Education funding: Florida ranks 42nd in the country in funding levels per pupil and 44th in coverage, which measures the degree of economic disparity between households in the public and nonpublic education systems, according to a report by the Education Law Center. The state was given an F for effort, which is a measure of the state’s local and state spending on education in relation to the state’s economic productivity. Florida got a C in funding distribution, which measures the distribution of funding across local districts relative to student poverty. School Funding Fairness. Florida Times-Union.

Florida charter schools: A study indicates that charter school graduates in Florida are 12 percent more likely to stay in college and earn higher salaries than their district school peers. Researchers from Georgia State University, Vanderbilt University and Mathematica Policy Research say the study is significant because most research on the effects of charter schools focuses on short-term results. Education Week. Diverse Issues in Higher Education. U.S. News & World Report.

Transgender bathroom issue: A Marion County parent says his son's rights are being violated because the school district is allowing a transgender student to use the boys bathroom at Vanguard High School. The transgender student, who was born female but identifies as male, was given the option of using a nongender, single-toilet bathroom, but refused, saying that was a violation of his rights. So the district, following guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, said the student could use the boys bathroom. Ocala Star Banner.

Prom dress review: Choctaw High School officials are now in the prom dress review business. After the school got questions about whether two-piece prom dresses are allowed, officials created a review panel. Parents must submit a picture of the girl in her dress, along with an approval form, to one of three female administrators. Northwest Florida Daily News. (more…)