Escambia County Public Schools libraries open, sort of

Escambia County Public Schools communications coordinator Cody Strother sent an email to the media stating that school libraries are open. He added, “Any reporting contrary…

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Daily Outtakes: Fewer books, Less Shakespeare

Escambia County Public Schools opens the 2023-24 school year on Thursday, Aug. 10. Students may find few books in their classroom libraries and limited selections…

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Final Showdown is the biggest: Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners

In a week filled with showdowns, the last one—Superintendent Malcolm Thomas vs. Newpoint Education Partners—could be the biggest. At 1:30 p.m. today, the Escambia County…

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Escambia County teachers grade below state average

Escambia teacher has fewer classroom teachers and school administrators evaluated as highly effective than the state averages, according to a report issued this week by…

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Bus driver slapping child points to dysfunction in school district

The Cottons son told them that his school driver had hit him. When they appealed to the Escambia County Public School District for help, the…

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FCAT math: More than half of middle schoolers failed, but percentage is better than 2013

The FCAT math score showed some improvement over 2013 at most grade levels, except for third (49 percent, down 3) and fourth (55 percent, down…

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FCAT reading scores show Escambia elementary schools the same, middle slightly up and high school down over 2013

The Florida Department of Education has posted the 2014 FCAT scores. Escambia County still remains below the state averages in reading for all grades. Elementary…

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Accountability system did not work for Escambia County third graders

In May 2012, 19 percent of Escambia’s third-graders scored in reading a 1 — the lowest score — and 9 percent scored a 5 —…

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Escambia County third-graders have not gained any ground in five years

The school year 2008-2009 was the last group of third graders who attended class under former Superintendent Jim Paul. Escambia County third-graders did as well…

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School-to-Prison Pipeline: Southern Poverty Law Center questions Escambia County school system practices

Last week I interviewed David Utter from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on the Escambia Youth Justice Coalition. He said that in Escambia county…

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Fraud at school cafeterias

Now we know why the Escambia County Public School District set up a toll-free fraud hotline. The daily newspaper reports that an outside audit of…

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Escambia County losing high school students from year-to-year

There is good and bad news in the Escambia County’s public school enrollment statistics. The district’s enrollment increased by 174 students over the 2011-12 Fall…

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