More Florida high schools are earning A's and B's while only 39 percent of 10th-graders are reading at or above proficiency levels on the state's FCAT exam, Department of Education records show.

Some 78 percent of high schools scored either an A or B grade in 2011, up from 71 percent last year. A-rated schools receive financial awards from the state of up to $150,000 per campus.

Yet high school students' academic competence is flat or falling. The 39 percent of students reading at or above Level 3 "proficiency" was the same as it was in 2010.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putman outlined an energy plan Thursday designed to diversify the states energy portfolio, advance renewable energy production, encourage home-grown technologies and promote greater energy efficiency.

The plan calls for establishing a climate that encourages new energy industries and the creation of jobs without specifically targeting an emerging technology for the government to back.

Following his victories in the Iowa caucus and in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is the overwhelming favorite to win the Florida primary on Jan. 31, according to a poll released on Thursday from Rasmussen Reports.

Florida's ranking in Education Week's 2012 Quality Counts report tumbled to 11th place nationally, dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in four years.

Rated fifth in the country last year, Florida was surpassed by Ohio and other states which have adopted Sunshine State-style school reforms launched by Gov. Jeb Bush in the 1990s.

Education Week handed Florida an overall grade of "C+" --down from a "B-" last year.

Maryland, for the fourth straight year, repeated as the top education state, with a "B."

Secretary of State Kurt Brownings second resignation was accepted Wednesday by Gov. Rick Scott.

After a great deal of thought over the holiday, I have decided that it is in the best interest of my family that I would return to Pasco County, Browning stated in his resignation letter.

Browning said there was no pressure from the governor's office.

Destination gaming could face a quick end in the House after the first committee workshop on the controversial proposal to set up a statewide gaming commission and allow three casino resorts.

Members of the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee gave no direction on how to proceed with the bill after nearly two hours of comments and presentations from gaming interests and opponents on Wednesday.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, who said he hasnt personally made a decision on the bill, called the meeting educational for those on the committee.

State revenue forecasters will meet Thursday to come up with a new estimate that could shape both the size of the budget for the coming fiscal year and the length of the legislative session.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate are still divided over whether the length of the session is a closed matter. Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, has repeatedly and publicly raised questions about whether lawmakers should rely on January prognostications about the economy or wait a while for more information.

To win just under 40 percent of the vote in a primary with five active candidates is pretty impressive, even for a candidate like Mitt Romney, who started off with significant advantages in New Hampshire.

Florida, a key cog in an expanding global human-trafficking network, is looking to crack down on the $42.5 billion industry, starting with a vote on anti-racketeering legislation Thursday.

Arally in Tallahassee on Wednesday marked a "Day of Awareness" in the fight against domestic human trafficking, whose criminal enterprises range from sexual slavery to organ harvesting.

With former Gov. Mitt Romney following up his success in the Iowa caucus by winning the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday night, his rivals in the race for the Republican presidential nomination turned to South Carolina, which is next up with a primary on Jan. 21, on Wednesday to slow down his momentum.