Roll Call: More Students Could Be Held Back; Manatee Middle School Cuts Orchestra; Tuition Hike At UCF

Third grade reading scores are out, in Friday’s education headlines.

FCAT: Thousands of third-graders at risk of being held back – About 36,000 Florida 3rd graders could be held back another year after they failed to score high enough on a state reading test. The percentage of students who could be held back rose after Florida education officials made this year’s test more difficult. The Miami Herald

Manatee middle school may lose orchestra over FCAT reading changes – A Manatee County middle school has decided to eliminate its orchestra in order to make room for more required remedial reading classes. The Bradenton Herald

University of Central Florida trustees approve a 15 percent tuition increase for undergraduate students – University of Central Florida students will pay 15 percent more next year, as university trustees said they had no other option following continued state budget cuts. The Orlando Sentinel

School district stops paying half million dollars in stormwater fees, cites Key West court ruling – Palm Beach County schools have joined a growing list of districts which have stopped paying their stormwater bills. The Palm Beach Post

Cocoa Beach athletic director ran concessions for own profit – Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School’s athletic director resigned after investigators discovered he opened the school’s concession stand for outside events — and his own profit. Florida Today