A business advocacy group is running television ads that say Florida might have to cut education funding if the state expands Medicaid health coverage. The National Federation of Independent Business has also set up a website — FloridaCanDoBetter.com. “Washington promises to pay the billions in new costs. But with these endless federal deficits can we […]
Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford isn’t shy about pushing his non-traditional agenda for public education. It’s based on his own life experience. He’s in favor of options that are growing in popularity, like virtual classes and charter schools. StateImpact reporter Gina Jordan sat down with Weatherford in his office to talk about his educational roots. […]
Florida House and Senate leaders have set aside less money for education in their initial budget outlines than did Gov. Rick Scott. Both House and Senate leaders have expressed doubts about Scott’s $480 million plan to give teachers a $2,500 across-the-board raise. Scott’s budget would have spent $14.3 billion on education. House Appropriations education committee […]
Pasco County media specialists are rallying Tuesday to oppose a proposal that would restructure their job duties and shift many from library and technology support roles to the classroom. Pasco County schools superintendent Kurt Browning says his budget plan would eliminate 100 media specialists, literacy coaches and other support staff, saving $8 million. The media […]
Five military bases are located within Senate President Don Gaetz’ Northwest Florida district. Thousands of workers earn their pay at those bases, or from affiliated aerospace and defense companies nearby. Because President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders failed to reach a compromise to avoid automatic cuts to military spending, Gaetz said, that leaves those workers […]
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill which would change the way the state calculates class size limits required by the state constitution. Lawmakers may allow district schools to use the more flexible rules granted to charter schools. District schools must calculate the class size of every classroom and count every violation. Charter schools are allowed […]
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 […]
The Lumina Foundation is committed to enrolling and graduating more students from college. CEO Jamie Merisotis takes that message around the country. Last week, he spoke to the Economic Club of Florida. The foundation’s goal is for 60 percent of Americans to earn a high-quality post secondary credential or degree by 2025. Merisotis took questions […]
FETC, one of the nation’s largest education technology conferences, opens in Orlando this week. StateImpact Florida will take a look at how state schools are trying to meet requirements to integrate more technology in lessons. _______ Facing a 2015 deadline to add more digital textbooks and materials to classroom instruction, Orange County schools chief operations officer […]
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