Gradebook: Recent Episodes
Tampa Bay Times
Gradebook takes you inside the world of Florida education issues with reporter discussions and newsmaker interviews on the hottest topics of the week. Florida has been a national leader in education initiatives for more than two decades, and our team brings you closer to the action.
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If you ever had any question whether education is important in Florida, look no further than Tallahassee. Year after year, lawmakers and the governor have spent hours crafting policy ideas — good and bad — and even longer arguing about them. Even in the sessions when they announce they'll be giving the issue a rest. And 2020 is no different. So many controversies in the Capitol center on schooling subjects. Our Tallahassee bureau reporter Emily Mahoney joins education reporter Jeff Solochek to talk about the latest battles over vouchers, teacher pay, the Common Core and more.
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Who says the annual science fair has to be boring? Three Pasco County high school seniors took a challenge to devise a research project worthy of study in anti-gravity, and they now will send their effort to the International Space Station. Their teacher also is quick to point out that Krinn Technical students Amanda Marrero, Shelly Nonnenberg and Emily Null are women in a field dominated by men. What's on their minds? Marrero, Nonnenberg and Null talk about their studies, and the importance of science education, with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Superintendent searches serve to remind us of the important role that a chief executive plays in leading a school district to success. Everyone wants a "unicorn" — that unique someone who can do it all. But it's not always easy to find that person, as politics, loyalties and other agendas can interfere. All that came into play as Hillsborough County, the nation's seventh largest school system, looked for its next leader. And it's at issue in Pasco County, which elects its superintendent, as well. Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss superintendent appointments and elections, and why they matter.
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Florida's Baker Act wasn't intended to apply to school children when created in the 1970s. Lawmakers wanted to make it easier to help adults with mental health concerns get treatment closer to home. Over the years, though, schools have turned to the measure as justification to take into custody for evaluation children deemed a threat to themselves or others. And the numbers have grown, although oversight has not. Reporters Megan Reeves and Jack Evans have been investigating the situation. They talk about the issues with reporter Jeff Solochek, including what corrections might be forthcoming in the 2020 Florida legislative session.
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Florida's Legislature formally kicks off its 2020 session on Jan. 14. Several key education issues will hit the fan a day earlier. The Florida Education Association expects thousands of teachers to rally in Tallahassee for improved public school funding, while the Senate Education Committee is set to consider bills on several hot-button issues include teacher pay, voucher eligibility and charter school authorization. Will Monday foreshadow the tenor of Florida's education debate for the next few months? Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek discuss.
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The Hillsborough County school district, the seventh largest in the nation, is looking to hire a new chief executive before the current one retires in the spring. The School Board hasn't hired someone from outside the system to lead the district since the 1960s. But this time, the board appears intent on doing just that, to shake things up. Fifty-one hopefuls applied, from both near and far, and now comes the task of whittling down the list to the ones who will get an interview. How are things shaping up? Tampa Bay Times reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the lay of the land as the search enters its next phase.
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As Florida government leaders look to enhance students' civics knowledge, they might want to talk to Hillsborough County senior Haley Manigold. She and some of her schoolmates at Armwood High identified a concern with the state's graduation requirements and how they affect teens still learning English. Rather than just complain, the group decided to urge the Legislature to action. This past week, Manigold was among those testifying before the state Senate Education Committee about the proposed legislation, which is being carried by former Senate president Tom Lee. In this podcast, Manigold explains her efforts, her views on the importance of civic education, and her suggestions for getting teens to better understand the system.
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Florida's 2020 legislative session begins Jan. 14, and in the months leading up to the annual event, it's been Gov. Ron DeSantis — not state lawmakers — who has led the charge in proposing new directions in state education policy. Improving teacher pay has become the driving topic of the discussion so far. But what else can we expect? Something major, like another expansion of voucher programs? Or is this the year that the Legislature finally takes its oft discussed breather from education issues, to let the schools get accustomed to all the latest requirements of the past few sessions? Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee bureau reporter Emily Mahoney joins Times education reporter Jeff Solochek to discuss the current lay of the land as lawmakers head into their final pre-session committee week.
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University of Florida student government president Michael Murphy faces an impeachment inquiry in the aftermath of Donald Trump Jr.'s campus speech. A group of student senators alleges that Murphy, whose family has apparent connections to the president, improperly used student fees to pay Trump for his appearance. They contend it was a coordinated campaign visit, and have used the word 'collusion' to describe the way the event came to be. State Republicans, meanwhile, have come to Murphy's defense as the conversation picks up steam. What's all the fuss about? Student senator Ben Lima, who is leading the charge against Murphy, explains his position to reporter Megan Reeves.
