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…)

Zika rules: Broward County school officials are considering changing district policy to fight the spread of the Zika virus. Under the emergency rules, students would be permitted to bring certain insect repellent wipes and lotions to school. The school board will vote on the measure Sept. 7. Sun-Sentinel.

Retention venue: The state and six school districts being sued over the state's third-grade retention policies have until 3 p.m. today to file arguments to the First District Court of Appeal for a change of venue. The defendants want the case to be decided locally, not in Leon County. Leon Judge Karen Gievers has presided over two hearings, and is expected to rule soon. The parents who brought the suit are arguing that whether a student passes or takes the state test should not be the primary criteria for promotion to the fourth grade. Gradebook.

Corporal punishment: More than 109,000 U.S. students were physically punished at school in 2013-14, according to an Education Week Research Center analysis of federal civil rights data. Twenty-one states, including Florida, still allow corporal punishment. About 2 percent of Florida's students attend a school that uses physical punishment. Education Week. WTSP and the Associated Press.

Pledge form: Florida Department of Education officials say the Leon County School District went "above and beyond" the legal requirements to notify students that they can opt out of saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school. Tallahassee Democrat.

Closed captioning: The Florida Department of Education will begin offering closed captioning on the Florida Standards Assessments language arts tests for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. starting with the make-up exams in October. Orlando Sentinel. (more…)