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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January 27, 2015

Opting Out Of State Tests Isn’t An Option, Education Commissioner Tells Lawmakers

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart says students can not skip state-required tests, and teachers and schools can be punished for refusing to administer required exams. Stewart’s letter is a response to questions from Senators as they prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Senators wanted to know if students could opt out of state-required exams and how […]

January 13, 2015

Florida And The Congressional Debate Over Rewriting No Child Left Behind

No Child Left Behind needs an update. Born in 2002, the law expired in 2007 and has sat as Republicans and Democrats struggled to find agreement. But Republicans now in control of both Congressional chambers seem ready to take on the task — and likely reduce federal education requirements on states. The biggest question is […]

January 12, 2015

Fewer And Better: How Lawmakers Want To Change State Testing

When lawmakers return to Tallahassee in March for the annual legislative session, they have a lot of questions they need to answer about public school testing. Senators laid out their concerns about the state testing system last week at a series of meetings. They don’t know how many tests the state requires, or how long […]

January 7, 2015

Florida Senators Raise Testing Questions At Budget Hearing

A state senator and leader of the Florida’s school superintendents association said he’s not sure schools will have the technology in place for new online exams this spring. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart told the Senate Education Appropriations committee that Florida’s new statewide tests, the Florida Standards Assessments, are on track for use beginning in March. […]

December 22, 2014

The Education Year In Review — And What To Expect In 2015

2014 was a big year for education in Florida. Activists in Lee County convinced the school board to ditch state testing — before the board reversed the decision a couple of days later. Florida schools pushed ahead with new Common Core-based math and language arts standards in every grade, despite rising opposition to Common Core […]

December 18, 2014

What Polling Says About Common Core And Jeb Bush’s Presidential Run

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush took a first step toward becoming a 2016 presidential candidate Tuesday. And that has many asking how his position on education issues would affect both a Republican primary candidacy and, if Bush survives, a general election candidacy. Bush made education one of his top issues during his two terms as […]

December 1, 2014

Anti-Testing Groups Help Students Opt Out Of Florida Standardized Assessments

“Opt Out” groups are pushing back against what they say is too much standardized testing in Florida. The tests are changing as the state transitions to Florida Standards – an offshoot of the Common Core standards being implemented around the country. Two-dozen groups have been formed at the district level to help parents learn the procedure for opting their students […]

October 30, 2014

Broward Schools Want Changes To Evaluations And High School Schedules

Broward County school and union leaders want to make changes to test-based teacher evaluations and the county’s high school schedule. Superintendent Robert Runcie announced two task forces will study the issues and recommend changes. One goal is to come up with a teacher evaluation system that is less about punishing teachers who earn low scores […]

October 27, 2014

What A Second Term Of Rick Scott Or Charlie Crist Will Mean For Florida Education

Polls show Governor Rick Scott and former Governor Charlie Crist are polarizing. Voters are as likely to dislike the candidates as they are to approve of them. So both candidates are talking about schools, colleges and scholarships — to motivate their supporters. “Education is an issue that is helping to appeal to the base,” says […]

October 22, 2014

Court, Public Relations Battle Over Florida Private School Programs Heating Up

The legal and public relations battle over Florida’s private school scholarship programs continues, with the statewide teacher’s union revising its lawsuit and a school choice group producing a new television ad supporting the programs. Wednesday, the Florida Education Association amended its complaint challenging a new school choice law. The new complaint adds South Florida parents […]

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