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In efforts to make schools better, Florida officials often look to the person in charge of the campus. The principal sets the tone, leads by example, attracts (or in negative examples, repels) the faculty and staff charged with the daily education of children. How do school principals view their responsibilities? As Florida school districts are recognizing their top educators, we turned to Pasco County's newly named Principal of the Year, JoAnne Glenn, to hear her thoughts about the highly touted role. Glenn, who runs a virtual school, discusses the importance of the job, as well as her views on the changing nature of public education in a time of choice and customization.
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Florida's government leaders have decided to prioritize increasing teacher pay in their next state budget. They also want to expand vouchers, bolster school security, improve early education funding and raise per-student spending. They don't want to raise taxes, either. (Did we mention the governor and the majorities in both chambers are Republican?) Is the goal possible? State Rep. Chris Latvala, chairman of the House PreK-12 Appropriations committee, talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the moves under consideration to afford these many priorities.
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As Florida lawmakers have gathered in the state capitol to debate education issues such as teacher pay, prekindergarten funding and student-athlete health protections, leaders of the state's largest teacher union hit the road. They launched a five-week, 50-stop bus tour aimed at drawing attention to their positions on the issues, which often differ from those of the governor and legislative leaders. What's do they hope to accomplish? Florida Education Association vice president Andrew Spar discusses the group's objectives, as well as the barriers they face, with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Alexandra Gilmore knew she needed to attend the Florida Department of Education's public forum about student expectations when it came to Tampa on Oct. 17. The mother of two, who sometimes substitutes in local schools, has seen the love of learning sucked out of her children, and others like them, because of the way the standards are implemented. Not all families start at the same place, Gilmore observed, and yet the state expects them all to begin at a high level — whether that's attainable or not. "The current standards are a set up for kids to fail," she said. What needs to be done? Hear Gilmore discuss her views on Florida's academic standards in an interview with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Two years after Parkland, Florida government, political and education leaders continue to debate the best ways to keep schools safe from violence. The state's Public Safety Commission, convened in the aftermath of the deadly attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, is about to issue a new set of recommendations. How individual districts choose to address the issues remains distinctly local. In Hernando County, the far north exurbs of Tampa, officials have long sworn by having trained law enforcement officers in the schools. Until one day the school district administration came up with a different idea. What comes next? Hernando County education reporter Jack Evans discusses the ongoing discussion with Jeff Solochek in our latest Gradebook podcast.
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This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his goal to increase Florida’s base teacher salary to $47,500. That would move the state from 26th in the nation to 2nd. And it would meet a longtime teacher plea to shift attention from bonuses to wages. DeSantis’ call to put more than half a billion dollars into paychecks didn’t win universal accolades, though. It instead was greeted with questions, doubts and criticisms. Why all the concern? Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association president Rob Kriete talks to reporter Jeff Solochek about the proposal and the pushback.
In Florida, the Hillsborough County school district has one of the largest number of schools on the state's lowest performing list when it comes to reading. Nearly one in four students in the system score below grade level on the annual reading and language arts exam. To combat the problem, the district hired a consultant to explore where the problems lie, and what strategies might bring the lowest readers up. A newly released preliminary report pointed to the types of materials provided, and how equitably they are distributed, as key to the situation. Reporter Marlene Sokol talks with district chief academic officer Deborah Cook about the importance of reading and what the system has in mind to make improvements.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state's youth need improved civics lessons so they can become better citizens. Tony Pirotta, a social studies teacher at Hillsborough County's Armwood High School, sees the answer already exists — give students a hands-on experience to involve themselves in the government. Each year, he works with a group of teens to discover an issue that matters to them, and which they think needs attention in law. They study the subject, write a proposal, find lawmakers to sponsor their measure and lobby in the halls of Tallahassee. All of this, Pirotta says, makes civics both understandable and meaningful. Pirotta talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the Ought to be a Law program, and this year's student initiative on testing of English-language learners.
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Florida voters approved a universal prekindergarten program back in 2002, after lawmakers refused to implement a an early education system to help prepare young children for school. Since then, the program has grown in enrollment, but its funding has remained stagnant, and its success has been limited. This year, state officials have called for improvements. With early learning on the front burner — it was the first topic of conversation for the House Education Committee as it heads to the 2020 legislative session — we turned to Pinellas County Early Learning Coalition CEO Lindsay Carson to discuss what needs to be done to fix the state's prekindergarten and school readiness model. Carson also chairs the state's Association of Early Learning Coalitions. She spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Just months after ending their 2019 session, Florida lawmakers have headed back to Tallahassee to begin preparing for 2020. The first week of committee meetings has offered a glimpse into the education priorities the Legislature is poised to tackle. Among them are school security (no surprise there) and early education. What else is on tap? Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek read the tea leaves.
