Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonNovember 28, 2017

Nearly 8,000 pupils from the Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and various Caribbean nations affected by Hurricane Maria have enrolled in Florida public schools, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said Tuesday. At a State Board of Education Meeting in Lake County, Stewart said the tally of new pupils included 7,212 Puerto Rican children and 710 […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerSeptember 14, 2017

The Florida Board of Education approved a 2018-2019 budget request Wednesday that includes a $200 per-student boost in the K-12 system, increased funding for the 28 state colleges and construction money for public schools, colleges and universities. The board met in a conference call, with Chairwoman Marva Johnson and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart saying their […]

Associated PressMarch 22, 2017

Florida is investigating whether or not school districts are moving students around in order to manipulate graduation rates. Education Commissioner Pam Stewart announced Wednesday that she has asked top officials in her department to look closer at students who were in their senior year but weren’t counted in final graduation rates. Gary Chartrand, a member […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 8, 2016

On Thursday, Florida Governor Rick Scott and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart held a “teacher roundtable” at an elementary school in Northwest Jacksonville. Reynolds Lane Elementary, located near the industrial areas of Commonwealth Avenue, is in a neighborhood that shows up on the crime blotter and the lead stories of the news all too frequently. Thursday saw Gov. Scott […]

Associated PressAugust 19, 2016

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A federal judge has turned down a request from Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and six school districts to take over a lawsuit that challenges the state law preventing some students from being promoted to the fourth grade. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled Friday following an emergency hearing. His decision means that the dispute will […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 2, 2016

The Florida Chamber Foundation wants to make sure the next generation’s careers get a running start. The foundation will hold its annual education summit in Orlando on Thursday. The one-day Learners to Earners Education Summit is meant to bring together stakeholders to discuss how to make sure students are prepared for the workforce. “It has […]

Mitch PerryMay 20, 2016

Condolences this morning to St. Pete Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, who lost her husband, Tampa Bay Times outdoor reporter Terry Tomalin. Condolences to all who knew and loved him. Moving on, the documentary “Weiner” is set to open today in some markets around the country (not Tampa, though wouldn’t it be great if the Tampa […]

Mitch PerryMay 19, 2016

The ACLU of Florida wants state officials to know that protecting transgender students is not only required by law, but “is the right thing to do.” In a letter penned to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, the civil liberties group writes that “we hope that you will recognize the […]

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,” […]

Gary FineoutOctober 16, 2015

A tussle over the website used by the Florida Department of Education has resulted in the ouster of an agency employee and an animal rights group’s questioning whether state education officials are buckling under pressure from one of the state’s theme park operators. The department this month pushed out its deputy communications director after Jennifer […]

Tag: Pam Stewart

Florida public school enrollment has jumped by 8,000 post-Maria

More money proposed for public schools, colleges

Florida investigating whether grad rates were manipulated

Northwest Jacksonville Title I teachers sound off to Rick Scott, Pam Stewart

Federal judge says ‘no’ to student promotions case

Florida Chamber Foundation focuses on making students ‘prosperous for the rest of their life’

Mitch Perry Report for 5.20.16 — Hacked off

ACLU urges Florida officials not to defy feds regarding transgender students

Ann Scott kicks off annual Literacy Week, Florida! tour

State fires employee for scrubbing SeaWorld from website at PETA’s request