Testing routine: What is Florida Standards Assessments testing like for students? Here's a typical day during testing season for a P.K. Yonge student. Gainesville Sun. Nearly a week into testing, Polk County officials say things are going smoothly. Lakeland Ledger.

Charter problems: The latest problems at Windsor Prep Academy in St. Petersburg and two other charter schools in Clearwater are putting greater scrutiny on their management company, Newpoint Education Partners. This isn't the first time Newpoint has had problems with financial issues and failing schools. WFLA. Tampa Bay Times. Tim Kitts resigns as CEO of the Bay Haven Charter Academy in Panama City. He says organizational changes stripping him of his authority leave him unable to lead. He also was the subject of complaints from two administrators. Panama City News Herald.

Campaign lessons: Anti-bullying campaigns have been in most U.S. schools for years, so this presidential campaign has been confusing for some schoolchildren. “If students are following this election – and they should be – we have a lot of re-educating to do,” Buffalo school administrator Will Keresztes said. Associated Press.

School tax holiday: The back to school sales tax holiday will be cut down to three days this August. Last year it went for 10 days. Associated Press, via Naples Daily News.

School recess: State Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, is making one last pitch for mandatory recess every day in elementary schools. But his plan faces several procedural hurdles. Miami Herald. Is your elementary school child getting the 150 minutes of physical education every week as state law requires? Palm Beach Post. (more…)

Testing troubles: Bandwidth has been expanded, security upgraded and testing software improved. But, experts warn, there's no way to guarantee trouble-free computerized testing when the Florida Standards Assessments writing tests begin Feb. 29. Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Tribune.

Testing dispute: State business leaders are avoiding direct criticism of Gov. Rick Scott over the state Department of Education's decision not to raise the passing scores for the Florida Standards Assessments. But they're continuing to push for higher standards. Politico Florida.

School grades: About 5 percent of the state's schools received a different final grade than they did when simulated grades were released in December. Politico Florida. Sixty-six South Florida schools received F grades, a record high. Broward County had 29, Miami-Dade 20 and Palm Beach 17. Sun-Sentinel.

District police force: The Orange County School District is budgeting $1.5 million to start its own police force. The mission is to enhance security through measures such as campus checks and weapons screenings, and to work with local law officers already patrolling the schools. Orlando Sentinel.

School uniforms: The debate over school uniforms is a topic of conversation in Escambia County. Earlier this month, dozens of girls at Washington High School were ordered to change clothes after coming to school in leggings that didn't meet the dress code. Pensacola News Journal.

Charter schools: Somerset Academy's plans for three charter schools can move ahead after the state Board of Education overturns decisions by two school districts denying the applications. Somerset can start a middle school in St. Lucie County and an elementary and middle school in Indian River County. The districts can appeal the decision. TCPalm. A proposed charter school in Collier County is delaying its opening until August 2017. Collier Charter Academy officials have squabbled with residents over its proposed location in Golden Gate Estates. Naples Daily News. (more…)

Education bills: The Florida House passes several education bills. Among them: Allowing students to enroll in any public school that has a vacancy, making the teacher bonuses program permanent, and giving charter schools an easier path to open in exchange for greater financial transparency. Miami Herald. News Service of Florida. Lakeland Ledger. WFSU.

School recess: A bill requiring daily recess at Florida elementary schools passes in the House but is stalled in the Senate. That's not stopping the group known as the "recess moms" from continuing to promote the idea. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald. Politico Florida. Gradebook.

Test stress: The preparation and anticipation of the Florida Standards Assessments tests puts a lot of stress on students and teachers. The tests begin Feb. 29. WJHG.

Testing opt-out: Seminole County school officials outline a process for handling students who won't be participating in state testing. And here's how Pasco County is handling the issue. Gradebook.

Text message update: Duval County School Board member Constance Hall apologizes for sending text messages to a school staffer calling for Superintendent Nikolai Vitti's firing and labeling one of his proposals "special ed in action." But she remains critical of Vitti's leadership skills. Florida Times-Union.

Book decisions: Brevard County School Board member Amy Kneessy is proposing a way to have more people challenge books used by Brevard schools. She also thinks the school board should have the final say on whether certain books remain in classrooms and library shelves. She says her proposals are just a way to make sure children are exposed to age-appropriate material. Florida Today. (more…)