HELPING HOMEOWNERS: Stetson Law student David Fernandez, who's translating Florida statutes into Spanish as a project, helps some Hispanic Spanish-speaking homeowners understand their rights. (Times photo, Melissa Lyttle)
INVEST IN EDUCATION: The United States needs to put more money into schooling to keep the nation [...]
SHORT-CHANGED: When Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith talked to Pasco educators about the importance of funding, he notably didn't say anything about adequate funding, columnist C.T. Bowen writes.
MAKE IT RIGHT: St. Petersburg College needs to end the practice of overcharging students for books,' [...]
Florida's education system faces dilemmas as it tries to cope with funding declines, meet new federal requirements and reform some of its practices amid demands and expectations from all sides. Education commissioner Eric J. Smith talked with reporter Jeff Solochek about the current state of affairs.
The [...]
DROP IN: Florida's graduation rate rises to historic highs, while its dropout rate shrinks. Pasco High exemplifies some of the changes, seeing its graduation rate move from among the county's lowest to the county's best. (Times file photo)
Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith and K-12 chancellor Frances Haithcock positively effused over Pasco schools during a Thursday visit to Oakstead Elementary and Sunlake High.
They listened to students, parents and educators talk about how they're implementing Response to Intervention strategies and learned that some' [...]
KIDS TEACHING KIDS: Students in Hillsborough High's Urban Teaching Academy take over their first classrooms to see what it's really like to be an educator. (Times photo, Stephen J. Coddington)
IN THE TRENCHES: Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith visits Pasco schools to get a first-hand [...]
The US Department of Education may have removed funding for the creation of end-of-course exams from the Race to the Top, but that doesn't mean Florida isn't trying to get some federal cash for its future testing plans.
Speaking to Pasco County educators today, Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith said [...]
NEXT TIME, BE CAREFUL: As St. Petersburg College trustees ponder outgoing president Carl Kuttler's large financial demands, perhaps they should learn a lesson about how to set up the next president's contract, columnist Howard Troxler writes. (Image from life123.com)
CHOOSING CHARTERS: A Hillsborough charter review [...]
WASTED FUNDS? Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano wants to cut state support to a USF transportation think tank.
HONORED: Former governor Jeb Bush's education foundation recognizes 81 Florida teachers for their success with student performance on the FCAT over three years.
WHO TO HIRE? The Manatee School [...]
OVERCHARGED: The former manager of St. Petersburg College's Clearwater campus book store claims the store's owner systematically overcharged SPC students, an accusation the college and the company deny. (Times photo, Douglas Clifford)
FINISHING UP: The University of South Florida aims to improve its six-year graduation [...]
TAKE A HIKE: More than 40 children trek from their neighborhood to nearby Trinity Elementary in Pasco as part of a walking school bus. It gets them some exercise, while also easing school traffic. (Times photo, Keri Wiginton)
DO THE RIGHT THING: Across the nation (starting [...]
MENDING FENCES: Florida university system chancellor Frank Brogan looks to improve the system's relationship with lawmakers.
HE REALLY WANTS IT: Outgoing St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker gets friends to mount a letter-writing campaign in support of his candidacy to lead St. Petersburg College.
GETTING TO KNOW [...]
THANKS: Children at Pine Grove Elementary in Brooksville remind their parents and teachers what they're thankful for. (Times photo, Will Vragovic)
STILL SEWING: Fox Chapel Middle School in Hernando keeps its home ec classes alive thanks to donated sewing machines.
WRONG TARGET: The latest lawsuit against' [...]
TURKEY TIME: Prekindergartners at Anclote Elementary in Pasco make apple turkeys for Thanksgiving, learning some key basic lessons along the way. (Times photo, Brendan Fitterer)
APPROVED: United School Employees of Pasco ratify their 2009-10 contract with one-time bonuses.
TOP OF THE CLASS: At Gulf Highlands [...]
EARLY START: Palm Beach schools will take advantage of their high-performing status to begin classes a week earlier than otherwise allowed in 2010-11, the Sun-Sentinel reports. (Image from bubblecalendar.com)
FORGET IT: Angry Brevard parents say they'll never accept the district's plans to rezone their' [...]
