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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February 27, 2012

Arne Duncan Steals The Show At Orlando All-Star Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qan2ayA9X6g The NBA All-Star game was in Orlando over the weekend, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined in the celebrity game. Duncan captained the Harvard squad and was an academic All-American during his time in Cambridge. Duncan also played professionally, much of it in Australia. Here’s a couple of clips from the game, including […]

February 24, 2012

Independent USF Poly Would Take Longer To Earn Accreditation

The Chronicle of Higher Education has condensed the months-long saga over the University of South Florida Polytechnic’s future into one handy story. Most interesting to Florida readers is an interview with the president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the organization that would accredit the new, independent school. President Belle Wheelan said the […]

February 23, 2012

Florida Schools Chief Says New Grade Proposals Under Review

Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson says the state may not include schools that specialize in students with disabilities in the new school grading formula now under discussion. “One simulation, for example,” Robinson said in a statement released Thursday afternoon, “includes grading all schools that serve students with disabilities; however, we are reviewing alternative options for schools […]

February 22, 2012

Can USF Polytechnic Earn Accreditation By July?

Polk County Sen. JD Alexander has made it pretty clear in the last week that it isn’t an issue of if USF Polytechnic will become the state’s 12th university, but when. Like television’s Judge Lynn, Alexander has repeatedly said he’s ready to make that divorce happen. But what’s unclear is if the new university could […]

February 21, 2012

Parent Trigger Now Playing In The Legislature, Coming Soon To Theaters

The parent trigger will be the next education issue to receive the Hollywood treatment later this year. The New York Times reports producers are planning a September release for “Won’t Back Down,” a fictional dramatization of a campaign to restructure a low-performing Pennsylvania school. The movie follows on the success of charter school documentary “Waiting […]

February 20, 2012

Times Education Reporter Moves On

One of Florida’s top education reporters has taken a job with the non-profit group that oversees a scholarship program for low-income students. Tampa Bay Times reporter Ron Matus is now the assistant director of policy and public affairs at Step Up For Students, according to The Gradebook. Step Up for Students is the Tampa-based group […]

February 14, 2012

School Prayer Bill Passes Another Hurdle

School plays and football games could soon start with a student-led prayer or inspirational message, if a bill making its way through the legislature becomes law. But some lawmakers are concerned about giving students an open forum at school events. Supporters see the bill as a way to allow student-led prayers at school events. They […]

February 9, 2012

White House Gives Florida ‘Green Light’ On ‘No Child’ Waiver

The White House has confirmed that Florida is one of ten states which has been granted a waiver from No Child Left Behind requirements. Of eleven states initially applying, only New Mexico was not approved today. In a statement, President Barack Obama said the move will give states the “green light to continue making reforms […]

February 8, 2012

Should Florida Lawmakers Send A Message To Seminole County Schools?

Seminole County’s school board has found itself a political target at home, and in Tallahassee, for its threat to close down schools due to budget cuts and declining revenue. Seminole is facing a $20 million budget shortfall next year, largely due to the end of one-time federal assistance. The district has proposed everything from saving […]

February 2, 2012

Why Gov. Rick Scott Can’t Prevent University Tuition Hikes

Gov. Rick Scott has thrown out a handful of education markers for lawmakers this session, most notably threatening to veto any budget that does not increase K-12 funding. Scott told lawmakers that he also opposes a proposed budget that would raise tuition at state universities. But it’s worth underlining a passage in the Orlando Sentinel’s […]

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