Back to school: It's back to school day for students in 38 of Florida's 67 counties. Dixie and Washington counties also were supposed to start, but heavy rains have canceled the first day of classes. TCPalm. Florida Today. Fort Myers News-Press. Bradenton Herald. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Gainesville Sun. Ocala Star Banner. Northwest Florida Daily News. St. Augustine Record. Citrus County Chronicle. Highlands Today. WFLA. WFTV. WTVY.

Mid-year promotions: State education officials are reminding school districts that third-grade students held back by low Florida Standards Assessments scores are eligible for early promotion if they show they can read at or above the level expected at the end of third grade. Gradebook.

Prayer in schools: The Hillsborough County School District warns a principal to stop leading prayers among employees in the school. District Chief of Staff Alberto Vazquez reminded Anthony Montoto, principal at Frost Elementary School, that "the principal of a public school should never lead or direct an activity that advocates for a particular doctrine of faith/non faith while performing his/her official duties." Tampa Bay Times.

Teachers union pay: Forty-three of the 113 people employed by the Florida Education Association are paid more than $100,000 a year, according to records filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. The FEA is the largest labor union in the state, with more than 128,000 members. Florida Watchdog.org. (more…)