Category: Education
Buzz: Brownsville Middle sale not on school board agenda
For the second consecutive month, the proposed sale of Brownsville Middle School to George Hawthorne and his Diversified Program Advisors is not on the agenda…
After nine years of FCAT, high schools aren’t better
After nine years of teaching to FCAT tests at every level, we should see FCAT scores improve at high school. The high school grades should…
Why Escambia Public Schools aren’t progressing
Reading is the issue. Our math gains consistently range from 69-65 percent, but the gains in reading range from 61-55 percent. The percentage of students…
Escambia School District ranked in bottom 25 percent
The Florida Department of Education has been grading the school districts based on their FCAT scores since 2003-2004 school year. In 2009-2010 school year, Escambia…
FCAT scores to determine teacher pay
Yesterday, I interviewed a parent who pulled his son out of Escambia County Public School District because he felt all the teachers had been doing…
Bright Futures may be cut again
Bright Futures, the merit-based college scholarship program for Florida high school graduates, may be cut yet again from $3,750 a year to $2,900. This scholarship…
Student challenges new District drug policy
I received this email from a Washington High student who questions, as I have, the School District’s decision to drug test its best students rather…
Breakdown of School District costs for records
What is now called “Public Records Request #97” – documents regarding the internal investigations into Warrington Middle School- will cost the IN $374.40 because of…
Escambia Student Expulsions declining
The Escambia County Public School District has slowed down on its student expulsions. In January and February 2010, the District expelled 46 students. During the…
Escambia Student Councils to be drug tested
If a middle or high school student wants to participate in extracurricular activities in Escambia County public schools, their parents must agree to let them…
Ain’t No Sunshine at the District
In the days of Sheriff Ron McNesby (2001-2008), Public Records Request by IN were an adventure. It all began when we requested the flight logs…
Race to the Top for Student Success Act
Florida Tribune reports This year’s version of a teacher merit pay bill sailed through the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee last week. The bill has been…
School Drug Dogs: Hit or Bust?
Escambia County School Board Jeff Bergosh has posted the latest statistics on the daily drug dog searches of middle and high schools in the county….
Whatever happened to…
Last February, Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas told the IN he had another buyer for Brownsville Middle School. Whatever happened to that buyer? Diversity Program…
States with Smartest Kids
Every year, 4th and 8th graders are tested in reading and math, and some states produce far more top achievers than others. The Daily Beast…
Cart before the Horse?
Next Friday, Jan. 28 George Hawthorne will announce at City Hall at 1 p.m. his acquisition of Brownsville Middle School for his P.A.T.H ((Providing Avenues…
Brownsville Middle School sales contract
George Hawthorne emailed me the sales contract for Brownsville Middle School. Diversity Program Advisors is buying the property for $1 million in “as is” condition….
Escambia County schools get $8.37 million
It took awhile but the Escambia County Public School District got word today that it will get $8,373,647 in Race to Top funds. Press Release:…
Spencer Bibbs has amazing FCAT successes
At Spencer Bibbs, the third grade reading scores are up 69 percent since 2007, jumping the percentage of those scoring a three over above from…
