StudentsFirst founder Michelle Rhee has advised Gov. Rick Scott. StudentsFirst recently sent out an email offering gift cards to Florida supporters who comment on online education stories.
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 gift cards were a small tribute of thanks to hard-working volunteers. The gift cards were not a pay-off designed to impersonate a groundswell of public support for StudentsFirst ideas, she says.
“I thought it was sad. It broke my heart,” Robinson said of seeing her email posted to a handful of education blogs. “I thought it might be nice to recognize that (volunteer effort)…It’s not much of a reward.”
“The board is extremely grateful for Gerard’s leadership this past year,” said State Board of Education Chair Kathleen Shanahan. “He has worked with the board as we have raised standards for our students and our schools. He is a leader who embodies and understands the importance of education reform.”
Breakthrough Miami students and their teacher interns with StateImpact Florida reporter Sarah Gonzalez (left) at the WLRN-Miami Herald studios.
For today’s installment in our series, The Secret Lives of Students, we hear from a rising 9th grade student about to enroll in a mandatory virtual class.
Editor’s note: This post was written by high school student Jennifer Lopez.
By Jennifer Lopez, 14
A year-old law in Florida has made virtual courses mandatory for ninth grade students.
These virtual courses are to be taken in the school that the students attend.
Most students that are going in to ninth grade are still children in mind. For this reason, I think students should be in a class room with teacher to have face to face interaction, to help them in the specific area that they have chosen is hard for them. Continue Reading →
Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson says Florida schools spend just 1 percent of "instruction time" on the FCAT. PolitiFact says 'false."
Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson has defended the state’s standardized testing regimen by arguing the state spends just 1 percent of “instructional time” on the exams.
Much of the ruling hinges on the phrase “instructional time.”
The state Department of Education analysis Robinson based his statement upon counted only time taking the test. But PoltiFact argues that time spent prepping students for the test should be considered “instructional time.”
David Cardenas Rios (right) and Tony Delgado dressed as Super heroes during Breakthrough Miami's spirit week at the Ransom Everglades school campus.
For today’s installment in our series, The Secret Lives of Students, we hear how one student would improve class learning.
Editor’s note: This post was written by middle school student David Cardenas.
By David Cardenas, 13
School lunches are an interesting topic. Many people think that school lunches are not so great and they’re right. The majority of students are used to having bad school lunches, so we as students don’t think that telling other students, teachers, and adults won’t make such a big difference if anything.
But I’m not like other students, I fortunately have a great and healthy family and group of friends that are looking out for me. They taught me to stand up for what I believe in.
And so, I think that these school lunches are not adequate.
The government is giving so many ideas to provide healthcare and insurance for today’s generation, but the government is not worrying enough about its next generation. Continue Reading →
Algebra is the foundation for most higher math, including trigonometry and calculus. And the application of advanced math helps explain physics, geometry, biology and how the world works in general.
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