SAT scores: National and Florida SAT scores have dropped between 1 and 6 percentage points in reading, writing and math this year from last, according to the College Board. Miami-Dade County bucked the trend, with scores for graduating seniors up in all three areas. Miami Herald. Lee and Collier students perform better this year on the SAT than they did a year ago, and stand above state averages. Fort Myers News-Press. Volusia County students' SAT scores rose, while Flagler's fell. Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Student homelessness: There are almost twice as many homeless students in Treasure Coast counties this year than there were five years ago. St. Lucie, Indian River and Martin counties count 1,282 homeless students this year, up from 739 in 2010-2011. In Martin County, the number has more than tripled in that time. TCPalm.

Address checks: As school districts turn to rezoning to solve overcrowding at certain popular schools, parents are lobbying districts to first crack down on those who are attending schools using false addresses. In Broward County, one such check found 60 children with address discrepancies - enough to avoid rezoning schools. Tampa Bay Times.

Opt-out winner: Brandy Paternoster of Broward County talks about her successful legal fight against the school system to get her two children promoted to fourth grade after they opted out of the Florida Standards Assessments tests. Sun-Sentinel.

Desegregation talks: Plaintiffs in the 50-year-old desegregation case against the Pinellas County School District say they're frustrated by the lack of progress in discussions with school officials. They say the district is slow to get them student performance data, and then slants its summaries to make the district look better. Tampa Bay Times.

Bush on education: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush talks about charter schools, Common Core, school spending and integration in a Q&A. The 74. (more…)

Board actions: The Florida Board of Education approves a budget request of $20.9 billion for the state's K-12 schools. The request, which now goes to Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature, calls for a 3.4 percent increase in overall spending and a 2.5 percent boost in per-pupil spending. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. The board approves a proposal to end the $49 million Best and Brightest teacher bonuses plan. In its place would be a $43 million recruitment and retention program. Tampa Bay Times. Orlando Sentinel. The board also approves rules that tie charter school facilities funding to the types of students they serve. redefinED. Politico Florida. Board members are enthusiastic about the Department of Education's strategic plan that sets a goal of a 6- or 7-point increase in state test scores by students by 2020. Gradebook. Politico Florida. Turnaround plans for eight struggling Polk County schools are tabled by the board while 40 others are conditionally approved. Members say the Polk plans were submitted too late for proper review, and will be considered at the Oct. 26 meeting. Lakeland Ledger. Politico Florida.

Mediation for Duval: The Duval County School Board is considering hiring a mediator to resolve its differences with Superintendent Nikolai Vitti. Board chairwoman Ashley Smith Suarez has accused Vitti of being untruthful with the board and not being aggressive enough in trying to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. Florida Times-Union. Can mediation work after a year of crumbling relationships? Experts say it could, but everyone involved has to buy in to the process. Florida Times-Union.

School elections: A TV ad attacking his opponent is creating problems for Leon County Superintendent Jackie Pons. The ad focuses on a 2013 paternity lawsuit filed against Pons' opponent, Rocky Hanna. Several prominent members of Pons' re-election team have resigned over the ad, which they call an embarrassment. Tallahassee Democrat.

Opt-out promotions: Nine-year-old Broward County twins who opted out of the Florida Standards Assessments testing are promoted to fourth grade. Their mother, Brandy Paternoster, was one of the parents suing the state and several school districts over retention policies for students who choose not to take the tests. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)