Charter schools expansion: A bill that could expand the number of charter schools in low-income neighborhoods in Florida is passed by the PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee. The bill would allow “Schools of Hope” charters to open in 427 financially struggling neighborhoods with persistently low-performing schools that are designated as “opportunity zones”[Read More…]
Tag: Gov. Rick Scott
Florida schools roundup: Education suit dismissed, BOE appointments and more
Education lawsuit dismissed: A nearly 10-year-old lawsuit alleging that the state has failed to live up to its constitutional duty to fund a “high quality” K-12 public education system has been dismissed by the Florida Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision. The court majority upheld a lower court ruling that[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Shooting report, arming teachers, education bills and more
School shooting report: The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission approves a 458-page final report that calls on the state to arm willing teachers, provide more money to add school resource officers and harden school buildings and campuses, and streamline communications between schools and law enforcement agencies, among the[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: School shooting is top AP story, panic alarms and more
School shooting is top story: A gunman’s murder of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14 is voted the top story of the year in the Associated Press’ annual poll of U.S. editors and news directors. The shooting spurred security reforms at[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: School choice, teacher pay, school report and more
More choice, accountability: At its first meeting, Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ education transition team urges more school choice for Florida students, more information about those choices for parents, expanded personalized learning options and increased accountability for schools. “We’re moving from school choice to informed, high quality school choice,” says Kim McDougal, former chief[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Stewart resigns, superintendent choice and more
Stewart resigns: Pam Stewart, Florida’s education commissioner, submits her resignation effective Jan. 8 as rumors swirl around Tallahassee that former House Speaker Richard Corcoran is Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ choice to replace her. Stewart has been education commissioner since 2013. She announced last year that she would retire when Gov. Rick[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Corcoran and DOE, arming teachers, lawsuit and more
Corcoran as commissioner? Republican Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis is reportedly considering appointing former House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, to be the next commissioner of education. The staunch school choice advocate would replace Pam Stewart, who had planned on retiring when Gov. Rick Scott left office in January but in October accepted[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: DeSantis wins, tax hikes pass, board elections and more
Statewide races: Republican Ron DeSantis, who strongly backs school choice, wants 80 percent of all education spending directed into the classroom and pledges to expand the state’s K-12 scholarship programs and career and technical education opportunities, narrowly wins the governor’s race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. In other statewide races, Gov. Rick[Read More…]