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HB 7029: School Choice Districts Created with Less Local Control

Posted on January 10, 2016December 31, 2018 by Sue Legg

Legal frameworks for charter districts plus the creation of the Florida Charter School Institute, move Florida toward a separate educational system from the traditional public school system.

This bill creates the Institute for Charter School Innovation, Charter School Collaborative Networks, High Impact Charter Networks and some greater transparency in the backgrounds of charter school service providers.

The Charter High Impact Charter Network is a structure similar to those in other states that are called takeover districts in low income areas whose public schools are turned into charters. These take over districts have been the source of significant community resistance and have a poor academic track record. The bill is sponsored by Representative Bob Cortes from Seminole and Orange Counties. HB 7029 School Choice will be heard in the House Education Appropriation Committee on Monday.

Major components of the bill are listed below. The provisions to revise the calculation of full time equivalence for online learning and credit for End of Course exams are in the bill but not included in this summary.

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Last Minute Bills Filed in Florida Legislature

Posted on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 by Sue Legg

Testing, school grades, and funding bills were filed at the last minute. Some bills may have an impact. Will alternative tests, revised school grade formulas and changes (not increases) in funding improve Florida’s education system?

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LWV Florida asks: We Have The Standards: Now What?

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 by Sue Legg

The Florida League of Women Voters press release today argues that the State Board of Education is asking the wrong questions. The SBE argued about how many students and schools to fail. Shouldn’t they be asking how to make them more successful?

The press release was sent out across the state. Pass it on to all concerned parents, educators and business leaders. Forward it to your legislative delegations.

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State Board of Education Sets FSA Cut Scores

Posted on January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 by Sue Legg

In spite of arguments by some State Board of Education (SBE) members and the Jeb Bush Florida Foundation for Excellence in Education to raise the FSA passing standards, the Florida State Board of Education passed the lower cutoff scores proposed by Commission Pam Stewart.