Independent NewsPosts Tagged ‘Education’
Community may not be buying Thomas’ report on Tate
If the intent of Superintendent Malcolm Thomas was to quell criticism, his March 24 report appears to be a dismal failure. Parents and community officials aren't buying the report as being independent. I spoke with a pastor today who is upset that the school officials didn't turn the [...]
Thomas will allow students to hear Obama speech
Last year, Superintendent of School Malcolm Thomas refused to allow his students to hear President Barack Obama's speech to open the school year. It was too disruptive, according to Thomas. That was then, this is now. Superintendent Thomas will allow principals and teachers to make the decision for [...]
Don Gaetz’s Legislative Report
Press Release: 2010 Legislative Session Report The 112th session of the Legislature reflected the struggles of Florida families and businesses during the most challenging economic conditions since the Great Depression. Hard times brought rapidly increasing demands for [...]
Boo hoo, no voodoo–Groups oppose Evers bill
ACLU Press Release: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Numerous religious organizations, clergy and nonpartisan citizen organizations representing a wide range of interests today called upon Florida Speaker of the House Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater to halt two joint resolutions that have [...]
Other education changes on the horizon
The Miami Herald is reporting other changes could await Gov. Crist's signature: More advanced classes for high school graduation: "Students will have to take geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry or physics plus one equally rigorous science course in order to graduate. The number of credits [...]
School Board needs to table Camelot decision
Rebekah Allen's story ( Camelot questioned over allegations of force) on the firm that Superintendent Malcolm Thomas wants to have takeover the alternative schools raises many questions. The first issue is the lack of time for the School Board to study the issue - the background material on the [...]
Story appointed to State Education Board
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Gulf Power CEO/President Susan Story has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the state Board of Education. Read more.
Perdido Bay Tribe heads to capitol
Press Release: PERDIDO BAY TRIBE TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL NATIVE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS EVENT AT FLORIDA CAPITOL MARCH 19TH Chief Bobby Johns Bearheart will present declaration during special ceremony PENSACOLA, Fla. (March 4, 2010) – Perdido Bay Tribe, a local and state-recognized tribe of [...]
Judge Goodman tackles truancy
NorthEscambia.com reports that Circuit Judge Ross Goodman has written the Escambia County School Board a letter declaring that the district has a truancy crisis. Judge Goodman is proposing the district implement a School Truancy Operation Program (STOP). Under the STOP program, law enforcement [...]
In-school suspension improves stat
In 2007-2008, Escambia County had 7,482 out-of-school suspensions. All those days were counted as unexcused absences and led to the School District being ranked 15th out of 67 school districts for highest unexcused absenteeism, according to an article in today's PNJ. Superintendent Malcolm [...]
IB and Advance Placement could take budget hit
The State Senate is considering a budget that would cut nearly in half the funding for advanced placement and International Baccalaureate across the state. Last year these programs got $66 million — down from about $100 million from 2007-08 school year. The House version doesn't have these [...]
Florida schools could lose out on federal aid
The Economic Stimulus package that was approved by the House requires states to maintain school spending to ''at least at the level of fiscal year 2006'' to qualify for as much as $3.58 billion in education spending. The Florida Legislature has cut the state's education budget by about $600 [...]