Appeal over scholarships: The Florida Education Association and other groups will try to convince an appeals court today that it has the standing to challenge the constitutionality of the state's tax-credit scholarship program. A Leon County Circuit Court judge dismissed the case last May. Step Up For Students, which hosts this blog, administers tax-credit scholarships for about 80,000 low-income students, and also the Gardiner Scholarships for students with disabilities. Miami Herald. Tallahassee Democrat.
Magnets and race: The number of black students at A-rated Duval County magnet schools has dropped 10 percent in the past six years, according to the school district. Black students make up 44 percent of all Duval students, but 35 percent of applicants for A-rated magnet schools and only 29 percent of students enrolled in those schools. Some members of the school board are concerned, since integration was one of the primary missions for magnet schools. Florida Times-Union.
Testing cutbacks: Hillsborough County's decision to cut back on student testing has drawn the attention of neighboring Pasco County. School Superintendent Kurt Browning sent a memo to his communications director, asking: "I want to know how they reduce assessments and still meet the statutory requirements. Also, how do they give teachers the flexibility to determine what assessments will be given?" Gradebook.
Charters on block: The Pinellas County School Board will consider today whether to terminate contracts with four charter schools. Windsor Preparatory Academy and East Windsor Middle Academy in St. Petersburg, and Newpoint Pinellas Academy in Clearwater are managed by Newpoint Education Partners, which has had financial problems and was indicted last week in Escambia County on charges of grand theft and money laundering. The fourth school is Florida Virtual Academy. The schools enroll almost 1,000 students and take in $6 million in public money. Tampa Bay Times. (more…)