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By their very nature, school board meetings are public. They're held in an open room. Anyone can attend. They exist specifically to deal with the public's business. Yet in the nation's eighth largest school district, the board chairwoman has led the fight to keep residents' comments to the board largely outside the public eye. She argues that some people wish to address the body privately, but in public. Plus, the same district — Hillsborough County — is looking for public input into its superintendent search. Through surveys and town halls, residents are encouraged to tell the district's headhunter exactly what they want to see in the next CEO. Is the board listening, or just going through the motions? Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the role of public comments as the district makes some key decisions.
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The tiny Jefferson County school district, about 25 minutes outside Florida's state capital, turned out poor student performance for more than a decade. Its finances were in peril, too, as the racially divided community battled politically over the flailing school system of about 800 students. About three years ago, the state stepped in, declaring the district in financial emergency, and then pushing an academic turnaround plan that ultimately turned Jefferson County into a district operated by charter schools. The efforts, though small in size, offered an insight into the possibilities of where the state might go with other, larger school districts that don't meet the test-based accountability expectations set by the state. WLRN radio education reporter Jessica Bakeman spent close to three years looking into the tale of Jefferson County schools. She shares her findings with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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School districts across Florida have long lists of construction, maintenance and repair projects with price tags that far exceed the revenue they anticipate getting from the state. Dozens have gone to their voters asking for sales tax increases to bolster the amount available to spend. Several more are looking that direction. Why are the local officials feeling forced to seek local solutions? The state has given what little capital funds it has to charter schools, rather than district schools, in the name of funding equity. Exacerbating the situation, the state has cut its support of capital projects by 71 percent, as a share of the economy, over the past decade. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities senior researcher Mike Leachman has been looking into the data, and talked with reporter Jeff Solochek about the implications of spending less money on keeping the schools up to snuff.
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Teachers have contracts with their school districts for a reason. The agreements detail what their employers can expect of them, and what they're required to do. But what about when a principal 'suggests' that something more needs to get done, and requests volunteers?
There's no mandate to do the work, but the pressure certainly exists, along with the message, ignore at your own risk. At least, that's what Hillsborough County Classroom Teachers Association leaders are contending as they negotiate this year's employment deal with the nation's eighth largest public school system.
Reporter Marlene Sokol discusses the union's concerns with union organizer Lindsey Blankenbaker, who worked as a high school social studies teacher before joining the HCCTA staff.
"Go out and watch teachers leaving at the end of the day," Blankenbaker says. "I'll challenge you to find someone who's not walking out with a tote bag or a rolling cart full of papers to grade, or materials to work on."
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Over five years, the Pinellas County, Florida, school district has seen the number of student disciplinary actions drop by almost half. You might think that means kids are behaving better, and schools are running more smoothly. District leaders like to credit the decline to new programs aimed at dealing with problems before they get out of control. But some teachers say that's not necessarily what's happening. Hear Tampa Bay Times reporter Megan Reeves discuss with Jeff Solochek what she learned while looking into the numbers.
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4,000 door locks. 97,000 wrist bands. Hundreds of hires. Millions in upgrades. Summertime offers a break from school to students and teachers. But it's the busy season for districts' maintenance, purchasing, security, transportation and other employees who use the time to prepare for when everyone returns, expecting a smooth start to the learning process. Betsy Kuhn, the Pasco County school district's assistant superintendent for operations, discusses all the work her staff has put into making sure the nearly 80,000-student system is ready for its first day of classes.
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London Eaves is excited to have her very own classroom for the first time. A Florida International University graduate, Eaves said she couldn't have imagined going into any profession other than teaching — despite all the concerns about increasing state mandates, low pay and other woes that many veteran educators have voiced in recent years. Why? Teachers supported and encouraged her as a child, and and she looks forward to making a difference in her own students' lives. Eaves attended new teacher training in her Pasco County district this week, and she spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek about her plans, expectations, and why she wants to teach.
