K-12 funding: The Florida Senate and House are close to an agreement that would raise K-12 spending by $458 million, or $71 per student to $7,178. Most of the increase will be absorbed by the state instead of raised through local property taxes. In his budget proposal, Gov. Rick Scott wanted an extra $507 million for K-12 education, but almost 90 percent would have come from local property taxes. Legislators say the plan amounts to $428 million in tax relief. Politico Florida. Tampa Bay Times.

Education bills: What's in the two broadly drawn education bills that still must win approval in the full Senate and agreement in the House? Teacher bonuses, a change in charter school authority, open enrollment and much more. Gradebook.

Testing season: Florida's testing season begins today, and the Florida Department of Education is hoping for improvements from last year's problems of technical glitches. The Florida Standards Assessments vendor, American Institutes for Research, has upgraded software, hardware, security and its help desk, officials say. Orlando Sentinel.

Opting out: In west-central Florida counties, opting out of the Florida Standards Assessments tests isn't easy. Some parents wonder why, especially when they see other counties work with parents to avoid disruptions for students who opt out. Tampa Bay Times. The Department of Education denies a request that an Oak Park School student be exempted from taking the Florida Standards Assessment due to medical complexities. Maddy Drew's cerebral palsy prevents her from being able to speak, use the restroom on her own, or communicate beyond an occasional gesture with her one good hand. Her angry mother says she will take Maddy out of school until testing is completed. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Computer coding: Teachers and students talk about the possibility of computer coding fulfilling foreign language requirements. Sun-Sentinel. Panama City News Herald. (more…)