ESSA plan submitted: Florida submits its plan on how it will implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The deadline to file the plan was Monday, but the state received an extension from the U.S. Department of Education because of Hurricane Irma. The plan would continue the state's accountability program, which calls for annual standardized testing and school and district grades, and increase the reporting period for English language learners from two years to four years. The state originally planned to ask for several waivers, but backed off in the final plan. Orlando Sentinel. Gradebook. Politico Florida.
H.B. 7069 lawsuit: Two more Florida school districts will join 12 districts in suing over the state's new education law, H.B. 7069, while another district narrowly decides against it. Joining the suit are the Alachua and Wakulla school boards. Manatee board members vote 3-2 against signing on to the suit, which has yet to be filed. Gradebook.
Gender-neutral request: A 5th grade teacher at Canopy Oaks Elementary School in Leon County riles some parents with a request that her students use gender-neutral pronouns in class. In a note to parents, Chloe Bressack wrote: "My pronouns are 'they, them, their' instead of 'he, his, she, hers.' I know it takes some practice for it to feel natural, but students catch on pretty quickly.” She also ask that students address her as Mx. Bressack. Principal Paul Lambert says he supports Bressack's request, and Superintendent Rocky Hanna says, "I can assure you that teachers in our district will not be allowed to use their influence in the classroom to advance any personal belief or political agenda. At this time, I do not believe that is the case in this instance." Tallahassee Democrat.
Makeup days, storm recovery: Some school districts announce decisions about making up days lost to Hurricane Irma, while others are still considering their options. The Florida Department of Education says it will waive two days, but other days will have to be made up. Schools may apply before Oct. 16 for an exemption. Bradenton Herald. Sun-Sentinel. WFLA. WTSP. Gradebook. Gainesville Sun. Naples Daily News. Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daily Commercial. Citrus County Chronicle. Eighty books and several board games were stolen from a Dunedin Highland Middle School classroom when the school was used an an evacuation shelter. Tampa Bay Times. WTSP. The Pasco County School District approves spending up to $10,000 to hire a consultant to supervise the filing of a claim to FEMA for storm damage reimbursement. The district has 30 days to initiate a claim and 60 days to file it. Gradebook. The Immokalee Community School, a charter school primarily for migrant families, plays a key role in the community's recovery. redefinED.
District may sue over bill: The Broward County School Board is considering suing the Florida Department of Education over H.B. 7069's requirements that districts share property tax revenue with charter schools and that districts accept charters - so-called "schools of hope" - into neighborhoods with persistently low-performing schools. “We believe that it’s an unlawful public financing of private enterprise,” said Barbara Myrick, Broward’s legal counsel. She also says the 270-plus-page legislation has more than one subject, which she considers a violation of the state law that calls for legislative bills to contain one subject. A decision on a suit is expected to be made next week. Sun Sentinel.
New laws Saturday: One hundred and twenty-five new Florida laws go into effect Saturday. Among them are several education bills: H.B. 3A, which boosts per-pupil spending by $100; H.B. 7069, which changes testing, recess, teacher bonuses, provides extra money for charter schools and more; S.B. 436, which gives teachers and students greater freedom of religious expression; and H.B. 989, which allows anyone to challenge a district's choice of classroom materials. News Service of Florida. A Lakeland couple's successful push to extend state adoption benefits to charter and virtual school employees also takes effect Saturday. Lakeland Ledger.
Educational shift: The Florida Council of 100 believes up to $3 billion in state pre-K through 3rd grade education spending should be redirected from meeting the requirements of the class size amendment to recruiting and paying higher-quality teachers, extending the pre-K program to 3-year-olds and investing in technology. “While class size has a proven impact on grades PreK-3, research clearly indicates that at least $2 billion of taxpayer money for the later years would be better spent on things like attracting and retaining top-notch teachers and improving early learning,” says Pat Geraghty, council chair. The council's report, “The Horizons 2040 Project: Prekindergarten Through Grade 3,” will be presented to the Constitution Revision Commission for consideration. Sunshine State News. Gradebook. Florida Politics.
Random drug testing: Monroe County high school athletes and students in performance groups will be subject to random drug testing this fall. The one-year trial was approved this week by the Monroe County School Board. Keynoter. (more…)
Education spending: The Senate Appropriations Committee approves a bill that would spread federal Title I funding to more schools, including charters, and give districts less control over the grants. Gradebook. The committee also approves a bill that would automatically put teachers and other public workers into a 401 (k) investment program instead of the state's pension plan if they fail to choose a retirement plan option when hired. News Service of Florida. Politico Florida. Two bills (S.B. 1314 and S.B. 902) that would increase eligibility and funding for private school choice options also are approved by the committee. redefinED. Politico Florida.
Legislative effects: Duval County school officials say the district may have to close schools as a result of decisions made in the Legislature this year. They've called a community meeting tonight to discuss how the Legislature's decisions could affect the district. Florida Times-Union.
Budget discussions: As mostly secret state budget negotiations continue, the Senate approves the placement of a constitutional amendment on the 2018 ballot that would increase the nonschool homestead exemption by $25,000. The Senate's appropriations committee also approves a three-day back to school tax holiday. Because there's a 72-hour "cooling off" period required, the budget must be finalized today in order for the Legislature to end as scheduled Friday. Politico Florida. News Service of Florida. Associated Press. Tampa Bay Times. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. News Service of Florida.
Federal budget impact: The impact of President Trump's budget would be devastating to south Florida schools, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten says at a rally. Miami-Dade County could lose $21.6 million for after-school programs, she says, and teachers could lose $17 million for professional development. Miami Herald. (more…)
