Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 band will stay sidelined indefinitely.  FAMU President Dr. James Ammons told the FAMU Board of Trustees this morning that the band’s suspension will continue through the 2012-2013 school year.
The trustees met via teleconference. Their focus was last November’s hazing death of drum major Robert Champion and whether the suspension of band activities should be lifted.
Ammons said he was heavily influenced by the need to be respectful of Robert Champion’s family and other victims.
Florida’s Hispanic students played an integral part in boosting 8th grade test scores in a national science assessment. Gains made by Hispanic students on the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP) bolstered Florida’s overall scores.
Florida 8th graders showed significant improvement in science – an increase of 5 percent from 2009. That means 62 percent of students performed at or above the Basic level of understanding.
The three achievement levels – Basic, Proficient, Advanced – are based on performance standards that indicate what students should know and be able to do.
With a tougher grading formula looming for Florida’s schools, state Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson is recommending a plan that would keep any public school from falling more than one letter grade this year.
In a list of recommendations, Robinson asks the Florida Board of Education to “authorize a maximum one school letter grade drop for 2011-12 to allow public school leaders, teachers and students a year of transition into our new standards.”
Florida elementary schools that don’t perform up to par in reading will have an extra hour tacked on to their day. A new law that goes in to effect this summer will target the worst 100 performers.
The law says each school district having low-performing elementary schools will have to provide an additional hour of intensive reading instruction each day. Districts will pay for the expanded school day with more than $600-million set aside by legislators to cover the law.
Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is ready for its own Board of Trustees. Gov. Rick Scott has launched a national search for thirteen trustees that will govern Florida’s 12th public university.
“We must have a globally competitive education system that will turn out leaders in technology and innovation,” said Scott. “I look forward to calling on talented and visionary individuals who will set Florida Polytechnic on a path toward world-class excellence.”
Gov. Rick Scott has created another task force. It comes on the heels of his new public safety panel charged with examining the Stand Your Ground law. This one will concentrate on reforming the State University System.
Scott says the Blue Ribbon Task Force on State Higher Education Reform will look at how the State University System is governed. “It’s time to assess the progress of prior reform efforts and identify strategies to improve efficiencies and enhance the system’s effectiveness as an economic catalyst,” said Scott.
The Governor’s Office says the focus on higher education will help give Florida a competitive edge in growing the economy and creating jobs.
Think of it as an online teachers’ lounge. Instead of sitting on a couch talking over coffee, principals can share best practices and lesson plans online.
School leaders in Florida are getting an assist from the Florida Department of Education to more effectively communicate with their fellow educators.
The lawmaker behind two key pieces of legislation relating to Florida’s state university system – one signed by Gov. Rick Scott, the other vetoed – talked about the Legislature’s efforts before the Higher Education Coordinating Council on Wednesday.
Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, told the group’s seven members that many of their recommendations were reflected in HB7135, which provides requirements for goal setting and a plan to improve STEM education in Florida, and HB7129, the tuition “preeminence” bill vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Proctor said those bills stemmed from opening remarks made by House Speaker Dean Cannon during the 2012 Legislative Session calling for a study of the state university system. Continue Reading →
Receiving the national recognition was no easy feat. These schools had to show a commitment to reduce environmental impacts and improve the health and academic performance of students and staff. They also must be working to increase the number of graduates schooled in sustaining a healthy environment.
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