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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August 21, 2012

In New Ad, Gov. Rick Scott Says He’s Listening To Complaints About FCAT

Gov. Rick Scott has released a back-to-school message in the form of a Republican Party of Florida-sponsored ad. In the as Scott says “listening to parents and teachers is still the best education” and is one reason he pushed to increase education funding by $1 billion. But the second part of the ad is likely […]

August 20, 2012

Harvard Researcher Says Third Graders Benefit From Retention And Extra Instruction

Florida’s policy of retaining third graders based on state standardized test scores has a positive long-term impact on those students, according to a new study from the Brookings Institute. Retention only works when the students who are held back are provided with extra instruction and the money to fund those programs, according to Harvard University […]

August 17, 2012

Hillsborough Superintendent Says She’s Committed To School District

Hillsborough County schools superintendent MaryEllen Elia says she’s committed to staying in the county. Elia has been suggested as a replacement for state Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson, who has resigned his post and will leave at the end of the month. Elia didn’t rule out the job, but says she has other priorities. “I have […]

August 15, 2012

Wrapping Up Florida’s School Election Results

Florida voters headed to the polls on Tuesday Many counties held school district races. And education advocates were keeping their eyes on a handful of State House races as well. So who were the winners and who were the losers? Here’s a wrap-up of the results from around the state, after the jump:

August 14, 2012

Today May Be Your Only Chance To Vote For School Board

Hillsborough County Republican Party chairman Art Wood reminds political independents why they still have a reason to head to the polls today — it may be the only chance to vote for school board. Non-partisan races such as school board and judges are being held across Florida. If you want a say, Wood recommends visiting […]

August 13, 2012

What Paul Ryan’s Budget Would Mean For College Aid And Schools

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has chosen U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate. And with Ryan will come plenty of debate about his federal budget proposal. So it’s worth revisiting a piece we wrote in April, looking at how Democrats were working to politicize cuts to federal college aid included […]

August 10, 2012

Group Helping Miami Immigrant Students Stay In The U.S.

In June, President Barack Obama issued an executive order to cut down on the number of undocumented young people being deported. It’s been a safe harbor for kids hoping to continue their education in America. The order applies to immigrants under age 30 who were brought to the U.S. when they were younger than 16. […]

August 8, 2012

Florida School Boards Association President Wants A Conversation About FCAT

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 […]

August 2, 2012

Three Questions About The Florida Education Commissioner’s Resignation

University of South Florida education professor Sherman Dorn literally wrote (well, edited) the book on Florida’s education reform policies. So we grabbed him for a few minutes to ask what Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson’s resignation might mean long-term. Dorn says Robinson was put in a particularly difficult position and that Florida’s education chief is a […]

StudentsFirst Organizer Defends Giving Gift Cards To Online Commenters

Betrayed. That’s how regional StudentsFirst organizer Catherine Robinson felt when an email she sent to a small group of supporters wound up published on education blogs. The email announced a contest awarding gift cards for the best comments left on online education stories. (Two StateImpact Florida stories were among included links). Robinson says the $5 […]

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