How Florida Reacted To Education Commissioner’s Resignation
Gerard Robinson announced he would step down from his post on August 31.
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July 31, 2012
Florida Education Commissioner Submits Resignation
Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson will resign his position on August 31, the Department of Education announced this evening. Robinson became Florida’s top education official about a year ago. He has faced growing criticism from school boards, teachers and parents about the state’s standardized testing regimen and school grading system. Board of Education chairman Kathleen […]
Schools Spend 1 Percent Of Instructional Time On FCAT? ‘False’ Says PolitiFact
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. But a new PolitiFact analysis rates Robinson’s claim “false.” Much of the ruling hinges on the phrase “instructional time.” The state Department of Education analysis Robinson based his statement upon […]
July 27, 2012
Panel Recommends Lowering Passing Score For FCAT Writing, But Will Education Commissioner Agree?
A team of educators and community leaders gathered this week to set standards for FCAT 2.0 writing. The panel went through a lot of data before settling on a school grade writing performance level of 3.5. That means students would need to score 3.5 out of a possible 6 to pass. The recommendation would lower […]
Panel Recommends Lowering Passing Score For FCAT Writing, But Will Education Commissioner Agree?
A team of educators and community leaders gathered this week to set standards for FCAT 2.0 writing. The panel went through a lot of data before settling on a school grade writing performance level of 3.5. That means students would need to score 3.5 out of a possible 6 to pass. The recommendation would lower […]
July 11, 2012
Five Questions About Florida’s 2012 School Grades
Florida released school grades for elementary and middle schools today, and as expected, grades were down across the board. (High school grades include more factors and will be released later.) Here’s five questions explaining the school grades, why the report card system changed and which districts have some good news to report. 1. So how […]
Five Questions About Florida’s 2012 School Grades
Florida released school grades for elementary and middle schools today, and as expected, grades were down across the board. (High school grades include more factors and will be released later.) Here’s five questions explaining the school grades, why the report card system changed and which districts have some good news to report. 1. So how […]
Facing Tougher Standards, Florida 2012 School Grades Drop
Fewer Florida schools earned an ‘A’ on the state’s annual report card, while more schools saw their grades drop to ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘F,’ according to state Department of Education data released this morning. Last year 58 percent of Florida elementary and middle schools earned a ‘A’ grade. This year the percentage fell to 43 […]
July 9, 2012
Governor Scott Says Florida Students Might Face Too Much Testing
Gov. Rick Scott says Florida students might be tested too much, and is talking to teachers and education officials about what changes should be made to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Scott’s made the comments Friday at a newspaper editor meeting, the Associated Press reported. Testing is important to measure quality, Scott said, but the […]
Governor Scott Says Florida Students Might Face Too Much Testing
Gov. Rick Scott says Florida students might be tested too much, and is talking to teachers and education officials about what changes should be made to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Scott’s made the comments Friday at a newspaper editor meeting, the Associated Press reported. Testing is important to measure quality, Scott said, but the […]
June 18, 2012
Florida Businesses Honored For Supporting Public Education
Florida’s public schools rely heavily on parents to provide supplies and help with fundraisers. It turns out businesses also have crucial roles to play in providing resources for schools. The 2012 Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards ceremony honored more than 70 Florida businesses and organizations last week in Tampa for their support of education. “Their pledge […]
Florida Businesses Honored For Supporting Public Education
Florida’s public schools rely heavily on parents to provide supplies and help with fundraisers. It turns out businesses also have crucial roles to play in providing resources for schools. The 2012 Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards ceremony honored more than 70 Florida businesses and organizations last week in Tampa for their support of education. “Their pledge […]
June 14, 2012
Florida School Board Members Say Education Commissioner Challenged Their Authority
Florida school board members say education commissioner Gerard Robinson issued a threat to local control during a lunchtime speech Thursday at the state association meeting in Tampa. Robinson told the Florida School Boards Association members they were free to oppose the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, but they were not free to ignore state law or […]
Florida School Board Members Say Education Commissioner Challenged Their Authority
Florida school board members say education commissioner Gerard Robinson issued a threat to local control during a lunchtime speech Thursday at the state association meeting in Tampa. Robinson told the Florida School Boards Association members they were free to oppose the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, but they were not free to ignore state law or […]
State Education Commissioner Says Anti-FCAT Resolutions Ignore Progress
Florida education commission Gerard Robinson says a Florida School Boards Association proposal objecting to the current use of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test does a disservice to students and ignores a decade of state school improvement. Robinson spoke to state superintendents and school board members gathered at a Tampa meeting Thursday. A Florida School Boards […]