Students will find out in June if they’ll be required to take an extra hour of reading instruction next school year because of low Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. But we didn’t have to wait long to get your reaction to the new law. Jose likes the idea, citing the benefits of additional class time in [...]
Earlier this week we wrote about “Happy Scientist” blogger Robert Krampf, who criticized some of the questions, answers and background material on practice materials for the FCAT science test. Krampf argued the test presented one multiple choice answer as correct, when a number of the answers were scientifically correct. Krampf took his concerns to the [...]
Earlier this week we reported on professor salary data compiled by the Chronicle of Higher Education. That data showed that a pair of University of South Florida branch campuses pay higher average salaries than the main Tampa campus. The data also showed that the University of Miami reported the highest average professor pay in the [...]
We’ve talked about bullying several times this week. As the movie “Bully” opens in theatres, students in South Florida are sharing their own painful experiences. We also heard about the suicide of a teenager who classmates say was a victim of bullying and harassment at school. The New Jersey teen was a family friend of [...]
Earlier this week we wrote about a Lumina Foundation study that showed Florida was not producing enough college graduates to meet the projected job market needs by 2018. The report warns that those without college education will likely find it more difficult to find work. Readers chimed in, with many noting that a college degree [...]
The nation is talking about the death of Trayvon Martin in a gated Florida community Feb. 26, and that discussion included StateImpact Florida as well. Many of the comments to our coverage this week dealt with Martin’s suspension from school at the time he was shot by a volunteer neighborhood watch leader. Some readers have [...]
Sarah Gonzalez’ stories this week about corporal punishment in Florida schools sparked plenty of interest after they were picked up by NPR, The Huffington Post and a number of parenting and legal blogs. ABC News posted their own story today. If you missed any of Sarah’s coverage, check it out below. Why Florida Schools Want [...]
Last week’s story on Florida’s teacher evaluation formula drew some thoughtful responses, including a deeper at the issues look over on the Shanker Blog. Many of the comments here expressed disbelief that Florida’s formula could measure what was promised. Floridagadfly says teaching can not be boiled down to a statistical model because students are not [...]
A listener heard our recent story about Florida’s teacher evaluation formula, and asked us to post it on the StateImpact Florida Facebook page. “You’ve made so much of its complexity,” Chris Harris wrote. “It seems the best way to demonstrate that is to publish it in its entirety.” We agree, so here it is with [...]
Reader Scubus has a detailed response to yesterday’s story about Florida’s teacher evaluation formula: You know how hurricane models vary in their predictions, and are not often in agreement or 100% accurate? That is a similar mathematical model. They are only as good as the underlying assumptions. In addition, study after study shows that children [...]
StateImpact seeks to inform and engage local communities with broadcast and online news focused on how state government decisions affect your lives.
Learn More »