SCHOOL ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION: Parents charge the high-performing Sanibel School in Lee of turning away low-performing students, the Naples Daily News reports.
CLASS-SIZE THOUGHTS: Brevard schools find compliance with Florida's class-size amendment vexing and look for alternatives, Florida Today reports. • The Florida Senate is [...]
'WE ARE HUDSON': Hudson High in Pasco has endured its share of detractors, but the school's reality differs quite a bit from the rumors. (Times photo, Keri Wiginton)
A SECOND CHANCE? Hernando should offer teacher Michael Provost another opportunity to teach at the STAR Center, [...]
WHO SAYS CAREER ACADEMIES ARE NEW? The Veterinary Sciences Academy at Tarpon Springs High has been around since 1995, this year serving 220 students. (Times photo, Demorris Lee)
CONGRATS: Parrott Middle School ESE paraprofessional Yvette Hart is Hernando's school-related employee of the year.
FREE DEGREE: UF [...]
IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY: Hillsborough celebrates winning a $100 million grant to reform teacher evaluations, pay, preparation and other aspects of the job from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (Times photo, Edmund Fountain)
SPEAKING OF TEACHER QUALITY: Someone has to prepare them, and the Florida Department of [...]
Florida's application for a share of the $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top fund could become a $1 billion request, Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith told reporters in a conference call yesterday. Federal guidelines say big states like Florida should aim for changes in the $350 million to $700 range, but' [...]
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? Gator hunters, soldiers, financial planners and a host of professionals talk to students all around the Tampa area for the Great American Teach-In. More story, plus a photo gallery. (Times photo, Atoyia Deans)
GETTING DAD INVOLVED: Brooker Elementary [...]
Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith, a defendant in the education lawsuit filed this morning, tonight issued this statement in response:
“It’s unfortunate that this lawsuit diminishes the significant progress that has been made by our children over the last decade and simply ignores the performance of a state that [...]
FINANCING FAILURE: Several Florida families, backed by a phalanx of lawyers, plan to sue the state over its failure to adequately fund a high-quality public education system as required by the state Constitution. (Image from mylegaladvance.com)
GOING FOR IT: The Hillsborough School Board unanimously backs [...]
SMALL VICTORY: Hernando teachers reach a tentative deal on health benefits with the district.
TALKING CLIMATE CHANGE: USF will host a workshop to discuss how to prepare Tampa for rising waters.
POOR PUNISHMENT: A Miami-Dade teacher who's considered one of the best faces a lengthy suspension [...]
GOOD, AND BAD: Hillsborough teacher Todd Setter gets glowing reviews for his teaching, but sometimes finds himself in trouble for his behavior. He remains in his classroom, with hopes he won't repeat the bad. (Photo from buddhism101.blogspot.com)
FULL UP: Palm Beach Community College is
FOR THE LOVE OF READING: Students in River Ridge High's musical theater class create a musical to encourage elementary children to read. (Times photo, Brendan Fitterer)
ANOTHER ACCUSATION: The family of another Walker Middle School student claims their child was repeatedly molested at the school.
ZONING [...]
OOPS: Thousands of Pinellas parents and school district employees receive two automated messages from the school district that weren't intended for them.
THAT'S HIS CHOICE: A Hernando teacher who was nearly fired for his off-campus drug use complains about his new teaching assignment.
HELPING HAND: Stetson [...]
THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER: In Pasco, even the affluent schools see spikes in the numbers of students qualifying for free and reduced price meals.
CONTAMINATED: Two Hillsborough schools have elevated arsenic and mercury levels in their soil.
GROWING NEED: The number of children qualifying for free and reduced-price meals grows in Tampa Bay schools. (Times photo, Douglas R. Clifford)
GOING HIGH TECH: USF considers building a state-of-the-art medical training complex in the Heights area of Tampa.
STOP THE BULLIES: Pinellas offers classes for [...]