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With demands growing and respect from some declining, many teachers talk about leaving their profession. Not Dre Graham, Florida's 2020 Teacher of the Year. Dr. Graham, a music instructor at King High in Tampa, says whenever the logistics and the mandates drag him down, he remembers the "why" that attracted him to teaching in the first place: Making a positive difference in students' lives. For the next year, Graham will travel the state, serving as an ambassador for education, encouraging all involved to ensure that every student has the opportunities to learn and succeed. Some disruption might be needed. He discusses his thoughts and plans with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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The Hillsborough County school district has struggled to boost some of the lowest performing schools in the state of Florida. Despite several efforts, including cash infusions and outside expert assistance, progress has been slow going. Reporter Marlene Sokol, who covers the nation's eighth-largest school district, discusses the initiatives taken, their pros and cons, and the future of the improvement attempts with assistant superintendent Tricia McManus and Jennings Middle School math team leader April Cobb.
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Growth in contributions to Florida's tax credit scholarship program slowed to the point where supply no longer met the growing demand for assistance to attend private schools. State lawmakers responded by putting millions of taxpayer funds into a school voucher program, to help bridge the gap. And they show no signs of stopping their efforts to expand initiatives aimed at providing alternatives to traditional public schools. Doug Tuthill, president of scholarship funding organization Step Up For Students, sees even less restrictive education savings accounts as the logical next step. Tuthill, whose group influences state policy on vouchers and related measures, discusses with reporter Jeff Solochek the trajectory of the state's "choice" model and his rationale as a liberal for participating in the Republican-led push, which has lately has gained more bipartisan support.
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Megan Harding began the 2018-19 academic year as a classroom teacher in her Pasco County, Florida, elementary school. Within four months, she had won a seat on the local School Board. After having touted herself as best for the job because she understood what goes on in schools, Harding next had to make the transition to policy maker and figure out what exactly that meant. She quickly became a force on the board, convincing colleagues to stream their meetings online and casting several deciding votes on critical issues. But Harding acknowledged she still has much to learn as she fulfills her role as an elected representative.
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In Florida, a high school student's official grade-point average cannot exceed 4.0. Not so in Hillsborough County, the state's third-largest district and the eighth biggest in the nation. Its students can earn an extra 0.04 points for each district-approved honors course in which they receive a C or higher, and an added 0.08 points for every AP, IB, AICE and dual enrollment class. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to rise above, but none more than Newsome High 2019 valedictorian Katherine Metheny, who finished with a 10.58 GPA. District officials said they are unaware of anyone who has ever graduated with a higher GPA. Why did she do it? Was she able to have a life outside of classes too? Metheny talks about her accomplishments, her goals and life as a high achiever with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Several Florida school district leaders lined up to reject the idea of letting classroom teachers carry guns in schools as part of a guardian program even before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law. Bay County superintendent Bill Husfelt was not among them. Husfelt welcomed the initial guardian plan a year ago, and said the expansion of the model would help keep his county's students, employees and schools safe. Already, he said, several teachers are signing up to get trained. Why is his perspective so different from many others? Husfelt discussed his views with reporter Marlene Sokol.
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After 18 months of review and debate, the Hillsborough County school district — the eighth largest system in the nation — has decided to do away with the Indians, Chiefs and Warriors as mascots at elementary and middle schools, while easing away from the names and connected traditions at its high schools. Some places have welcomed the news, while others have balked at any change. Shannon Durant, who chaired the committee leading the effort, discusses the reasons behind the district's approach with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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With leaders’ attention on issues like immigration and health care, 2019 looked like it might not provide too many education-related fireworks for a change.
But just as in years past, the subject matter elicited some of the most heated and passionate debates of the session, with some of the specific ideas taking lawmakers down to the wire before they could adjourn for the year.
Many of the bills that grabbed the most attention came straight from the conservative playbook, whether they passed or not. Vouchers made it through. A Bible course requirement did not. Teachers carrying guns survived. School Board term limits died.
Tallahassee bureau education reporter Emily Mahoney joins Jeff Solochek for a review of the recently ended session, with some hints too of what might come next with the 2020 session set to begin in less than eight months (with committee weeks sooner than that).
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Jackson Francis failed his junior year classes at his high school in Pasco County, Florida. His dad was diagnosed with cancer, and the news "changed my whole who I am." He got moody and emotional, didn't pay attention in class or complete any work. "I literally stopped caring," he recalls. Then Francis got his senior year to-do list from his counselor, detailing what he needed to finish to get his diploma. He thought about dropping out in the face of the mountain of work. Instead, he buckled down. Francis explains to reporter Jeff Solochek what he had to do to get back on track for his May 2019 graduation, and why he did it.
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Many conservatives in Florida contend that parents should have a greater say in the education and care of their children. Schools have a role to play, they say, but should not be allowed to substitute their judgment for that of parents — even when children attempt to assert their own rights to privacy. Florida lawmakers have proposed a new section to state statute outlining the rights they believe parents should have enshrined in law, assuring that school districts and other governments cannot keep them from fully participating in the raising of their children. Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, who helped write the legislation and stands among the most ardent supporters, speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the initiative and why she thinks parents need a stronger voice written into law.
