12 amendments proposed: The Style and Drafting Committee of the Constitution Revision Commission has consolidated 24 proposals into 12 amendments that it is recommending for the November ballot. Three education-related ideas -- school board term limits, requiring a civics course for graduation and allowing the state to create a new entity to authorize charter schools -- are consolidated into a single amendment. The other education proposal, which would allow high-performing school districts to have the same regulatory flexibility as charter schools, would stand alone. The proposals must be approved by the full CRC by May 10. Proposed amendments must be approved by 60 percent of the voters to be added to the state constitution. Miami Herald. News Service of Florida.
H.B. 7069 lawsuit: Lawyers on both sides of the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Legislature's 2017 education law present their arguments to a Leon County judge and ask for a summary judgment. Those challenging H.B. 7069 say it strips local school boards of their constitutional authority, creates a separate system for charter schools outside local district control and changes the way local taxes are collected and spent. Lawyers for the state say the plaintiffs say provisions of the law are political decisions outside the court's jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs don't have standing to bring the suit. Judge John Cooper did not rule Gradebook.
No bonuses for you: More than 1,000 Duval County educators have discovered that they won't be getting their expected bonuses from the state under the Best and Brightest scholarship program. A revision in the law limits the bonuses to current classroom teachers, and excludes such employees as academic coaches, deans of students and school counselors, media specialists, psychologists, social workers, specialists and others. The district says it's in no financial position to step in with payments for those who are missing out. Florida Times-Union.
Schools of Hope: The Florida Department of Education is reopening the process for schools to apply for an extra $2,000 per student under the state's "Schools of Hope" program for struggling schools. The Legislature set aside $51 million in the new education law, H.B. 7069, to pay for the extra services at up to 25 schools. Fifty-nine schools applied for the grants, and 11 received them in the first round. Now the DOE is giving the other 48 schools, and other eligible schools that didn't initially apply, until Dec. 1 to submit an application. Up to 14 more could receive the grants. Gradebook.
Displaced students: Three Florida members of Congress send a letter to FEMA officials asking for extra money for housing, schooling and other services for the more than 90,000 people from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, signed the letter along with Orlando Democratic representatives Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto. They're asking that Florida get reimbursement from FEMA's host-state program. Florida Politics.
Searching for options: Parents who are given more school choice options tend to do more research for schools for their children, according to a recent study by researchers Michael Lovenheim and Patrick Walsh published in EducationNext. The authors looked at areas with newly expanded school choice options and found a correlation between more choice and an increase in the number of searches on the website Greatschools.org. redefinED.
School enrollment: State economists predict that public schools enrollment in Florida will be 2.82 million next year, down slightly from the July forecast of 2.83 million. They say that will help with the state's budget problems, but they still expect lawmakers to have to deal with a $450 million shortfall. Last year's gap was covered by the Legislature from the state budget, but House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, has said not to expect that to happen again next year. Naples Daily News.
Spending splurge: Over the past two years, Orange County School Board members have spent about $500,000 with little public oversight. Each of the eight members receives $40,000 a year to spend at his or her own discretion. It's the only central Florida school district with such a fund. Board members say they use the money to pay for extras. Among the extras was $2,500 a board member spent for a school mural that depicts herself. Orlando Sentinel.
Teacher preparation: Many Florida colleges do a poor job of preparing prospective elementary school teachers to teach math, according to a study by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Most of the Florida colleges reviewed received an F grade in this category. Orlando Sentinel.
Administrator under fire: An investigation concludes a Broward County school administrator misused his position while carrying on an affair with a school district community liaison. The district's Professional Standards Committee recommends that Israel Canales be fired. Canales, 54, is a manager of administrative support for the district. Canales says he will fight any move to fire him. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)
