Bathroom access: The Florida ACLU files a sex discrimination complaint against the Marion County School District after it suspended a transgender student for his bathroom choice. The student, born female but identifying as a male, used the boys bathroom after the district passed a rule restricting students to using the bathrooms of their birth sex only. Ocala Star Banner. Politico Florida. Florida Politics. The Obama administration is telling all U.S. school districts to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity or face lawsuits or a loss of federal aid. New York Times.

Playoff changes: The Florida High School Athletic Association wants to change the high school football playoffs for the 2017 season. Instead of playing in district, schools could play anyone they wanted to, with points awarded for strength of schedule. The top point-gatherers in each region would earn playoff spots. The FHSAA hopes to have a decision by the fall. Miami Herald.

Girls football game: Plans for the Powder Puff tackle football game between Jupiter High School seniors and junior girls are proceeding, now that the town of Jupiter has agreed to rent the high school stadium for the event. The tentative game date is May 27. The game had been canceled by school officials, who cited safety concerns. But the players and others at the high school persisted, and the town stepped in to assume some responsibility in the school's place. Palm Beach Post.

Early education: One-third of all children in Escambia County are unprepared for kindergarten, and most of them live in poverty, speakers tell attendees at the fourth annual Early Education Summit in Pensacola. Pensacola News Journal. (more…)

Finish-the-year pay: The Orange County School District reaches an agreement with 111 retiring teachers to work through the end of the school year. The teachers will be paid their current rate for the days beyond their retirement date, which is six days before the end of the school year. Orlando Sentinel.

Charter school query: The St. Johns County School District is investigating “allegations of irregularities” in First Coast Technical College’s administrative and reporting practices. FCTC is a charter school. An employee is alleging that FCTC, a charter school, encourages students to do poorly on the Tests Of Adult Basic Education so they could be eligible for a scholarship. St. Augustine Record.

Graduation rate dips: The Lake County School District says it has to improve its graduation rate, which has fallen about three percentage points in two years and is now below the state average of 75.8 percent. School officials say data entry mistakes and a loss of interest by students are contributing factors. Daily Commercial.

District goals: The Indian River County School District received an A grade from the state, but it still needs improvement in student discipline, elementary reading proficiency and fifth-grade English, Superintendent Mark Rendell says in his state of the district speech. TCPalm. (more…)