Common Core. Gov. Rick Scott signs a suite of bills aimed at responding to the controversy around the standards, as well as a school grading overhaul. Associated Press. News Service of Florida. Reuters. Jeb Bush pushes back against Common Core critics – again– during an appearance in New York. The Buzz.
Charter schools. Dual enrollment programs at some Miami-Dade charter schools allow students to graduate high school with a more advanced degree already in hand. WLRN.
Virtual schools. Pasco eSchool teachers seek relief from large classes. Gradebook.
No Child Left Behind. Officials defend the learning goals in the state Department of Education’s strategic plan, which have come under fire from activists. Tampa Tribune. Sentinel School Zone.
Valedictorians. “With honors” and “with distinction” are set to replace the more exclusive honors once bestowed on Bay County high school graduates. Panama City News Herald.
Reading instruction. A shortage of books can be a limiting factor for students. Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Desegregation. StateImpact recalls its early days in Florida.
School safety. A state Representative who sponsored a bill that would have allowed certain school employees to carry guns said he intends to focus on adding resource officers at more campuses. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Arts. A private grant helps fund art, music and drama programs for low-income students. Sun-Sentinel. A high school band teacher joins students rallying to preserve a middle school program. Tampa Bay Times.
Transportation. Crowded bus rides to an International Baccalaureate campus are the latest flashpoint in the controversy over Hillsborough’s bus system. Tampa Bay Times.
Pay raises. Orange County teachers begin voting on a new contract. School Zone.