Schools of hope: Fifty of 90 eligible low-performing schools have applied to the state for grants through the "schools of hope" provision in the new education law. The law creates financial incentives for charter schools to move into areas with persistently struggling schools. But it also offers as many as 25 of those low-performing schools an extra $2,000 per student for special services such as after-school and counseling programs if they submit turnaround plans that are approved by the state. The Florida Board of Education is expected to choose which schools get the extra money at its Sept. 13 meeting. Sun-Sentinel. Gradebook.
Busing misdirection: Martin County school officials misrepresented why they decided to end busing for 850 students who live within 2 miles of their school, according to a newspaper investigation. Superintendent Laurie Gaylord blamed the state for her decision to end the courtesy busing, saying the provisions of a law made it impossible to prove that the 850 students faced hazardous walking conditions and, therefore, would be eligible for busing. But state Rep. Larry Metz, R-Groveland, who wrote the law, said the intent was to improve busing access to students, not restrict it. "Their letter is completely inaccurate with regard to the effect of the bill," Metz said of the letter Gaylord sent to parents. TCPalm.
Charter group sues: A charter school group is appealing an administrative judge's ruling that the state may deny facilities funding to charter schools that receive consecutive D grades. The Florida Association of Independent Public Schools is arguing that the state should use a standard of "satisfactory student achievement" instead of school grades to determine eligibility for capital funding. redefinED.
Solar eclipse: More on what Florida schools districts are doing during this afternoon's solar eclipse. Florida Times-Union. Orlando Sentinel. Lakeland Ledger. Bradenton Herald. WBBH. Santa Rosa Press Gazette. Northwest Florida Daily News. Belle Glade Sun. WKRG. Fort Myers News-Press. Naples Daily News. Daytona Beach News-Journal. WQAM. Associated Press. Florida Keys Weekly. Daily Commercial. WTSP. This summer, Haile Middle School principal bought 1,300 special glasses so students could view the solar eclipse today. Last week, Manatee County Superintendent Diana Greene decided that all students would be kept inside during the eclipse. Bradenton Herald. As a 10-year-old in 1991, Neil Brown took a quick look at a partial eclipse in Walla Walla, Wash. It damaged his left eye. Now a teacher at Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach, Brown is warning his students about the danger of looking at the eclipse without special glasses. Palm Beach Post.
Recess in schools: The Florida Senate unanimously approves a bill that would require 20 minutes of daily recess for the state's nearly 1.3 million elementary school students. But the bill is at odds with the one moving through the House now, which would eliminate the daily mandate, allow schools to blend time in physical education classes with recess time, and not require any recess for fourth- and fifth-graders. Senate bill sponsor Anitere Flores, R-Miami, says she hopes the House gets the message that senators “feel strongly that if we’re going to have recess, it should be actual recess.” Miami Herald. Sunshine State News. Politico Florida.
Charter funding challenge: The Florida Association of Independent Public Schools files an administrative challenge to the state's new rules for charter school capital funding. The rule denies any construction and maintenance money to charter schools that receive an F grade from the state, or consecutive D grades. There are no such restrictions on traditional schools, and the association argues that all public schools should be treated the same. Gradebook.
Charter changes: Three Duval County middle schools could become charter schools in the next school year if the Legislature approves a bill that allows such transitions for traditional schools that get D or F grades for three years in a row. Ribault Middle School, Matthew Gilbert Middle and Northwestern Middle could all change hands, says school board chairwoman Paula Wright. “We still have time to pull together as a community so we make certain they understand that this is not what we want,” Wright said. Florida Times-Union.
School bus bill: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that would stiffen penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses and kill or injure someone. They would be required to pay bigger fines, lose their licenses for a year and perform community service in a trauma center or hospital. News Service of Florida. (more…)
Storm-watching: Many Florida school districts close in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Matthew. Governor's office. Associated Press. Romper. Miami Herald. Orlando Sentinel. Sun-Sentinel. Palm Beach Post. Florida Times-Union. Florida Today. Lakeland Ledger. WUSF. WTSP. Daily Commercial. Fort Myers News-Press. Naples Daily News. Gainesville Sun. Ocala Star Banner. Daytona Beach News-Journal. St. Augustine Record. Citrus County Chronicle. Palm Beach County School Superintendent Robert Avossa defends his decision to keep schools open for a half-day Wednesday as scheduled. Palm Beach Post.
Charter school capital: An association of independent charter schools will get an administrative hearing on its challenge to the Florida Board of Education's rule that low-rated charter schools cannot get state money for construction and maintenance. The Florida Association of Independent Public Schools and two Miami charter schools argue that the rules discriminate against charter schools that serve low-income students. redefinED. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida.
Charter oversight: An internal audit criticizes the U.S. Department of Education's oversight of charter schools. Twenty-two of the 33 charter schools studied in Florida and five other states had financial and performance risks, conflicts of interest due to close relationships between charter school boards and their management companies, and a lack of accountability on federal funds, according to the audit. Answer Sheet, Washington Post. (more…)
