Under the program, corporations are allowed to take tax credits for money that they contribute to Step Up for Students, which then uses those funds to essentially provide private-school vouchers.
Schools
Panicked About Big Drop, Superintendents Want School Grades Artificially Held Up
Curbing the possible declines in school scores — which would essentially continue a policy from last year allowing the marks to drop no more than a letter grade at each school — was one of several recommendations the superintendents made during a meeting of a task force Commissioner Bennett put together at the request of the State Board of Education.
Board of Governors Shoots Down Florida College Fee Increases Backed By Students
The most sweeping decision, rejected 3-2, came on a proposal by eight universities to increase the “capital improvement trust fund” fees, or CITF fees, which pay for construction projects approved by university panels that draw at least half their members from the student body.
Days After Tax Defeat, a Divided Flagler School Board Recoils at a Pair of Expensive Contracts
A pair of 3-2 votes approved one vendor contract for $107,700 and rejected another for $534,000 as board members looked to be more like budget hawks in light of the failed tax referendum. Neither item had been part of the budget-cut discussions before the vote.
Fearing Another School Grade Collapse Across Florida, Education Board Looks for a Plan
With preliminary calculations showing a possible collapse in the grades for schools across the state, the State Board of Education is asking the Education Commissioner to appoint a task force to examine the test scores used to calculate the grades and avoid another botched rollout.
ACLU to School Board: Sending 8th Grade Boy Home for Wearing Make-Up Is Not Lawful
Chris Martin, a 14-year-old 8th grader in Pinellas County, was sent home last week for wearing eyeliner, eyeshadow and lipstick even though girls at his school wear make-up, and the student code of conduct does not prohibit boys from doing so. Nor could it, the ACLU wrote the superintendent, saying the principal’s action was illegal. The case triggered a petition and is garnering international attention.
Teens-In-Flight Launches First Female Fliers: Cora Jo Rand and Gigi Gonzalez
Teens-In-Flight students Cora Jo Rand and Gigi Gonzales became the first female students to fly solo for the Palm Coast-based Teens-In-Flight program, which plans expansions to Fort Bragg and Camp Lejune, N.C., as well as Fort Hood and Fort Bliss, Texas, by year’s end.
Flagler County Schools’ Problem Solvers Collect 5 Trophies at International Tourney
Flagler Palm Coast High School’s and Bunnell Elementary’s students combined for one first place award, two second place, and two third place awards at the annual international problem solvers’ competition, just concluded at Indiana University. Flagler County’s awards represented fully one third of all the awards collected by Florida schools.
Evolving from OMG to GED: Flagler’s Adult Education Innovates With a Class for the Deaf
Flagler Technical Institute’s Adult Education program (FTI) is offering a graduation-equivalency diploma GED preparation class to the deaf community, the first of its kind in the area. The curriculum will focus on math, English, science, and social studies.
Flagler School Tax Fails; “We Will Do Everything Possible to Meet Challenges,” Superintendent Says
The first batch of result, based on early-voting and absentee ballots, show the school tax referendum failing by a wide margin, with 60 percent of voters opposed and 40 percent in favor. The numbers: 4,663 against, 3,105 for, so far.