Blue Ribbon schools: Four Florida schools are selected as 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Those chosen are Northside Christian Elementary School, St. Petersburg; State College of Florida Collegiate School, Bradenton; Somerset Arts Conservatory School, Pembroke Pines; and the Design and Architecture Senior High School, Miami. They are among 329 U.S. schools honored. redefinED. Patch.

Bilingual preschools: More than 200 preschool students at nine Orange County elementary schools are being taught in both English and Spanish, thanks to a $1.6 million grant from the Helios Education Foundation. The district is getting an assist from the Orlando Repertory Theatre, which is helping teachers learn techniques for teaching a second language. Orlando Sentinel.

Retention reconsidered: The Hernando County School District, one of six named along with the state in a suit over the state's retention policy for third-graders, is reconsidering its hard-line position on students who opt out of taking the state's standardized tests. School officials say they might use a computer testing program called i-Ready to determine if third-graders are ready for promotion, or permit students who opt out to present a portfolio of their work throughout the school year. Tampa Bay Times. (more…)