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Thousands of students in Hillsborough County schools — the nation's eighth largest district — struggle to read at grade level, despite years of effort and millions of dollars directed at helping them. Why isn't the system seeing improvement? After talking with dozens of students, teachers and other experts, reporter Marlene Sokol has some insights into what drives the problem. One key takeaway: Reading has become a requirement rather than a passion, making it harder to hold distracted children's interest. She discusses her new special report on reading in this latest Gradebook podcast.
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Florida lawmakers face term limits. Now they’re trying to impose limits on school board members, as well.
An effort by the Constitution Revision Commission to place the idea on the 2018 ballot failed. So the Legislature is working to get the idea on the 2020 ballot, instead.
If approved, the measure would require board members to leave office after completing two consecutive four-year terms. After a break, they could again seek election.
Nick Tomboulides, a Florida resident who is executive director of U.S. Term Limits, has been among the most vocal advocates for the proposal. He explains his support, along with his rebuttal of the arguments opposing the idea, to reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Florida's education policy makers have their eyes focused on pushing their school choice agenda farther than it has gone before. But not everyone is on board — including some of the conservatives who hail from the same side of the political divide. Former Martin County School Board member Tina McSoley has launched a fast-growing Facebook group called Reconstruct-ED, with a goal of trying to sway the conversation, and the policy trajectory, in a different direction. Also a former classroom teacher, who now runs a private education group, McSoley talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about her thoughts on the status quo, and the need to fight back.
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In the Florida Legislature, education issues have been some of the most high profile, impactful and controversial measures to move through the halls, year after year. Yet the voices of opposition to the leadership plans frequently get sidelined, regardless of party.
That leaves it to a new wave of lawmakers to step up to the task, fighting the continuing effort to expand vouchers and scholarships, grow the charter school system and offer more school choice in a manner they see as potentially harmful to the district public schools.
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is among the newest voices in the debate. She didn’t plan to make education a top priority — she didn’t even ask to be on any of the committees. But upon her arrival on the PreK-12 Quality subcommittee, the 28-year-old lawmaker quickly studied up and became one of the more vocal and articulate members who doesn’t agree with what she considers the move to privatize public education.
In her efforts, she seeks compromise when possible, without caving on key positions. She spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek about the variety of issues, from a proposed requirement for Bible courses in high schools to school safety, that she’s already had to weigh in on.
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Several Florida school leaders have said that while they have many excellent teachers, they're not always providing the best teaching possible. Concerns have arisen that they're lessons are below grade level, or perhaps they're not getting students engaged enough with the material. Impact Florida is a new group that arose to help schools find successful instructional models and get them into classrooms. It had its first statewide conference this month, involving officials from school districts representing nearly half of the state's students. Executive director Mandy Clark and chief operating officer Trey Csar talk about their objectives, how Florida's pending standards review will play a role, the connections between schools and outside funders, and more.
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Twenty years ago, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush proposed the state's first school voucher program. His efforts were stymied by the courts. In the years since, state lawmakers have slowly pushed Florida in the direction Bush was headed with his Opportunity Scholarships. This year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature appear poised to push the envelope on vouchers and choice. Their Equal Opportunity Scholarship plan is among several proposals primed to win a reversal of the 2006 court case with Bush's name attached, and change the public education model in Florida. Bush remains active in the testing, accountability and choice model he brought to the state. He speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about what he hoped to see, how he views Florida's march to that goal, and where he expects the system to head next.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to spend state tax money to help families send their children to private schools. In the past, the state's courts have ruled vouchers unconstitutional, driving the creation of a tax-credit scholarship program instead. As that scholarship program has blossomed to the size of a major school district, with demand on the rise, DeSantis aims to blow up the distinction between it and vouchers. "If the taxpayer is paying," he said, "it's public education." But is it, really? We turn to Rutgers University education professor Bruce Baker, author of the School Finance 101 blog and a leading national expert on education finance, to dissect DeSantis' simple, appealing yet controversial statement.
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A year after 17 people were murdered by an armed intruder inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla., a debate rages over whether allowing teachers to carry guns in their classrooms would serve as a useful deterrent to future attacks. We discuss the issue with MSD teacher Sarah Lerner, Moms Demand Action leader Gay Valimont and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
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In a few short weeks in office, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has set the education world abuzz with a series of proposals to change the state's approach to schooling. He wants to overhaul the standards, saying they rely too closely on the Common Core. He's called for eliminating the waiting lists for state funded private-school scholarships. He recommended a new model for teacher performance pay bonuses. And that's not all. Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek discuss the governor's announcements, the needed next steps, and the impact they could have if everything happens according to his playbook.
