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How a drop in test takers during COVID could impact statewide 3rd grade reading scores in districts
In a tough testing season during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands fewer 3rd graders took a crucial statewide reading exam compared to prior years. In fact, the number of test takers in public schools dropped by 18,398 kids in 67 districts, compared to 3rd graders who took the state reading exam in 2019. That’s a decline […]
Confusion over civics: What’s in the new civics literacy exam? What happens if students don’t pass?
Back in December of 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis directed Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to establish a civics exam based on the citizenship test given to people who want to become naturalized U.S. citizens, with all Florida high school seniors required to take the test. But a year and a half later it’s not clear what […]
Traumatizing practice of seclusion will soon be prohibited in FL school districts
Florida schools districts will soon be prohibited from using seclusion and isolation techniques on students — a traumatizing experience particularly for students with disabilities. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation into law this week to ban the techniques, starting July 1. The measure prohibits school personnel from using seclusion, defined by the legislation as “involuntary confinement […]
Crucial third grade reading scores dropped while schools and districts struggled in the pandemic
On the Gulf Coast in North Florida, Sharon Hathcock, the director of instruction for Taylor County schools, saw some troubling numbers. Her kids’ third grade reading scores from state exams had plummeted during the COVID pandemic. Only 39 percent of 3rd graders met the target for passing the state test in the spring of 2021, […]
College campuses now required to conduct annual surveys to measure “intellectual diversity”
Under the auspices of intellectual freedom, Florida’s universities and community colleges will be required to do an annual survey to ensure diverse views on campuses, including conservative opinions. At issue is that some lawmakers believe that colleges and universities are liberal bastions and conservative voices have been suppressed on campuses. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB […]
Florida 11th graders could take a free college entrance exam starting next school year if the state covers the cost
Florida 11th graders could take a national college entrance exam — either ACT or SAT — for free starting in the 2021-22 school year, if Gov. Ron DeSantis approves the legislation. The Florida Legislature approved the effort in a bill this spring, and lawmakers recently sent the bill to DeSantis’ desk for consideration. The bill […]
Where the lines are drawn: New state rule could threaten FL teachers’ academic freedom in history, civics
Nowadays, 7th grade civics teacher Robin Porter is not sure where the lines are drawn when it comes to teaching the past and the present. What is forbidden and what isn’t? Academic freedom has been a cornerstone in Florida classrooms, but a new rule imposed recently by the State Board of Education limits what materials […]
A national memorial to honor lives lost at the Pulse nightclub
Days following the five-year anniversary of the Pulse shooting, where 49 people were killed and 53 wounded, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed legislation Wednesday to designate the National Pulse Memorial, located at 1912 South Orange Avenue in Orlando. The legislation will be sent to Joe Biden for approval. Pelosi referred to the bill signing […]
Gov. DeSantis says new moment-of-silence law in public schools protects religious freedom
During the spring legislative session, proponents generally took a secular approach to at least a minute of silence daily in public schools, saying the effort would give kids a chance to reflect on themselves without distractions. But Monday, the conversation shifted to “religious freedom” as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the moment-of-silence bill into law at […]
National rallies from educators planned Saturday, pledging to “teach the truth” about systemic racism
Educators across the nation will pledge to “Teach the Truth” in a national effort to combat legislative and policy moves to restrict how the impact of slavery on American history and civics is taught in classrooms. Dozens of local rallies, demonstrations and events throughout the U.S. will take place Saturday, June 12, as part of […]
State Board of Education approves rules allowing college athletes to earn money off of their own images
Florida is one of five states to allow college athletes to receive compensation for their name, image and likeness through legislative efforts. Now, Florida’s State Board of Education has approved a set of rules to implement the changes, for the first time allowing college athletes to receive money for their names, images and likenesses. Shortened […]
“Let teachers teach”: Heavy pushback on rule forbidding Critical Race Theory, indoctrinating students
With controversy continuing over what students should learn about the past, Florida’s Board of Education meeting was interrupted Thursday when a man giving public comment started a chant while at the podium: “Let teachers teach,” chanted Ben Frazier with the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville. As other advocates joined in the chant, the meeting stopped. Frazier […]