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Staff ReportsMay 23, 2016

The Florida Ports Council named Niki McKinnell as vice president of public affairs. McKinnell replaces Jennifer Krell Davis who has accepted a position as deputy director of the Office of Public Information at The Florida Bar. McKinnell brings more than a decade of communications and public affairs experience to the Florida Ports Council. She comes […]

Associated PressApril 18, 2016

New bonus payments aimed at attracting and keeping good teachers in Florida have gone disproportionately to those who work with students from affluent families, an analysis by a Florida newspaper has found. Teachers who received bonuses under the $44 million “best and brightest” teacher scholarship program started last year were more than twice as likely […]

Frank TorresSeptember 9, 2015

In spite of a tough upbringing in a poor family, education helped Gov. Rick Scott get ahead, he told state leaders Wednesday morning at an Orlando education summit hosted by Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. The governor next reviewed his educational platform for the audience at the Omni Orlando Resort, connecting it to Florida’s job growth. “If we […]

Jac VerSteegAugust 16, 2015

You always hear that charter schools can innovate because they are freed from some of the stupid bureaucratic rules that plague traditional public schools. A couple of charter schools in Broward County are taking advantage of a “rule break” that truly appears “innovative.” They don’t have to pay their bills. That’s right, according to reporter […]

Phil AmmannJuly 9, 2015

First lady Ann Scott read aloud to a group of summer camp students this week for the second stop of Florida’s 2015 Summer Literacy Adventure. Surrounded by sparkling waters and native wildlife of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Scott recited John Lithgow’s I’m a Manatee to a group of students from area summer […]

Jac VerSteegApril 15, 2015

The Florida Legislature has passed, and Gov. Rick Scott has signed, an education reform bill that is dishonest – and politically cowardly – at its core. The measure tries to appease parents and others sick of over-testing. It scales back the number of tests. That’s fine. It also reduces the weight given to tests when […]

Julie DelegalMarch 3, 2015

And you thought the Obamacare web rollout had problems. Computer malfunctions, brand new curriculum standards and unparalleled stress have characterized the debut of the new Florida Standards Assessments. But could Florida’s testing debacle be alleviated by a stroke of the governor’s pen? On Monday, 36 of Florida’s 67 counties – more than half – experienced […]

Guest AuthorJuly 24, 2014

It’s a sobering thought: Florida’s students are graduating from high school without a good understanding of how to manage money. Whether going off to college or entering the workforce, these young minds should have at least the basics of money matters down, right? The unfortunate truth is, nearly half of Florida’s graduating seniors lack comprehension […]

Julie DelegalJune 22, 2014

Jacksonville is ground zero for the public education budget disaster that is the result of 15 years of misguided “reform” in Florida. Three months ago, Duval Superintendent of Schools Nikolai Vitti introduced an innovative, if short-lived, proposal to allow open enrollment district-wide to keep more students in the public system. His reason? The public school […]

Guest AuthorApril 8, 2014

I am against bullying. Everyone is. Even bullies are against bullies when they are the ones being bullied. The Florida Department of Education defines bullying as, “Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive […]

Tag: Florida Department of Education
This exhibit celebrates late-blooming artistry, proving it’s never too late for bold creativity.

Personnel note: Florida Ports Council names Niki McKinnell as Public Affairs VP

Florida’s top teachers found at affluent schools

Rick Scott talks education at DOE summit in Orlando

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Make charter schools pay the money they owe

Ann Scott reads about manatees, wildlife to kids for Summer Literacy Adventure

Jac VerSteeg: Fewer tests in school-grade formula is like less spit in milk

Julie Delegal: Gov. Scott, give kids a break from computer-plagued tests

Michael L. Bell: For Florida’s students, money matters

Julie Delegal: Florida’s school-budget chickens come home to roost

Jamie Miller: Do we need to legislate bullying?