StateImpact

Florida's Education Budget By The Numbers

Gina Jordan — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:30:11 +0000

Gov. Rick Scott has signed a budget that’s very different than the one he’s been paying for since he authorized massive education cuts two years ago.

Back then, pundits speculated Scott may have sealed his fate as a one term governor when he proposed a few billion dollars worth of cuts to education.

Documents Show K12 Struggling With Teacher Quality

Trevor Aaronson and John O'Connor — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:54:37 +0000

The Florida Center for Investigative Reporting and StateImpact Florida have obtained internal emails and a recording of a company meeting that provide new insight into allegations that K12 Inc., the nation’s largest online education company, uses teachers in Florida who do not have all of the required state certifications.

Last month, a draft report by the state Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General found that the publicly traded company employed at least three teach

Jeb Bush Is Sticking To His Guns On Parent Trigger Bill

Gina Jordan — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:48:01 +0000

The Foundation for Florida’s Future isn’t giving up on the parent trigger bill.

Teachers May Receive Raises Sooner Than June 2014

Gina Jordan — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:40:28 +0000

Teachers might not have to wait another year for a raise after all.

Leaders in the Florida Legislature are working on a fix to the education budget that provides $480 million in raises for teachers and other school personnel.

But according to the budget, that money won’t be in paychecks until June 2014.

Lawmakers say a technical fix should get teachers their raises before next year.

“We need to give the school districts a little more flexibility to spend that money so

Q&A: Teacher's Union Chief Questions Pace Of Transition To New Standards

Gina Jordan — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:02:47 +0000

Florida is working toward full implementation of Common Core State Standards by the 2014-15 school year.

The standards set benchmarks for each grade level.

New Lawsuit Claims Florida Teacher Evaluations Are Unconstitutional

Gina Jordan — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:21:48 +0000

The Florida Education Association and National Education Association filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s teacher evaluation system.

The system was created under a law passed in 2011 known as Senate Bill 736.

State law requires school districts base at least 40 percent of a teacher’s evaluation on student Will Florida need a ‘Plan B’ test for new standards set to hit state schools in 2014?

Plans For Implementing Common Core Standards In Florida Coming Next Week

Gina Jordan — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:10:05 +0000

Education Commissioner Tony Bennett says he will have more information next week about plans for implementing new education standards known as Common Core.

The State Board of Education is meeting next week.

“We have rolled out a very aggressive implementation plan,” Bennett said.

Patricia Levesque Is A Powerful Force Behind School Choice In Florida

Gina Jordan — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Patricia Levesque runs two foundations created by former Florida Gov.

Parents Seek To Unite Florida's Education Activists

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:54:58 +0000

A loose-knit network of education activists generally opposed to the direction Florida has been taking its schools recently is attempting to organize into a more potent political force.

The groups include parents, people who want more state funding for schools, and others who are fed up with the brand of testing-based school accountability that Florida has become famous for.

New Scholarship Standards Seen Disqualifying Majority Of Black, Hispanic Students

John O'Connor — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:35:05 +0000

More than half of Florida’s Hispanic and black students at state universities currently eligible for the state’s Bright Futures college scholarship would no longer qualify when new standards take effect on July 1, according to a University of South Florida analysis obtained by the Florida College Access Network.

By comparison, about 40 percent of white and Asian students at state universities would no longer be eligible for the scholarship.

The minimum SAT and ACT scores required to eligible for the merit-based scholarships is increasing.

New State Budget Would Boost Spending on Education, Teacher Pay

Gina Jordan — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:44:29 +0000

The Florida House has released its proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Speaker Will Weatherford says education was prioritized over everything else.

“The big winner is education,” Weatherford said.

Business Group Says Health Care Expansion Threatens Education Funding

John O'Connor — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:16:29 +0000

A business advocacy group is running television ads that say Florida might have to cut education funding if the state expands Medicaid health coverage.

The National Federation of Independent Business has also set up a website — FloridaCanDoBetter.com.

“Washington promises to pay the billions in new costs. But with these endless federal deficits can we really trust them?” The ad states.

Parent Trigger Supporters Try To Debunk 'Misconceptions' About The Bill

Gina Jordan — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:41:20 +0000

Supporters of the parent trigger bill held a briefing with reporters today near the Capitol.

The briefing was hosted by Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. The foundation was created by former Gov. Jeb Bush.

The group is staunchly behind proposed legislation titled Parent Empowerment in Education (SB862/HB867).

How Florida's Senate President Would Change Teacher Evaluations

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:41:47 +0000

Florida’s Senate President says the state’s teacher evaluation system is confusing and should be reworked so teacher ratings more closely match those of the schools they work in.

Senate President Don Gaetz, a former school board member and elected superintendent, says schools should no longer evaluate some teachers based on test scores of students they haven’t taught.

Florida Students Will Spend At Least Eight Hours A Year Taking New Standardized Test

editor — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:11:05 +0000

Third grade students will spend at least eight hours a year taking Florida’s next standardized test, with high school juniors will spend nearly 10 hours to complete the new online standardized test.

A Florida 8th grader — taking the FCAT reading, math, science and writing tests — will spend 8 and 20 minutes on testing this year.

Florida Legislative Leaders Say This Is The Year For The Parent Trigger Bill

Gina Jordan — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:37:09 +0000

The parent trigger bill is back, and House Speaker Will Weatherford thinks it has a good chance of passing this year.

He even tweeted about it shortly after the bill was filed.

“It’s great public policy. It empowers families. It empowers parents, gives them the choices that they need,” Weatherford told StateImpact Florida.

StateImpact Florida: Putting Education Reform To The Test

StateImpact Florida — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:18:03 +0000

StateImpact Florida journalists John O'Connor and Sarah Gonzalez travel the state to report on how education issues affect you.

Recent topics on StateImpact Florida include:

Florida's 13th University May Be Online Only

Rick Stone — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:28:39 +0000

Florida's next public university could be Online U.

Depending on how the Florida Board of Governors reconciles several issues with expert recommendations, the Legislature may be asked next year to establish the 13th state university for Internet students only.

The indicators are good for welcome and acceptance by degree-seeking students, according to Gina Jordan's story for StateImpact Florida:

NEWSCAST: 'Bright Futures' Could Be Changed

Kelley Mitchell — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:30:53 +0000

NEWSCAST: Meet Florida's New Education Chief

Kelley Mitchell — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:46:55 +0000

A Fruit Or Vegetable On Every Plate Whether Students Want It Or Not

Gina Jordan — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:52:57 +0000

Under new federal dietary rules, kids in school cafeteria lunch lines will be required to accept a serving of fruit or vegetables. But since there is no corresponding federal power to make them eat it, it’s likely many students will soon be defying their government at lunchtime.

StateImpact education reporter Gina Jordan has been sampling the student opinion of broccoli and peas and stuff:

“I hate them.”