Segregation and graduation: The resegregation of Florida schools, reported in a recent study, is likely to have a negative impact on graduation rates in the state. The authors of another study say dropout rates rise a percentage point for black students and 3 percentage points for Hispanics in U.S. school districts that don't require integration of schools. Education Week.
Board term limits: Erika Donalds, a member of the Collier County School Board and the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, is proposing an amendment to the state constitution that would impose term limits on school board members. She suggests no board member be allowed to serve more than eight consecutive years. If it's approved for the ballot by the commission, it would need the support of 60 percent of voters to go into effect. Gradebook.
Libre in Florida: The billionaire Koch brothers are financing a campaign called the Libre Initiative in Florida and several other states to convince Hispanic families of the merits of school choice. Included are bilingual mailings that back the law providing financial incentives for charter schools to move into areas with persistently struggling schools. The president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Mike Petrilli, says the Kochs' selection of school choice as a core issue is "telling us they have good reason to believe this is an issue that’s resonating with Latino families.” Politico.
Board member investigated: An anonymous complaint prompts the Florida Department of Education to order an investigation of a Hillsborough County School Board member's actions. According to a tip, Susan Valdes used her influence to have a district department dissolved so the staff couldn't detect problems with construction work done by her friends and campaign donors. Tampa Bay Times.
