Alternative tests: The Florida Senate education committee approves a bill that would allow school districts to use the SAT or ACT instead of the Florida Standards Assessments tests to measure student progress. But Education Commissioner Pam Stewart opposes the plan and the bill does not have a companion proposal in the House, so its prospects for passage are uncertain. Orlando Sentinel. Miami Herald. Politico Florida. Lakeland Ledger. WFSU. The bill, which won't appeal to everyone, would add testing flexibility. Lloyd Dunkelberger, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Sex education: Two Democrats sponsor a bill to give school districts the option of providing comprehensive sex education to students. With the state leading the nation in new HIV infections, Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay, and Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, are calling the bill the "Florida Healthy Adolescence Act." Tampa Bay Times.

Teacher evaluations: It's been four years since the Palm County School District started a new evaluation system for teachers, and not a single one has been rated unsatisfactory, according to a school district report. Palm Beach Post.

Capital request questioned: Jacksonville city leaders say School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti's suggestion that the district needs $1 billion for new schools, renovations and additions comes at a bad time. The city already is looking for support from the state and voters for a plan to collect sales taxes to cover unfunded pension liabilities. Florida Times-Union.

Computer coding: Florida Sen. Jeremy Ring, R-Margate, says the softened House version of his bill to allow computer coding as an alternative to foreign language requirements is unacceptable. Politico Florida.

Common Core: The Florida Parents Against Common Core is joining the national libertarian activist group FreedomWorks in its effort to have the Common Core State Standards banished from schools. Sunshine State News. (more…)

Textbook bills: Bills filed in the Legislature would change the way school districts select classroom material. Elected officials such as school board members would have greater involvement than appointed officials such as district administrators, at least one-third of the people on a textbook committee would have to be parents, and a requirement that at least 50 percent of a district's money for materials be used for electronic or digital content would end. Naples Daily News.

Teacher bonuses: A review of records shows that most of the public school teachers who qualify for bonuses under the state's Best and Brightest scholarship program are in their 20s and 30s. The largest Florida teachers union has filed a complaint that the program discriminates against older and minority teachers. Palm Beach Post.

High school rankings: Eleven Florida schools are included in a list of the top 100 high schools in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. International Studies Charter High School in Miami is the highest-rated state school, coming in 13th.

School breakfast: Public schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties now offer free breakfast to all students. The program is federally funded and the food is required to meet nutritional standards. Sun-Sentinel. (more…)

Au revoir to French?: A bill filed by State Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, would alter the requirements for Bright Futures scholarships from two years of a foreign language to two years of computer coding. Tallahassee Democrat.

School choice bills: Several school choice bills have been filed for the next legislative session. One, by State Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Clearwater, would allow schools with openings to accept students from other counties. Gradebook.

Charter enrollment flattens: Wild growth in charter school enrollment in Duval County is tailing off. After years of double-digit percentage increases, growth is just 1.5 percent this year. Florida Times-Union.

School testing: Maryland is looking into the use of standardized testing and the company that provides most of it, NSC Pearson. It is a leading test company nationwide, though it has lost contracts with Florida and several other states. Maryland Reporter. The highest pass rates in Advanced Placement class exams by black Florida students are in French, art and psychology. Bridge to Tomorrow. (more…)