Funding needed for students, teachers
Teacher salaries have been in the spotlight after years of chronic under funding of public schools. Many Florida school districts have struggled to negotiate contracts with their teachers. Districts across…
Florida’s school grading system rests on shoulders of children
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…
Bill to arm teachers passes another committee
There is only one more stop for a major bill that allows classroom teachers to carry guns while teaching. Senate Bill 7030 expands the so-called Guardian Bill passed last year…
Florida House, Senate far apart on education budget
The Republican-led Florida House and Senate released competing budget proposals on Friday. The budgets differ from each other and also differ in many ways from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposals. The…
Florida’s public schools deserve support
by Betty Castor, published by the Tampa Bay Times Betty Castor, former teacher, Hillsborough County commissioner and state senator, served as Florida’s commissioner of education and later as president of…
Arizona voucher opponents’ win- a model for Florida?
Florida school voucher proponents overwhelmingly won their elections in November. Avid supporters like Governor-elect DeSantis, likely Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran and leadership in the Florida Legislature are poised to…
School referendum to appear on November 6th ballot
At the August 24th school board meeting, Hillsborough School Board members decided to ask voters to approve a half-cent, 10-year local sales tax increase on the November 6th ballot. The…
Florida Supreme Court strikes Amendment 8 from the ballot
This afternoon, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the controversial proposed constitutional Amendment 8 should remain off of the November ballot. They agreed with the lower court that the summary…
School board races decided by only a few voters
School board races decided by a few voters It turns out that the people who represent us and our children on the school board earned their seats thanks to just…
DeVos considers allowing federal funds for guns in schools
According to the Washington Post, sources inside the U.S. Department of Education say Secretary Betsy DeVos is considering allowing federal funds to buy guns for schools. Two people said the…