The chairman of the Senate education committee has introduced a bill postponing the next generation of standardized tests until Florida schools prove they have technology and broadband capable of handling the computerized tests. Sen. John Legg’s bill, S.B. 1630, would require school and district information technology systems “be load tested and independently verified as appropriate, […]

Students in math classes taught by the state’s highest-rated teachers made 19 percent more progress than the average student. For students taught by the highest-rated reading teachers, student scores improved 8 percent more than the average student. Students of the lowest-rated reading teacher’s made 36 percent less progress than the average student. While students of […]

For the first time, a majority of experts surveyed by a Washington D.C.-based education consulting are concerned about the progress Florida and 21 other states are making developing the next generation of standardized test. A majority of “political and policy insiders” Whiteboard Advisors surveyed said the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers […]

The cost and technology are the most obvious problems facing Florida schools as they try to implement new, tougher education standards and computerized testing. But Education Commissioner Tony Bennett told the State Board of Education politics are about to become an issue as well. The standards, known as Common Core State Standards, have been fully […]

Florida lawmakers are considering allowing the state education commissioner to partially delay implementation of new, tougher education standards and testing. Senate education committee chairman John Legg, R-Port Richey, says Education Commissioner Tony Bennett has asked for 120 days to survey Florida school districts as to whether they can meet the fall 2014 deadline for new […]

The State Board of Education convenes this morning in Orlando with a busy agenda. You can watch live here. Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $22 billion education budget will be among the biggest draws. The recommended budget includes a boost in teacher salaries and classroom supplies, money for digital instruction materials, and funds for districts to […]

Gov. Rick Scott filled three slots on the State Board of Education Thursday, reappointing John Padget of Key West and appointing Ada Armas of Coral Gables and John Colon of University Park. Colon, an executive with Wells Fargo Advisers, replaces Akshay “A.K.” Desai, who resigned from the board. Desai is a major Republican Party fundraiser, […]

The percentage of Floridians earning college degrees is not increasing fast enough to keep pace with the job market, according to the head of a foundation working to boost higher education graduates. That’s what Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, told the Economic Club of Florida last week. “It’s an urgent need,” Merisotis […]

A Florida House panel heard an update today on teacher evaluations and the state’s implementation of the Student Success Act, also known as Senate Bill 736. The Florida Legislature passed the law in 2011 that changes the way teachers are evaluated and paid in an effort to improve student learning in K-12. The law is […]

It’s New Year’s Eve and we’re taking a look back at our stories from 2012. Here’s a wrap-up of the best, most interesting or notable stories from StateImpact Florida. More to come in 2013. State investigating K12 — In September we told you the Florida Department of Education was investigating K12, Inc., the nation’s largest […]