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Effective Schools: Taking the Bull by the Horns in Volusia County
Pat Drago (who is a former Volusia County school district administrator) and I had a conversation about how public schools improve. She had an example from Volusia County. This was an at risk school population where nothing the district had tried seemed to work. As we talked, she mentioned a friend who was a long time principal who told her that there was one thing that made the greatest difference for her. What was it?
Charter School Culture: Ties that Bind
Some personal ties are just too close when they should not be; they can lead to tragedy.
Charter board members are supposed to be watch dogs for the public interest. It does not always happen. Children can be hurt, so can adults.
Florida Testing Bill Signed into Law
The Florida legislature passed the testing bill HB 7069 and Governor Scott signed it today. There is more in the bill than just the reduction of the testing requirement to no more than 5% of the total number of school days. Annual statewide testing remains.
I copied the staff analysis of the bill. It requires an independent review of the Florida Standards Assessment, and the ‘A-F’ school grading system or student results will not be reported until after the study is completed. The change in the reading requirement for promotion to 4th grade made it into law.
More Local Property Taxes to Charters? Say No!
There is a snake in the grass in the Florida legislature. We need to point it out to our local delegations before it bites us. This is the amendment to the House charter bill HB 7037. It was offered by Rep. Erik Fresen who is under investigation by the U.S. DOE for conflict of interest related to his real estate company and the Mater Charter Schools. We need to contact everyone we can; the legislative session is nearly over, and we do not want this to appear on the last day.
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- League Members visit the office of Senator Marco Rubio
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- League Members wait to see Senator Bill Nelson
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- Education Team at the Department of Education