Legislature and education: School choice and charter school funding and accountability are among the big education issues in the legislative session that begins today. Miami Herald. Five issues and five people to watch during this session. Tampa Bay Times. Legislators may bicker over the sources of funding for K-12, since a large part of the money will come from higher property taxes. Northwest Florida Daily News.

Early promotion: A bill filed Monday by State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would allow schools to promote students during a school year if they demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. Gradebook.

Budget choices: Tax revenue on electric bills, a primary source of Florida's funding for school construction, is projected to decline 2.5 percent. That means legislators will increasingly have to choose between money for construction or teacher salaries, early education and other educational programs. Tampa Tribune.

Grade warning: School grades being issued by the state in February will not be accurate, Hillsborough School Superintendent Jeff Eakins is warning parents in an email. Gradebook.

Teacher bonuses: School districts have just two weeks to fill out paperwork so teachers can apply for bonuses under the Best and Brightest Teachers Scholarships program. Gradebook. (more…)