Bathroom privileges: Several Florida school districts will be watching closely when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in the case of a transgender Virginia student who was denied the option of using the bathroom of the gender with which he identifies. Those arguments will be in February or March. The Marion County School District requires students to use the bathrooms of the gender they were born with, and Sarasota County officials have called a federal directive outlining bathroom use by transgender students "government overreach." WUSF. WLRN.
Discipline for teacher: A state administrative law judge says a teacher should be disciplined, but not fired, for urging a student not to come out as transgender. The Lee County School Board had recommended last year that Angel Villanueva, a Junior ROTC instructor at East Lee County High School, be fired for his remarks to the student and about students' sexual preferences. The issue now goes back to the Lee County School Board for review. News Service of Florida.
Sit-in protest: Several students hold a sit-in protest at Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville to demand that an African-American studies course be expanded to a full year and be worth a full credit. The course now lasts a semester and is worth a half-credit. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says the district is considering the requested changes, and the protesting students will not be disciplined. Florida Times-Union.
New superintendent: The Lake County School Board approves a four-year contract with newly hired Superintendent Diane Kornegay. She will be paid $195,000 a year, and could earn another $35,000 based on her performance and student achievement. Kornegay's goals for her first 100 days are to improve the relationship between the school board and the superintendent, build public trust, and evaluate the district's financial, instructional and operations plans. Daily Commercial. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)
School recess: The advocacy group Recess for all Florida Children has been successful in some Florida school districts. Now the group will again take its initiative to the state Legislature to try to get a statewide law passed requiring 20 minutes of recess a day for students in kindergarten through fifth grades. Last year's bill passed the House but died in the Senate. Orlando Sentinel.
Performance variance: Florida schools are highly rated, but its students are average when it comes to test scores. The answer to that seeming paradox can be found in the state's demographics. National Review.
School spending: The Pinellas County School Board is expected to approve a $1.5 billion budget that includes a slightly lower tax rate. Higher property values will offset that drop for most homeowners. Tampa Bay Times. The Lake County School Board approves a $567 million budget. Daily Commercial.
School grades: Gotha Middle School abandons the 4-point grading scale after parents complain that it penalizes high achievers. The system, which just began this fall, awards students up to 4 points on each test and for behavior. The traditional 100-point scale resumes today. Orlando Sentinel.
School uniforms: Volusia County school officials report 99 percent compliance with the district's new school uniforms policy. Daytona Beach News-Journal. (more…)
