Theres never really a dull moment in the world of Floridas education. From issues in standardized testing to guns on school campuses, things didnt slow down in education world at all this week across the Sunshine State.
HOUSE GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO LIMIT TESTING
The Florida House Education Committee passed a lengthy (think 68-page lengthy) bill dealing with, well, pretty much every pressing issue facing Floridas education.
Among the highlights of PCB EDC 15-04: limiting the number of standardized tests that could be given in schools and allowing school districts to move up school start dates as early as Aug. 10.
The legislation would also eliminate the 11th-grade English-Language Arts assessment test and would prohibit schools from giving end-of-year exams on top of statewide standardized assessment tests.
Teacher evaluations would also be changed under the new bill, with student performance and instructional practice evaluation components limited to one-third each to determine how well a teacher is doing.
WERE UNDER ATTACK!
During the last 10 minutes of the House Education Committee meeting, the FDOE dropped a bombshell: those technical glitches with the new Florida Standards Assessment? The department said they werent just speed bumps -- they were actually part of a cyber attack on the American Institutes for Research (the testing company responsible for the FSAs servers), putting a dark cloud on an already controversial test.
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart explained the department was working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to ensure they identify the bad actors and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Never mind the rain, though, the department said. As of Thursday, 87 percent of Florida students had been able to complete the writing test.
Theres still no word yet on who was responsible for the attack.
GUNS ON CAMPUS BILL GETS GREEN LIGHT
Legislation to allow guns on public school campuses came one step closer to reality this week in the Florida House K-12 Education Subcommittee Wednesday.
The bill would allow school districts to designate school safety designees who would be allowed to carry concealed weapons on public school campuses.
Those allowed to carry guns on campus could be honorably discharged veterans, active members of the military or retired law enforcement officers. Theyd also be required to undergo rigorous training to become safety designees.
I don't think an American Sniper approach is the way to protect our kids, said Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura, who was the only committee member to vote against the measure.
PAUSE ON SCHOOL GRADES? NO WAY, NO HOW
Florida is fully under way with its transition to the new Common Core-aligned Florida Standards, and with the new standards comes a new statewide assessment test. Many from all walks of education: legislators, school officials, parents and teachers have called for a temporary pause on school grades during this transition year.
An amendment to a bill eliminating testing requirements, proposed by Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, would have held off school grading as students and teachers familiarized themselves with the test.
Representatives from school districts all over the state came out in support of Jones amendment, but Republicans werent swayed.
The pressure helps our schools to continue to strive to do better, said Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach.
Jones amendment failed, but the bill was approved.
SCHOOLS COULD GET CASH FOR SCHOOL UNIFORMS
A new bill to give schools more money and solve the age-old dilemma of wondering what to wear to class is making its way through the Florida House.
This week, the House K-12 Education Committee approved a proposal to offer $10 per student for school districts that mandate a uniform policy for grades K-8.
One problem: there might not be enough money to give exactly $10 for each student in districts participating in the program. In that case, the state would distribute $10 million on a pro-rated basis.
Some argued the bill would stifle individual creativity while others said it would cut down on school shopping expenses.
