Gov. Rick Scott wants to treat universities and colleges more like private businesses, as Rick Perry is trying to do in Texas, with more scrutiny over professor and university performance.
Schools
Flagler Schools’ Enrollment Is Flat Overall But Showing Strong Migration to Charters
On the first day of school in Flagler, every elementary school but one lost students, all three charter schools gained, and problems were limited to several overcrowded buses and enormous car lines at Imagine and Belle Terre.
Florida’s Next Testing Target: Pre-K Children
David Lawrence, a leading pre-K education advocate in Florida, is winning converts to his proposal that pre-K children be subjected to standardized testing to instill rigor and accountability similar to that of K-12 programs. He says it won’t be a “baby FCAT.”
From Bad to Worse: Flagler and Florida Students Near Bottom in National ACT Scores
There’s plenty of back-patting when Flagler students are compared to their Florida peers. When Flagler and Florida students are compared to students across the nation, the story is much bleaker.
Flagler School Board and County Commission Narrow Redistricting Options to Three
The Flagler School Board and the Flagler County Commission took less than an hour in a joint meeting Tuesday to eliminate three of six redistricting options. The public weighs in next, at two hearings in September. See all plans.
IB Extended Essay Guide for Students
IB Extended Essay Guide: how to write the International Baccalaureate extended essay. A complete student guide with subject-specific examples.
This Week in Flagler and Tallahassee: The Cost Of Elections, Garbage and Redistricting
The County Commission has another close encounter with Supervisor of Elections Weeks, the Palm Coast City Council talks garbage, the school board talks redistricting, Bunnell talks special events, and in Tallahassee, the governor and the cabinet meet while several redistricting hearings are held around the state.
To Ward Off Senility, Make That Bed: UF Researchers’ Advice to the Medicare Generation
University of Florida researchers have used laboratory-based methods to objectively measure the amount of energy older adults use up as they go about their daily activities. Activity means less senility.
Shortened School Schedule Briefly Fumbles Buddy Taylor’s PAL Football Program
Buddy Taylor Middle School Mike Garrett sent a resignation letter to parents Wednesday when it appeared football students could not stay at the school between the earlier dismissal time and 3 p.m. practice. Principal Winnie Oden calls the situation a misunderstanding that was resolved.
Reminder: Florida’s Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend: Here’s A Guide
Florida’s Tax Free Days, or sales tax holiday, is scheduled this year for August 12 through August 14. The sales tax exemption applies to clothing and school supplies. A complete guide.
Refusing Other Federal Health Care Aid, Florida Welcomes Abstinence-Only Cash
Florida has been against taking federal health care money until being for it–as long as it sustains abstinence-only sex classes.
Grim, Doleful Post-Mortem as State School Board and Educators Wonder What’s Next
A daylong meeting of the State Board of Education drew dozens of school officials from around the state and dismal assessments of what they’ve been left with after compulsive budget-cutting.
Students as Customers, Universities as Businesses: Scott’s Plan To Texify Higher Ed
Gov. Rick Scott is following Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s lead in higher ed: merit pay for professors, tenure reform, and generally a greater emphasis on business-like measurement of whether professors are turning out students that meet certain goals.
Soaring Corporate Tax Credit Voucher Program Costing Flagler Schools Half a Million Dollars
A new law passed by the Legislature last year increased the amount of taxpayer dollars available for private-school vouchers, from $118 million to $140 million-money denied the public school system. Some 33,000 students, including 86 in Flagler, are enrolled.
School Board Rejects Administrators’ 2% Raise, Awards It to Lesser-Paid Professionals
The proposed raise for the 50-some administrators in the county, who make between $50,000 and $100,000, had triggered a political wildfire. Board members were more willing to give the raise to supervisors paid, for the most part, less than teachers.
Paging All Parents: Flagler Schools Launch “Graduate One” Campaign on Aug. 4
Flagler schools want parents better informed and more involved as graduation requirements increase. The district is hosting a countywide orientation session at nine locations on Aug. 4 under the banner of its “Graduate One Everyone” campaign.
Florida Graduation Requirements for Students Entering 9th Grade, 2011-2017
Florida high school graduation requirements for entering 9th graders from 2011-12 to 2016-17: a year-by-year guide including FCAT, end-of-year-course assessments and science requirements.
