bill into law. Miami Herald.

Emphasis shift: The emphasis of the Legislature next year will shift from K-12 to higher education, incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Palm City, says in a memo to senators. Gradebook.

IB programs: Lake County school officials are considering adding an International Baccalaureate curriculum to Leesburg and South Lake high schools. Orlando Sentinel. Fewer incoming kindergarten students are applying to attend Frances Wakeland Elementary School, the Manatee district's only International Baccalaureate elementary school. Bradenton Herald. (more…)