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FL will have access to $4.7-billion in federal dollars for schools to help recover from COVID-19 pandemic
Last week, the Biden administration announced that billions would be going to the 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to help reopen schools. The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act. In that announcement, Florida would receive more than $7 billion for efforts to reopen schools safely and help recover from the […]
Despite a state goal, most FL school districts haven’t reached the mark of $47,500 teacher starting pay
At the far end of the Florida Panhandle, the Escambia County School District recently finished negotiations with their teacher union over salaries. Gov. Ron DeSantis last year had signed a half-billion-dollar initiative with the goal of increasing starting salaries to at least $47,500 for Florida teachers. But Escambia Education Association President Darzell Warren knew not […]
DeSantis allows age 50 and older to get vaccines starting Monday; Orange County launching 40 and older, going against the governor
Though Gov. Ron DeSantis had been floating as low as age 55 and older for residents who want vaccines, the governor Friday morning pushed the age group down to age 50 and older, expanding who can get vaccines in Florida. “I think the demand has softened enough that we can open it up (for age […]
FL already reopened schools but can still get more than 7 billion from the feds for COVID relief
Florida will get a big cut from the 122 billion pot of COVID-relief money for K-12 schools, as part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. The money will begin to flow this month, with Florida getting more than 7 billion, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education. California will get […]
FSU on the lookout for new president; Ed Commissioner, other big FL names are being floated
As Florida State University works to find a successor for President John Thrasher, some names are already floating about as potential candidates. Some have strong ties to Florida government but little on-the-ground experience in the education field. Others are within the Florida State University sphere and already have campus experience. One name that sticks out […]
Gov. DeSantis has found a new culture-war enemy: ‘critical race theory’
Gov. Ron DeSantis played another culture-war card Wednesday, vowing to expel from Florida’s public schools any study of “critical race theory,” which examines the way race has shaped American society and institutions, which he denounced as “ideological or faddish.” The remarks by the governor, who’s two years from seeking reelection and perhaps four from a […]
Despite COVID-19, FL Education Commissioner hopes schools can be ‘back to normal’ in the fall
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said Wednesday that he hopes for a return to normalcy for schools in the fall. Does that mean all kids will be in traditional schools in 2021-22? There wasn’t an answer at the mid-March meeting of Florida’s Board of Education. Corcoran and board members tried to project what the school […]
Billions for private schools in U.S. COVID relief bill divides teacher unions; FL union can live with it
Last Thursday, the Biden administration signed the American Rescue Act into law, providing $1.9 trillion to state and local governments to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an analysis from the Learning Policy Institute, the package allots $170.3 billion for education, including 125.4 billion for public K-12 education programs. A report from The […]
Anniversary of last ‘normal’ school day; FL educators, parents reflect on a ‘rough and rocky year’
On March 13, 2020, students, teachers and staff left for what they expected to be an extended spring break as the then-novel coronavirus made its way into the United States. But they didn’t return. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on April 18, 2020 that school campuses would remain closed for the remaining 2019-20 school year, as […]
Most states allow teachers of all ages to get vaccinated, but not Florida
As more COVID vaccines become available throughout the nation, most states allow educators of all ages to get the shots. But Florida is not yet one of them, according to Education Week. Just six states don’t allow teachers of all ages to be eligible for the COVID vaccines, according to Education Week’s data tracker. Four […]
DeSantis’ new, somewhat vague timeline for COVID vaccine: 60 and older, 55 and older, general public
COVID vaccines may open to the general public in Florida once residents 55 and older have gotten the shots, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Wednesday press conference. Currently, the priorities are focused on people aged 65 and up. Starting Monday, Floridians aged 60 and older will be eligible for the COVID vaccines, DeSantis announced earlier […]
Young climate change advocates bring art to the FL Capitol, hoping to get attention from lawmakers
Several young advocates gathered outside of the Florida Capitol with boxes full of cardboard tiles Wednesday morning. Each tile was painted by a Floridian, showing his or her concerns about the impending effects of climate change. Our Climate, a coalition of young advocates, collected the art pieces to display them at the Capitol Building. “The […]