Testing. A computerized testing SNAFU leads to a painful ordeal, then a cheating accusation, then a firing, for an elementary music teacher. Tampa Bay Times.

Elections. American Federation of Teachers leader Randi Weingarten says Donald Trump seeks the "decimation of public education." Florida Politics. A retired teacher ventures into a state House race, challenging a heavily favored Republican incumbent in a conservative district. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. A civics teacher uses campaign season to bring class to life. Orlando Sentinel.

Collective bargaining. Rising health insurance premiums complicate labor negotiations for Indian River County teachers. TC Palm.

Charter schools. Pepin Academies, a charter school for children with special needs, offers programs to help older students get jobs. Tampa Bay Times.

Lead in drinking water. "We are not Flint," a professor who detected excessive lead levels in two Leon County schools' water systems says. Tallahassee Democrat. The district plans to create a Water Quality Assurance program. Communication needs to improve, the Democrat editorializes. The district is following EPA guidelines, a school board member writes.  (more…)

Testing. State testing is halted amid computer problems. Associated Press. Tampa Bay Times. Miami Herald. Tampa Tribune. Orlando Sentinel. Florida Times-Union. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Naples Daily News. Fort Myers News-Press. Ocala Star-Banner. Indian River Press-Journal. Tallahassee Democrat. Northwest Florida Daily News. It works for some districts after delays. Pensacola News-Journal. Bradenton Herald. It's set to resume today. Sun-Sentinel. Anti-testing groups crank up the heat. Gradebook. A Palm Beach Post columnist blasts the problems. Alachua groups plan to talk testing in a public forum. Gainesville Sun.

PLSAs. Florida's personal learning scholarship accounts are an innovative program for special needs students, William Mattox writes in Context Florida. The accounts will likely serve more students in their second year. EdFly. The program is administered by organizations like Step Up For Students, which co-hosts this blog and employs the author of this post.

Private schools. Scholarship programs are growing, but private schools aren't subject to the same testing requirements as public schools, an Orlando Sentinel columnist writes. (more…)