Education bill: The Florida Senate passes a broad education bill that eliminates one test, the Algebra 2 end-of-course exam, pushes standardized testing toward the end of the school year, requires the Department of Education to study whether national tests like the SAT and ACT can be used as alternatives to the Florida Standards Assessments and other statewide tests, and requires 20 minutes of daily recess for all elementary school students. The measure now goes to the House. Today is the last day such a standalone bill can be approved. Miami Herald. Associated Press. Orlando Sentinel. Politico Florida. The bill also gives charter schools a path to quicker replication. redefinED.
Budget complaints: The Florida Association of District School Superintendents says the funding for K-12 public schools next year is "not sufficient to meet the basic funding needs of Florida's 2.8 million public school students." "Considering the overall economic strength of our state, it is alarming that the basic funding needs of Florida public school students could go unaddressed," said Malcolm Thomas, Escambia County superintendent and president of the FADSS. “This is just not acceptable,” added Palm County School Superintendent Robert Avossa. “It’s just disheartening to see the lack of investment.” Miami Herald. Pensacola News Journal. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. Politico Florida. Orlando Sentinel. Citrus County Chronicle. Senate and House negotiators finalize an agreement on the $83 million state budget. The vote is Monday. News Service of Florida.
Interim superintendent: The Duval County School Board agrees to conduct a national search for a superintendent to replace the outgoing Nikolai Vitti, who is taking the superintendent's job with the Detrout schools. Until a replacement is found, an interim superintendent will be appointed with the stipulation that she or he will not be a candidate for the permanent job. Florida Times-Union. (more…)
Education spending: The Senate Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would spread federal Title I funding to more schools, including charters, and give districts less control over the grants. Gradebook. The committee also approves a bill that would automatically put teachers and other public workers into a 401 (k) investment program instead of the state's pension plan if they fail to choose a retirement plan option when hired. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. Two bills (S.B. 1314 and S.B. 902) that would increase eligibility and funding for private school choice options also are approved by the committee. redefinED. Politico Florida.
Legislative effects: Duval County school officials say the district may have to close schools as a result of decisions made in the Legislature this year. They've called a community meeting tonight to discuss how the Legislature's decisions could affect the district. Florida Times-Union.
Budget discussions: As mostly secret state budget negotiations continue, the Senate approves the placement of a constitutional amendment on the 2018 ballot that would increase the nonschool homestead exemption by $25,000. The Senate's appropriations committee also approves a three-day back to school tax holiday. Because there's a 72-hour "cooling off" period required, the budget must be finalized today in order for the Legislature to end as scheduled Friday. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida. Associated Press. Tampa Bay Times. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. News Service of Florida.
Federal budget impact: The impact of President Trump's budget would be devastating to south Florida schools, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten says at a rally. Miami-Dade County could lose $21.6 million for after-school programs, she says, and teachers could lose $17 million for professional development. Miami Herald. (more…)