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Florida lawmakers worked fast to adopt enhanced school safety and security requirements in 2018, after the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland. Perhaps they moved too quickly, though. Kenneth Trump, president of the Ohio-based National School Safety and Security Services, suggests that the legislation — which key leaders have already said needs tweaking — resulted in "some of the most unrealistic, time constrained, and potentially dangerous mandates I have seen from states in my 30+ years in the school safety field." Trump discusses his thoughts and recommendations with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Andrew Pollack is on a mission. After his daughter Meadow was killed while attending Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, he set a goal of finding ways to ensure such a tragedy never again happens. Before leaving office, then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed Pollack to the Florida Board of Education, in part to focus attention on the need to improve school security. Current Gov. Ron DeSantis withdrew the nomination, but Pollack continues to do a board member's work, fully expecting reappointment. He explains to reporter Jeff Solochek why he wants the volunteer job, what his goals are and what he still needs to learn.
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As Florida seeks to fill all its classrooms — a recent survey showed 2,200 vacancies halfway through the year — the need for science and math teachers continues to vex schools. Teachers in those subjects continue to top the state's annual list of critical needs, recently approved by the Florida Board of Education for 2019-20. Are there steps either the state or local school districts can take to find and keep enough teachers in the STEM fields? Talia Milgrom-Elcott, executive director of 100Kin10, speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the possibilities.
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Entering 2019, Florida policy makers have focused on two key areas of concern with regard to public schooling — paying for it, and keeping students and staff safe — within the conservative framework of the newly elected administration and Legislature. With the state's finances "volatile" and the demand for increased security costly, resolving these issues might not be easy. Reporters Lawrence Mower and Jeff Solochek discuss the latest developments in Tallahassee on these hot topics.
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Pam Stewart was counting down the days to her Jan. 8, 2019, retirement. Then suddenly she accepted an added year to her term as Florida education commissioner. Within weeks, she just as abruptly resigned, paving the way for incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis to get his hand-picked replacement, former House Speaker Richard Corcoran, into the seat. With the winter holidays and her final day in office approaching, Stewart figured she'd have some time to wind down and navigate toward life after government service. But she kept working straight through, offering a 15-minute window for a conversation with reporter Jeff Solochek about how she sees Florida education after her tenure, and where she thinks it's headed next.
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Florida has a new education commissioner and new governor to start 2019. They have begun exploring how they plan to tackle issues such as teacher pay, classroom spending and workforce development as they approach their first day on the job. Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek review the discussions that have been taking place leading up to the new administration, as well as the nervous reaction from some of the critics.
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The teaching profession has taken its hits lately, in Florida and across the nation, with morale sagging as lawmakers impose rules that many educators say make the job more of a chore than a craft. Many are heading for the exits, seeking employment where they feel more valued and respected. Yet many more can't see themselves doing anything other than helping prepare children for the world. Count Holly Mickler among them. Mickler, Pasco County's 2018-19 Teacher of the Year, says she often ignores the din of politics and policy so she can focus on her life's calling. It's not always easy, but to her, it's worth it. Hear Mickler talk with reporter Jeff Solochek about how and why she has become, and remains, a successful classroom teacher.
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Across Florida and the nation, teachers have been demanding better pay for the work they do. The concerns surpass just pay, though, as educators see their work loads rise as working conditions deteriorate. It's those non-financial objectives that have the Pinellas County Classroom Teachers Association refusing to accept contract terms with their district, as the academic year nears the end of the first semester. PCTA president Mike Gandolfo talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about what his group wants to see beyond a raise, and how the School Board and Florida Legislature can change their approach to support teachers.
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Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee the week of Dec. 11 to begin committee meetings leading to their 2019 spring session. Education regularly tops the agenda. So we turned to school board members from across the state, representing districts large and small, to ask them what they'd like to see happen by the time the Legislature closes again in May. Hear their views, plus a little insight from Senate Education vice chairman Sen. Bill Montford.
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A week after Election Day 2018, Florida remains knee deep in reviewing the results of some key state races. Not to be lost in the shuffle, though, are some significant outcomes in the Florida education world. Just over a quarter of school board incumbents statewide retired or lost their reelection bids, raising the question of whether that's enough to stop talk of imposing term limits on board members. Every district that asked voters to raise taxes on themselves to support school needs won its referendum. What message does that send to state lawmakers as they approach the 2019 legislative session? Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss these issues and more in the Gradebook's post-election wrap-up.
