School leaders across the country are sounding the alarm on looming budget cuts. The pandemic has led to a national fiscal crisis predicted to be worse than the Great Recession. In 2010, Congress responded with nearly $115 billion in state stimulus money to stabilize education funding. To date, Congress has only earmarked $16 billion to…
The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27th, gave an unprecedented $2 trillion economic relief to individuals, businesses, and states. $30.75 billion of that money went to the Education Stabilization Fund to assist early learning, K-12, and post-secondary institutions and students deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Department of Education will distribute those…
Although the Florida Department of Education released specific details about testing and other waivers, it was still unclear whether the Class of 2020 would receive a diploma if they lacked certain graduation requirements. Florida requires Algebra I and the 10th grade FSA in order to graduate. Seniors who lack these scores usually have additional time…
The Florida Department of Education issued additional guidance to their March 17th press conference. In addition to closing school campuses through April 15th and moving to distance learning for students, they have eliminated certain restrictions on funding. In addition, all state college campuses are closed for the remainder of the spring semester. School Districts…
Governor DeSantis canceled state testing and school grading for the 2019-2020 school year. Schools will remain closed through April 15th. From WCTV- Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in a press conference Tuesday afternoon that all remaining state testing for school readiness, voluntary Pre-K and K-12 will be canceled for the 2019-2020 school year. Requirements for graduation, grade promotion…
Ora Tanner graciously agreed to share her latest blog post with us about a convening of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. Ora became involved in the Alliance early this year when she participated in the Community Legislative Priorities Summit. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida…
State lawmakers, back home in their districts, tout the increase in education funding in the 2019-2020 budget that took effect July 1st. However, a closer look reveals that politicians shortchanged Florida’s students, educators, and their public schools once again. The Florida Policy Institute’s Holly Bullard argues that something called the Base Student Allocation number is…
On Friday, the Florida Department of Education released FSA scores to school districts and parents. This single standardized test determines advancement to the next grade, graduation eligibility, teacher pay, school grades and funding. For many, this is a time for celebration- for others, a time for concern. Regardless, it must be a time of reflection…