Why Attending Local Government Meetings Has Nothing To Do With Being Involved
No one was in the audience when school administrators making $97,000 a year made their pitch for raises. Don’t blame the public for not being there. It’s not the public’s fault, and there are far better ways to be involved.
Palm Coast’s Rabbi Shapiro and Education Trio Sue Over “Religious Freedom” Amendment
Florida’s so-called “Religious Freedom” amendment is misleading, the lawsuit argues, as it would reopen the way for religious, private school vouchers at public expense and turn the state into an arbiter of public dollars for religious organizations.
Do Flagler School Administrators Making $97,000 a Year Need A Raise? They Say Yes.
Some 25 Flagler school administrators make between $80,000 and $105,000 a year. They’re saying they were disrespected when denied a 2 percent raise. The school board is reconsidering.
Flagler Property Tax Bills Set to Drop Markedly As School Board Keeps 2012 Levy Flat
Contrasting with public perceptions that taxes are going up, a typical house may see a $150 drop from school taxes alone next year, giving Palm Coast and the county more room to maneuver for higher tax rates.
Flagler Rep. Bill Proctor: Public University Tuition Should Go Up by More than 15% A Year
Bill proctor, the St. Augustine Republican and private-college president, says tuition increases at public universities should be greater than 15% so Florida’s tuition costs can reach the national average faster.
It’s Not Just Flagler: Across Florida, Schools Contend With $1 Billion Less for Education
From Broward’s elimination of 1,400 teaching positions to Marion’s reduction to a 4-day week to Duval’s cuts in sports programs, school districts have been finding various ways to make shriveled ends meet.
Flagler School District Maintains A for 4th Year in a Row As Elementaries Shine
The A rating was powered by substantial improvements at Rymfire Elementary and other schools maintaining their high achievements. Charter schools didn’t do as well.
Hospital Donation Helps Campers Find Adventure at Palm Coast Summer Camp
Palm Coast summer camp for elementary and middle school children runs through August 12, at $75 a week. Scholarships are available. Children may attend as many (or as few) weeks as they choose.
Stetson Picks Ex-Princeton Coach to Revive Football Program, Dormant Since 1956
Roger A. Hughes had a 47-52 record in 10 years in Princeton, including one Ivy League championship season. Stetson likes him for his fund-raising prowess, too.
Lily Ann Alford
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Lily Anne Alford is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Jillian Hooper
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Jillian Hooper is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Danielle Thompson
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Danielle Thompson is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Brianna Seay
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Brianna Seay is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Alyssa Brianna Diaz
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Alyssa Diaz is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Dakota Sexton
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Dakota Sexton is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Sydney Olsen
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Sydney Olsen is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Haley Watson
Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Haley Watson is a Miss Flagler County Scholarship Pageant contestant in the 16-23year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Alexa Miller
Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Alexa Miller is a Miss Flagler County Scholarship Pageant contestant in the 16-23year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Taylor Gross
Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Taylor Gross is a Miss Flagler County Scholarship Pageant contestant in the 16-23year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Ashley Nicole Pelose
Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Ashley Nicole Pelose is a Miss Flagler County Scholarship Pageant contestant in the 16-23year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Sara D’Esposito
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Sara D’Esposito is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Alexandra Moreira
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Alexandra Moreira is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Katelyn Seay
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Katelyn Seay is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Alexis Clayton
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Alexis Clayton is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Shanna Mae Merceron
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Shanna Merceron is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Grace Emery
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Grace Emery is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Kate Strickland
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Kate Strickland is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Kianna Leigh Edwards
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Kianna Edwards is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Tara Norberg
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Tara Norberg is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Morgan Ann Davis
Miss Junior Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Morgan Ann Davis is a Miss Junior Flagler County contestant in the 12 to 15 year old category of the 2011 Miss Flagler County Pageant.
Samantha Ford
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Samantha Ford is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Kaitlyn Dimpflmaier
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Kaitlyn Dimpflmaier is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.
Melissa Swanson
Little Miss Flagler County Contestant (2011)
Melissa Swanson is a Little Miss Flagler County contestant in the 8 to 11 year old category of the 2011 Flagler County Pageant.