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It's been a disturbing truth across Florida and the nation: School districts have disproportionately disciplined black students. Hernando County school officials noted the data in their district, and decided to do something about it. They launched a pilot project on three campuses to improve educators' approach to student discipline, without simply ignoring situations, and so far have been satisfied enough with the results to expand the effort to three more schools. Hernando County education reporter Jack Evans joins Jeff Solochek to discuss the program's intentions and implications.
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Florida's tax credit scholarship program, referred to as vouchers by many, is the nation's largest and growing such model. But does it meet the needs of the families it serves? Jason Bedrick, policy director for the national advocacy group EdChoice, co-wrote a report based on a survey of thousands of program participants. He discusses the findings and their implications with reporter Jeff Solochek in this week's Gradebook podcast.
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Schools in Florida and around the nation continue to grapple with how to treat transgender students. Which restrooms and locker rooms should they use? Which gender pronouns should school employees select to refer to the students? Do other students and their families have a right to know? The Sarasota County school district has debated the issues since 2016, when some students demanded their rights not be trampled upon. This week, the district superintendent quietly released a new policy guideline for the treatment of transgender students. Herald-Tribune reporter Elizabeth Djinis joins Times reporter Jeff Solochek for a discussion on the issue, which again has heated up as the Trump administration ponders a more limited definition of gender.
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As a Florida state lawmaker, John Legg often spoke about how the final two years of high school were becoming less important to students who had already passed many of their graduation requirements and could benefit from better preparation for college. As a charter school operator, Legg put many of his ideas into play, creating an "early college" program, in conjunction with a community college, for his school's high school students. Now he's studying the roles of early college, dual enrollment and related concepts for his doctoral thesis, and he discussed with reporter Jeff Solochek the philosophy and research behind rethinking the 11th and 12th grades, with the goal of helping more teens get ready for and then access higher education.
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It's a quarter of the way through Florida's school year, and some schools continue to grapple with implementation of two key requirements, one new and one old. Leaders remain uncertain of exactly how often to run active shooter drills, required by the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act. And they still face complaints and concerns over the student schedules and teacher assignments related to the 2002 class size amendment. In many instances, confusion over the requirements plays a big role in the schools' actions, and community reactions. Reporters Megan Reeves and Jeff Solochek discuss the two issues as they've been playing out in recent weeks.
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Hillsborough County, the nation's eighth largest school district, is asking voters to increase local sales taxes in order to help pay for construction and maintenance projects, including much needed air conditioning repairs. But the district faces hurdles along the way, such as convincing the public it can be a good steward of tax dollars while avoiding outright campaigning, which isn't allowed by law. Reporters Jeff Solochek and Marlene Sokol discuss the referendum, why Hillsborough leaders want it, and why school districts across Florida are left to seek new revenue sources for what many people consider basic expenses.
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Florida's two major party candidates for governor have released their education platforms, and they couldn't have offered a more distinct choice. With the exception of wanting to expand career and technical education, and to pay teachers better, Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum disagree on almost everything. Even their ideas for boosting salaries differ dramatically. Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek dissect their talking points — such as Desantis' dedicating 80 percent of funding to classroom expenses and Gillum's dismantling of charters and corporate tax credit scholarships — as the race heats up heading into the final month of campaigning.
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The Florida Supreme Court officially tossed education-related Amendment 8 off the Nov. 6 ballot, upholding a lower court ruling that found it misleading. But that's not the only proposal to change the constitution that voters face. Reporters Jeff Solochek and Emily Mahoney discuss the Amendment 8 ruling, and what's left on the ballot — including another measure that also could alter the way Florida's school districts operate.
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After the Florida Legislature changed its rules for school choice, the Leon County school district saw an uptick in families forging documents to register their children in preferred schools. Meanwhile, less popular schools sat under capacity, hurting the district's ability to justify new campuses in growing areas. The district took a hard line to root out the offenders and more evenly spread its student population, which also helped increase diversity. Superintendent Rocky Hanna talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about Leon County's address verification efforts, which he says has cost him some friends but is the right thing to do.
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It's a taxing time for the Hillsborough County school district, the nation's eighth largest — and not just in the literal sense of the word. In addition to pursuing a local sales tax increase via voter referendum, itself a contentious issue, the district is poised to lose three of its superintendent's four leading defenders. As residents question the district's credibility, its leaders weigh carefully the next steps. Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the latest week's escapades for one of the nation's biggest school systems.
