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 3, 2014

Conversation About Florida Standards Changing As Legislative Session Begins

Sondra Hulette and her granddaughter joined dozens of anti-Common Core protestors as they circled a fountain outside the Orange County school district offices last month. Inside the building, the State Board of Education was about to rename Common Core as “The Florida Standards.” But outside, Hulette and others chanted “Stop Common Core!” “Keep education local!” […]

February 26, 2014

Panel Recommends AIR For Florida’s Next Test

A Florida Department of Education panel is recommending the American Institutes for Research produce Florida’s next statewide test. The non-profit American Institutes for Research should produce Florida’s next statewide exam a Florida Department of Education procurement panel said Tuesday, the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau reports. The final recommendation is up to Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. She […]

February 20, 2014

Teacher’s Union President Wants New Direction For Common Standards

The head of the nation’s largest teacher’s union says school districts are botching the implementation of shared math and language arts standards known as Common Core. National Education Association president Dennis Van Roekel said he still supports the standards in an open letter posted on the union’s website, Education Week has more: “Seven of ten […]

February 19, 2014

Listen: A Mom Explains Why Florida Testing Policy Needs To Change

At yesterday’s State Board of Education meeting, Orlando mom Andrea Rediske scolded members for state and federal rules requiring standardized testing. Rediske’s son, Ethan, recently became a national story because Andrea Rediske was forced to submit a testing waiver as her dying son was in a morphine coma. Tuesday, she sought support for the Ethan […]

February 18, 2014

State Board Tweaks Standards Despite Objections

The State Board of Education approved changes to the state’s K-12 standards that keeps calculus and cursive writing, and clarifies and adjusts when some standards are taught. The board approved the changes despite dozens of parents and activists asking the board to rescind the standards. The vote marks another –possibly final — transformation for Florida’s […]

February 17, 2014

Three Questions For Florida Senate President Don Gaetz

Florida’s move toward Common Core standards in schools is sure to be discussed during the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers will also consider allowing undocumented college students to pay cheaper, in-state tuition. Plus, state universities that improve their graduation rates may be able to boost their funding. Senate President Don Gaetz sat down with StateImpact Florida […]

January 31, 2014

How Florida Lawmakers Want To Help Schools Get Ready For Digital Lessons

Florida schools could get more money to upgrade classrooms, purchase new computers, tablets and other technology and train teachers and staff how to use them. But they’ll have to meet new goals set by the Florida Department of Education, submit annual technology plans and document how they’re spending the money. That’s according to a bill […]

January 30, 2014

Three Questions: Jeb Bush On The State Of Common Core And Testing In Florida

Former Gov. Jeb Bush visited classrooms, observed students using their iPads, and took questions from a debate class at a high school in Hialeah, Fla. this week. The tour of the Latin Builders Association Construction & Business Management Academy high school—which is the first charter opened with a business association—was part of National School Choice […]

January 29, 2014

With Test Decision Soon, ACT Launches New Florida Website

Testing firm ACT has launched a website to advertise and educate the public about its new exam as the Florida Department of Education decides which test will mostly replace the FCAT. The ACT Aspire is one of five exams which submitted bids to become Florida’s test for use with new Common Core math and language […]

What The President Said About Education In The State Of The Union

President Barack Obama again asked Congress to expand access to early childhood education programs and defended a major federal grant program, but didn’t propose any new initiatives. Education Week has the recap here: President Barack Obama placed education at the center of a broad strategy to bolster economic mobility and combat poverty—calling on Congress in […]

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