Class size violations: More Florida schools are in violation of the 2002 constitutional amendment governing class sizes, even some of those that take advantage of a loophole allowing them to use a schoolwide average instead of class-by-class counts, according to the Florida Department of Education. Educators think part of the problem is the ongoing shortage of teachers statewide. The DOE says 474 of 18,755 traditional classrooms were overcrowded during the fall count, compared with 153 out of 49,287 checked last year. The amendment limits the number of students to 18 in K-3 classes, 22 in grades 4-8 and 25 in high school. Gradebook.

Shutdown and school meals: The federal program that pays schools to provide for free or reduced-cost meals for students has money to continue at least through February, despite the government shutdown. “We have been guaranteed we’re going to get federal reimbursement, we’re going to be able to continue the program until the end of February,” says Sylvia Leeb, Pasco County school district food services program manager. “It’s business as usual.” Gradebook. Education Week. (more…)