Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonJune 25, 2018

A Tampa man says a campaign consultant working with School Board member Susan Valdes, now a candidate for House District 62, threatened to get him fired and booted out of the Democratic Party for posting a video of Valdes on Facebook. The 5-minute video, recorded during a Saturday meeting of the Hillsborough Hispanic Democratic Caucus, […]

Guest AuthorJune 22, 2018

As an educator who has taught in both district-run and charter public schools, I am astounded when I read articles or hear claims from school board members around the state charter schools take away funding from the local public-school system. That is not the case. Charter schools provide options for families who can’t afford to […]

Drew WilsonMay 4, 2018

Public education will only improve when people buy in, Step Up for Students President Doug Tuthill said Thursday at the Florida Chamber of Commerce Summit on Prosperity & Economic Opportunity. “I’m going to start with the good news: public education today is in the best shape that it’s ever been in,” Tuthill said, citing the […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 4, 2018

This week I asked to join litigation against the Palm Beach County School Board. As a working mother of two young sons, this is not a battle I wanted to fight. But I have little choice. The school board is mistreating charter school students, including my younger son. Board members have filed a lawsuit against […]

Jim RosicaDecember 26, 2017

Spoiler alert: If you’re a regular of this site, and reading this story, you can guess what the #1 pick is. Otherwise, 2017 still offered a bounty of material to Tallahassee’s reporting ranks. We still chuckle at the uninitiated who ask, “What do you write about when the Legislature isn’t in session?” Without further ado, […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2017

A debate on traditional public schools vs. charter schools took front and center Friday at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. For 68 minutes, a group of education leaders of various backgrounds discussed the issue at the Ferguson Law Center. Speaking out most prominently for charters was Doug Tuthill, the president of Step Up For Students, the nonprofit group […]

Guest AuthorOctober 18, 2017

Science, psychology, and innovative research have proven that children possess different learning abilities, skills and interests. To make the most of these unique ways of learning, students need educational options that meet their particular scholastic needs and broaden their interest in education. The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, administered by Step Up for Students, provides […]

Scott PowersAugust 10, 2017

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham pledged Thursday to a number of educators and parents concerned about public education that she would make public education her top priority. While meeting with a roundtable of teachers, former teachers, public education advocates, and parents in an Orlando restaurant Thursday, Graham blasted Republican efforts to promote charter schools, which […]

Associated PressAugust 10, 2017

More and more Florida school districts are joining a looming legal fight over a new law that steers money to privately run charter schools. The Miami Herald reports the Miami-Dade School Board voted unanimously Wednesday to join a proposed lawsuit to block the sweeping legislation pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran. Miami-Dade is now one […]

Scott PowersJune 21, 2017

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Interparty, cross-house fighting over the controversial education omnibus bill House Bill 7069 is not yet over, nor are efforts to stop provisions that could spell death sentences to underperforming public schools, Republican state Sen. Dave Simmons vowed Wednesday. And the bill might face a legal challenge led by state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Parkland Republican […]

Tag: charter schools

Susan Valdes campaign threatens man for posting video

Marsha Edwards: District, charter teachers all in this together

Doug Tuthill: Education improves with a sense of ownership

Marleny Olivo: Palm Beach School Board should stop attacking charter school students

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories of 2017

Tampa Tiger Bay Club debates charter schools

Robert McClure: Support the Tax Credit Scholarship to protect Florida’s families

Gwen Graham pledges public education as her priority, blasts Richard Corcoran

Florida school districts join fight against new school law

David Simmons: We’re not done yet with HB 7069