Lawsuits. A lawsuit seeking sweeping changes to Florida's education system widens to include school choice programs. redefinED. Orlando Sentinel.

Graduation. The entire graduating class at a Lakewood Ranch private school is bound for college. Bradenton Herald. Career center graduates celebrate hard-won diplomas. Tampa Bay Times. A terminally ill dad gets to see his son graduate high school. Tampa Tribune.

Legislation. Pinellas County school district officials sound off on this year's legislative session, including school choice bills. Tampa Tribune.

Charter schools. The Lake Wales municipal charter system eyes expansion at one of its campuses. Lakeland Ledger.

Magnet schools. A Polk County magnet school helps provide a reading-friendly environment. Lakeland Ledger.

Common Core. Jeb Bush faces criticism for promoting the standards. Tampa Bay Times. (more…)

Florida's virtual education system could see more funding changes under one of the competing spending plans proposed by lawmakers.

Sen. Bill Galvano

The House and Senate last week released rival budget proposals that would increase funding for K-12 public schools.

The Senate plan would alter the way Florida funds its virtual education programs, including Florida Virtual School, FLVS's local school district-run franchises, and the state's virtual charter schools.

The plan released this week by Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, would do away with the virtual education contribution, a $27 million slice of the education budget that pads funding for virtual schools.

Instead, it would allow virtual schools to receive portions of state funding that have not been available to them in the past.

Galvano said the proposed revamp of the funding formula is intended to push virtual schools to offer more courses that lead to college credit or industry certifications.

The virtual education contribution supplants some of the funding streams that flow to brick-and-mortar schools, including the extra funding that gets attached to students in Advanced Placement and career education courses. It is intended to keep virtual school funding at about $5,200 per full-time student.

Without the virtual education contribution, per-student funding for many courses could fall below that amount. But funding could increase for courses that carry extra weight in the state's funding formula - such as AP and career education courses - which Galvano said is part of his goal. (more…)