The bill puts a hold on the use of student test data for school grades, teacher evaluations and student promotion to fourth grade until the new Florida Standards Assessments can be independently validated.
Schools
Guess Who’s Rethinking Guns In Schools: Colleen Conklin May Not Oppose Designating Concealed Carriers, But She’s In a Minority
Most Flagler County School Board members, the superintendent and the sheriff say school officers, not individuals carrying concealed weapons, can best address security needs in local schools. A bill making its way through the Legislature would allow school boards to designate employees or volunteers to carry concealed weapons.
Daytona State College May Have To Drop “State” From Name and Limit 4-Year Degrees
A Florida Senate proposal would forbid community colleges from using the word “state” in their name and cap at 5 percent the share of a college’s enrollment that could be made up of students pursuing baccalaureate, or four-year, degrees.
Flagler Students From 6 Schools Collect 62 Awards at State Future Problem Solvers Competition
Some 35 Flagler County students have been invited to the competition’s International Conference this summer in Ames, Iowa. A list of the winners is included.
House Ties Money to School Dress Codes, More Dollars for Charters, Fewer Class-Size Penalties
Most of the school-related bills were passed in lopsided votes, though Democrats united to oppose a measure that could funnel local tax dollars to charter-school construction.
Proposal Would Suspend 3rd Grade Test Required For Promotion to 4th Grade This Year
The proposal calls for suspending the language-arts test for 3rd graders until the state’s new Florida Standards Assessments are found to be valid by an independent examination.
School Board Honors Cheryl Tristam With Power of One Award For Youth Orchestra’s 10-Year Triumphs
Cheryl Tristam stressed the importance of making music education accessible to every child regardless of background or ability as she received an award bestowed periodically on community members who have had a broad impact on students.
School Choice Bill That Vastly Increases Parental Control–And Undermines Educators’–Advances
The measure gives parents the right to have their children attend any school in the state that hasn’t reached capacity and remove their child from one class to another under certain circumstances.
School Bus On Its Way to Buddy Taylor Middle Strikes Jogger on Sesame Blvd. in Palm Coast
The school bus’ jutting side mirror is believed to have struck the jogger around 6:26 this morning. The victim was evacuated to Halifax hospital. The students on the bus were taken to school on a different bus.
Favoring Flagler and Other Districts, Lawmakers May Move Up School Start Time to Aug. 10
In the shadow of the state’s recent standardized-testing problems and proposals to curb the amount of time students spend on exams, lawmakers are considering moving up the start date of the school year.