Teacher prep rules: The U.S. Education Department issues guidelines for states to rate colleges' teacher preparation programs on an annual basis. The ratings would track teachers after graduation and show how they perform, which is intended to help aspiring teachers decide on which college to attend and to improve the colleges' programs. The states will rate the programs as effective, at-risk, or low-performing. Washington Post. Education Week.

Scholarships appeal: The groups challenging Florida's public education adequacy continue to focus on school choice, and are targeting the state's McKay scholarship program for children with special needs in their appeal. The program helps 30,000 Florida children with special needs pay private school tuition. The groups call the program unconstitutional. redefinED.

Hiring freeze: A hiring freeze that is requiring reshuffling of some educators back into empty classrooms will affect success coaches hired by the Hillsborough County School District to work closely with at-risk students, according to a district memo sent to employees. Gradebook.

Contract negotiations: The proposed contract between Pinellas teachers and the school district includes a guarantee of renewal for teachers on annual contracts who are judged to be effective or highly effective. Gradebook. (more…)