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Florida School Board Leader Supports More School Security, Opposes Arming Teachers

Florida lawmakers will have to ask themselves how much security the state can afford for schools.

Reinforced entry gates. School resource officers in elementary schools. Teachers with guns. Politicians, pundits and school officials have tossed around ideas how to beef up security since the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last month. The Florida Legislature will be asked to increase security funding for school districts when it convenes in March. Dr. [...]

The Ten Biggest Florida Education Stories of 2012

Tony Bennett's hire as Florida Education Commissioner was one of the biggest stories of 2012.

2012 was a busy year in Florida education. One state education commissioner left, while another will take the reins early next year. And Florida got great news on an international comparison. Here are the biggest education stories of 2012, with links to StateImpact Florida coverage. International test results — The biggest education story of the [...]

School Groups Oppose “Fiscal Micro-Management” of Amendment 4

Amendment 4 would change property tax laws for commercial properties, rentals and second homes.

Property taxes are complicated, and school officials are worried Amendment 4 will make them more so. It’s why they’re opposing the amendment even though schools are not included in the change. Amendment 4 is one of a handful of ballot questions intended to lower property tax bills. As with all amendments, it must be approved [...]

Explaining Florida’s Shift To Digital Textbooks

Kindles or other electronic devices will soon replace textbooks in classrooms. New requirements mean Florida students will use digital textbooks by 2015. Some districts have already started making the change. In Pasco County, where there’s a textbook shortage, the district opted to spend money on digital copies of books this school year. The problem is [...]

Florida School Boards Association President Wants A Conversation About FCAT

Orange County school board member Joie Cadle is also president of the Florida School Boards Association.

The president of the Florida School Boards Association says the state’s next education commissioner must be willing to work with school boards, parents and educators to improve Florida’s testing and school and district report card system. Orange County school board member Joie Cadle also told the Orlando Sentinel that school boards should have more control [...]

Governor Scott Says Florida Students Might Face Too Much Testing

Gov. Rick Scott says Florida students may be taking too many tests. But Scott says assessments are important to measuring school quality.

Gov. Rick Scott says Florida students might be tested too much, and is talking to teachers and education officials about what changes should be made to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Scott’s made the comments Friday at a newspaper editor meeting, the Associated Press reported. Testing is important to measure quality, Scott said, but the [...]

Read The Florida School Boards Association FCAT Resolution

The Florida School Boards Association passed a resolution opposing the current use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Thursday. The vote is the strongest opposition yet to the FCAT and Florida’s accountability system to assure teachers, schools and districts are educating students. A dozen state school boards have already passed a similar measure. Read the [...]

Florida School Board Members Say Education Commissioner Challenged Their Authority

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Florida school board members say education commissioner Gerard Robinson issued a threat to local control during a lunchtime speech Thursday at the state association meeting in Tampa. Robinson told the Florida School Boards Association members they were free to oppose the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, but they were not free to ignore state law or [...]

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