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Staff ReportsJune 2, 2017

The Florida Education Association isn’t satisfied with Gov. Rick Scott’s and legislative leaders’ plan to pump another $100 per pupil into public education. The union also wants Scott to veto HB 7069, the Legislature’s big education package. “The gaping flaws in HB 7069 haven’t changed with this suggested increase in funding,” FEA President Joanne McCall […]

Guest AuthorMay 31, 2017

Remember “Schoolhouse Rock”? Many of us remember the process of how a bill becomes a law from that jingle which still rings in our heads. First, there’s an idea. Then this idea becomes a bill, which must be vetted by both legislative chambers and approved through a rigorous process meant to weed out the good […]

Phil AmmannMay 31, 2017

One of the great joys of serving as an elected state Representative is the opportunity it provides me to interact with the people of our community and act as a voice on their behalf in Tallahassee. That’s why I’m excited to have been afforded the chance to write an occasional column to fill you in […]

Peter SchorschMay 26, 2017

Winston Churchill once said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Democrats are starting to formulate a strategy for Bill Nelson’s upcoming Senate re-election effort — more likely than not facing Gov. Rick Scott. Not one to waste a good opportunity, Nelson’s nascent campaign could receive a significant boost by way of a veto of the sweeping education […]

Gary FineoutMay 23, 2017

Debby Dawson, who lives in southwest Florida, has a simple message to Gov. Rick Scott: The state’s existing scholarship program for disabled children is “life changing” and has helped her 7-year-old autistic son “develop by leaps and bounds.” Dawson is part of a chorus of parents from around the state who have mounted a campaign […]

Phil AmmannMay 17, 2017

Senate Democrats are ready to work with Gov. Rick Scott should he veto the massive education reform bill pushed by House leaders in the final days of the 2017 Session. Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald reports that Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon is prepared to help prevent an override of Scott’s veto, under […]

Guest AuthorMay 8, 2017

“It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men (and women)” — Frederick Douglass It is incredible how many societal ills arise out of a failure to educate, in the fullest sense of the word, the children of our great state. We utter platitudes like, “we must do better,” as we watch […]

Drew WilsonApril 14, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 7069 Tuesday, reducing the number of tests Florida public school students take as well as making changes to teacher evaluations and school year start dates. “This legislation reduces the number of tests our students take, including the 11th grade English Language Arts test that we eliminated this year through an […]

Shannon NickinsonMarch 25, 2015

It’s almost time to let the tilt-a-whirl of state standardized testing spin anew. Next week, Escambia County students will begin Florida Standards Assessment testing in reading and mathematics. Santa Rosa students will start their testing in April. Third- and fourth-graders will take the tests on paper. For fifth-graders on up, the tests will be online. […]

Tag: HB 7069

Another $215 million for schools doesn’t go far enough, FEA complains

Shevrin Jones: Florida education bill’s path isn’t how the process works

Bobby DuBose: Rick Scott must veto HB 7069 on behalf of our public schools

Democrats have opportunity-in-crisis with Rick Scott education bill veto possibility

Fate of program for disabled children rests with Rick Scott

Senate Democrats could help block budget veto override – with caveats

Michael Bileca and Manny Diaz: Florida’s educational industrial complex earned need to be reformed

Rick Scott signs bill to cut school testing

Shannon Nickinson: High-stakes testing thrill ride ready to resume