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…]
Tag: Paula Wright
Florida schools roundup: ESSA plan, safety breakdowns, graduation rates and more
State’s ESSA plan rapped: Florida’s plan to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act is the worst in the country in identifying persistently underperforming schools and working to improve student outcomes, according to a review of every state’s plan by 24 independent education advocates and leaders of both political parties.[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Security, school board elections, grades and more
School security: As the Palm Beach County School District’s police force welcomes a new chief, the previous two chiefs are still on the payroll. Frank Kitzerow was hired as the new chief last week, but the outgoing chief, Lawrence Leon, will remain in the department for at least another year and[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Security plans, chief’s error, housing issues and more
School security: After Manatee County officials declined to provide more money to protect schools, the school district is now planning to hire 44 armed security guards to be stationed at county schools. Deputy superintendent Ron Ciranna says the district will tap into the state’s fund for its guardian program to pay[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: School safety, budget, new superintendent and more
School safety bill: After a second straight day of eight-hour debates, the Florida House approves the school safety bill by a 67-50 margin. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who said he would review it line-by-line and talk to families of the Parkland shooting before deciding whether to[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Teacher bonuses, shootings aftermath and more
Teacher bonuses: More than 163,500 Florida teachers qualify for bonuses under the state’s Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program, according to Florida Department of Education data. The bonuses range from $800 to $7,200. More than 9,000 will get the top awards. They qualify by being rated highly effective and scoring[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: Governor’s education budget, H.B. 7069 and more
Governor’s education budget: Gov. Rick Scott’s $87.4 billion budget proposal includes a request to increase per student spending by $200, to $7,497, boost the state’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program by $12 million, add $23 million for Bright Futures scholarships, and give $18 million to help teachers buy classroom supplies. Scott would[Read More…]
Florida schools roundup: School costs, repairs, absenteeism, eclipse and more
School costs rise: Lee County school officials are asking the school board to approve an additional $13.9 million to build Bonita Springs High School. The board approved a budget of $49.9 million in April 2016, but the latest estimate of the final cost is $84.9 million. School officials blame a[Read More…]