Education

Department Of Ed Overhaul Runs Into Headwinds Due To Common Core Concerns

Lynn Hatter — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:39:44 +0000

Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett is going through the Department of Education’s job descriptions to see what’s necessary, and what’s not. Bennett’s reorganization efforts are aimed at making the department more efficient. But in his initial efforts to make his agency leaner, Bennett says he failed to realize one key thing:

"There are a lot of positions in the Florida Department of Education that are outlined in statute. I have to tell you, I didn’t know that.”

State Universities Celebrate Lucrative Legislative Session

Jessica Palombo — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:02:37 +0000

Florida’s public university administrators are celebrating after the legislative session. Lawmakers restored funding they’d lost in the recent past. And, higher ed officials say, things like “preeminent” status for Florida State University and the University of Florida should help keep more Florida high-schoolers in state for college.

People who run Florida’s public universities are breathing a collective sigh of relief after the recent legislative session.

Governor Embarks On Education 'Pep Rally' Touting Teacher Raises By September

Lynn Hatter — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:34:47 +0000

Governor Rick Scott is taking a victory lap around the state after the legislature okayed $480 million to fund pay raises for teachers and other school employees.

While the Governor did not get the across-the-board increases he had sought, in a recorded video statement he thanked the legislature for funding the raises.

“Our teachers are going to receive pay raises because there is $480 million in our budget this year...on top of that, there’s over a billion dollars for the second year in a row to constantly continue improving our education.”

Florida Virtual School Slated For Big Budget Hits

Lynn Hatter — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:35:48 +0000

The Florida Virtual School is bracing for an impending budget cut as a result of changes in the state funding formula. The move also has school districts on edge as they also eye a drop in funding as a result of changes proposed in the state’s 2013 budget plan.

Parent Trigger Dies In The Senate For The Second Year In A Row

Lynn Hatter — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:34:39 +0000

A bill giving parents more of a say in the fate of failing public schools has failed in the Senate on a dramatic, tied vote. It’s the second year in a row the Senate has killed the bill.

An amendment by Republican Senator David Simmons stayed intact, giving local school boards, not the state board of education, the final say on the fate of failing public schools. It was meant to ease concerns over a potential loss of local authority. But that wasn’t enough to sway bill opponents to vote for the bill.