Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Les NeuhausMarch 30, 2017

A new bill would analyze career education standards and make suggestions to improve Florida’s job training programs, according to the lawmaker who proposed it Thursday. Rep. Al Jacquet, who sponsored HB 517, said it would create a new committee within the Department of Education to strengthen the state education system and help ensure Floridians would […]

Joe HendersonJanuary 18, 2017

Betsy DeVos, whose children never attended public schools, may soon lead the nation’s Department of Education. Assuming she is confirmed, care to take a guess what Florida public education will look like four years from now? Perhaps former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who is DeVos’ biggest cheerleader, can provide some insight. He wrote a stirring […]

Staff ReportsOctober 4, 2016

For the second consecutive year, the Florida Lottery is reporting record sales, posting $467 million in revenue for August. This all-time high was an increase of 5.29 percent over last year’s August record. Lottery officials say the games generated an estimated $120 million in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), driven “primarily by […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 13, 2016

Fewer than two out of every 10 Florida high school graduates qualify for a Bright Futures scholarship that helps pay their tuition and fees at state universities and colleges. New data, being reviewed by the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, shows the number may be improving, with an initial projection suggesting it could […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 25, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott said his administration is reviewing a federal directive to public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms matching their gender identity. “We’re reviewing this new mandate by the federal government,” said Scott. “We’re going to review it, looking at the safety of the citizens of the state.” Eleven states are suing […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 18, 2016

State Rep. Janet Adkins, a candidate for superintendent of Nassau County schools, has joined the chorus of Northeast Florida Republicans objecting to the Barack Obama administration’s assertion that transgender students should be able to use their “gender identity” to decide which bathroom they feel most comfortable using in public schools. “It is clear that the Obama […]

Associated PressApril 1, 2016

It was a question sure to come up at some point in the Republican primary campaign. “What should the law be on abortion?” asked MSNBC’s Chris Matthews to Donald Trump at a town hall event in Wisconsin. “Should the woman be punished for having an abortion?” Matthews pressed. “This is not something you can dodge.” […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 25, 2016

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Florida First Lady Ann Scott visited Tampa’s Strawberry Crest High School Monday as part of a Department of Education initiative to raise awareness for its literacy programs. “Strong reading skills set students up for success in the classroom and beyond, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help our state’s students foster an appreciation for literacy,” […]

Associated PressDecember 13, 2015

Less than a mile from the state Capitol, a former steakhouse shows little evidence that it was once part of a movement to change Florida’s schools. It was on this location nearly two decades ago that the leader of a prominent Tallahassee church put together one of the state’s first charter schools. The space where […]

Shannon NickinsonOctober 13, 2015

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have found that poor children benefited from the academic boost that the state voluntary prekindergarten program gave them. But the benefit didn’t last when they moved through elementary school. The researchers who conducted the five-year $6 million study had conclusions about why poor kids who got a boost from VPK didn’t […]

Tag: Department of Education

Legislation would improve career education standards

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos could mean more Florida charter schools, a lot more

Florida Lottery reports record August sales, second year in a row

Bright Futures renewals decline, scholarships could drop 20 percent

Rick Scott said state ‘clearly reviewing’ transgender bathroom directive

Janet Adkins wants Pam Bondi’s opinion on school bathroom issue

Donald Trump’s abortion flub shows risks of “winging it” on policy

Ann Scott kicks off annual Literacy Week, Florida! tour

State gave charter schools millions before they closed

Shannon Nickinson: Kids need more than pre-K to overcome poverty's obstacles