Influence

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Education is big business. These are stories about the politicians, businesses, lobbyists and other leaders seeking to impact education decisions.

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March 15, 2013

House Republicans And Democrats Spar Over Charter School Bias Charge

The fact that the House budget committee approved a charter school bill Thursday isn’t nearly as interesting as the debate that took place. Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, said his bill is designed to increase accountability for charter schools – since they are using public dollars – and increase flexibility and growth. Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, […]

ALEC Posts Library Of Pre-Written Legislation

Depending on your viewpoint, the American Legislative Exchange Council is either a forum for lawmakers to discuss conservative-minded legislation or a secretive organization leading the charge to privatize public education. But the group is a little less secretive Friday after posting hundreds of pieces of “model legislation” online. The bills are templates lawmakers can adapt […]

March 14, 2013

Bill Requiring School Districts To Post Testing Schedule Moves Forward

A bill moving through the Florida Legislature would require districts to post the testing schedule not just for statewide assessments like the FCAT, but also for local assessments. The bill’s House sponsor says some districts require up to an additional 151 tests, and many parents don’t know when local assessments are being given. Rep. Manny Diaz, […]

March 12, 2013

How Florida’s Senate President Would Change Teacher Evaluations

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 […]

March 11, 2013

Parent Trigger Bill Leads To Debate About “Authentic Parents”

As parent trigger legislation again moves through the Florida Legislature, the group Fund Education Now is mad at the lawmakers who revived the bill after its narrow defeat last year. The Parent Empowerment in Education bill, better known as the parent trigger, would enable parents at chronically failing schools to petition the school board for […]

Schools A Top Priority For Florida’s Senate President

If Don Gaetz gives you a task, he will make sure you get it done. That’s how Cindy Frakes remembers Gaetz, whom she worked with in the Okaloosa County schools. Gaetz was the superintendent then, in the early 2000s. Frakes was, and still is, a member of the school board. Gaetz kept a list, Frakes […]

March 8, 2013

Senate President Says Florida Should Meet Deadline For New Education Standards, Testing

Senate President Don Gaetz is a former school board member and district superintendent, so he knows a thing or two about big changes in school policy. Florida lawmakers, Education Commissioner Tony Bennett and outside experts have all raised questions about whether Florida and other states will meet a fall 2014 deadline for new education standards […]

Committee Gives Parent Trigger Bill First Approval

House Choice and Innovation subcommittee approved The Parent Empowerment in Education bill, better known as the parent trigger, Thursday. The bill (HB867) is making a return after passing the House last year but dying in the Senate on a tie vote the final day of the legislative session. Critics say the bill is designed to […]

March 5, 2013

Gov. Scott Is Asking Nicely: Please Pay Teachers More

A year ago, Gov. Rick Scott drew a line in the sand for lawmakers listening to his State of the State speech. Scott wanted $1 billion added to the K-12 education budget. Nothing less. “And I ask you to please consider that recommendation very carefully,” Scott said, according to the prepared speech. “On this point, […]

Bill Would Require School Districts Post Testing Schedule

A House committee unanimously approved a bill requiring school districts to post standardized testing schedules online. Districts are already required to post the schedule for state-mandated tests such as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Schools districts would have to identify additional testing they’ve required. Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr, R-Hialeah, said districts would have to post […]

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