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Florida's long-running education equity lawsuit, filed by parents, aims to force more money into public schools. First, they have to convince the courts that the issue can be judged. So far, a trial and appellate court have ruled that the constitutional language governing public education is more aspirational than objective. The state Supreme Court will take up the debate in November. In today's podcast, plaintiff's lawyer Jodi Siegel talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about what's happening in the Citizens for Strong Schools case.
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Lawyers headed to Leon County Court on Friday to argue whether Florida's controversial three-pronged proposal to amend the education article of Florida's constitution should actually go before the voters, or if it's too misleading. Judge John Cooper said he planned to rule early next week. Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek review the hearing.
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Monthly active shooter drills. Armed guards on campus. Locked doors and gates. This is the new reality in Florida schools that teachers and students face as they return to classes this week and next. Reporters Jeff Solochek and Megan Reeves discuss the efforts to implement the changes, and the reactions that schools are experiencing.
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After what many saw as a too short summer break, Florida students are about to head back to classes. They'll find new security measures, programs and services when they arrive. Reporter Jeff Solochek and editor Tom Tobin discuss start times, teacher vacancies, water woes and more as 2018-19 approaches.
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The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is asking voters to support a three-pronged amendment to change three areas of education-related law. Its proposal, Amendment 8, faces a legal challenge to remain on the November ballot from the League of Women Voters, which contends the title and summary are misleading. CRC sponsor Erika Donalds, who is leading the Amendment 8 campaign, talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about why she thinks the attacks miss the point.
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Supporters of Florida Constitution Revision Commission Amendment 8 focus on the part that would create school board term limits, viewing it as a popular idea that could push the proposal to the 60 percent vote needed for passage. Critics say the measure goes much further, though — with some potentially devastating provisions that could dramatically change the face of public education. Yet the title and language don't reflect the full scope of the backers' plan, they say. So the Florida League of Women Voters is trying to get Amendment 8 tossed off the November ballot, calling it intentionally misleading. League president Patricia Brigham discusses her group's effort with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Florida's Hernando County school district is proving that not only the biggest systems suffer from politics and infighting. After years of internal disputes, and growing discontent within the general public, the board recently fired superintendent Lori Romano on a 3-2 vote, accusing her of ineffective leadership and other shortcomings. Romano turned around and demanded a hearing where she wants to prove otherwise, as a new district leader tries to cool tempers back down. Hernando County education reporter Megan Reeves joins Jeff Solochek to discuss what's happening in the small, semi-rural district north of Tampa.
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Children who go hungry over the summer often find themselves struggling when they return to school in the fall. A new report shows Florida serves hundreds of thousands of children while school's out, but could do much better. Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research & Action Center discusses the findings with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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Florida has issued school grades for 19 years. And while the marks have prompted some schools to change the way they do business, they also have enraged some people who see the rating system as an unfair, imprecise way to gauge school performance. Mike Petrilli, CEO of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, is a supporter who also sees the need to improve the model. He speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about school grading in Florida, its history and next steps.
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The Hillsborough County school district, eighth largest in the nation, has plenty of concerns, such as low reading scores and financial woes. Its school board would like to seek help from the community, but its political antics continue to raise questions of confidence in the leadership. Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the latest board dispute over Facebook posts, catty comments and more.
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Florida lawmakers did away with teacher professional services continuing contracts — commonly referred to as tenure — in 2011. They argued such a change would lead to improved student performance. Did it work? A new Brookings paper suggests the effect was minimal, if any. Researcher Celeste Carruthers discusses the findings with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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With the rise of Common Core, some conservative Florida groups began taking a closer look at what the schools were teaching. They found "objectionable" material in some districts and raised complaints. To bolster their efforts, they worked with lawmakers to expand the textbook challenge laws. The issue is now coming to a head in Collier County. Keith Flaugh of the Florida Citizens Alliance and Eric Otto, an associate professor of humanities at Florida Gulf Coast University, discuss the debate with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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The 13 Florida school districts that sued the Legislature over its 2017 measure to create a new charter school system received a setback in April in Leon County court. But many of them are moving ahead with an appeal, saying local control of public education is on the line. Pinellas County School Board chairwoman Rene Flowers talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about her panel's decision this week to stick with the suit.
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Teachers in Arizona, Oklahoma, West Virginia and other states have garnered national attention for their strong stands against the way their lawmakers fund public education and schools. Many in Florida have watched and wondered why our teachers don't take a similar stance. Nadia Zananiri, an AP history teacher at Miami Beach High, is one who frequently speaks out on what she sees as the state's absurd education policies (hence the name of her blog, Kafkateach). And she encourages others to do the same, though she understands the fear many have — particularly the growing number of teachers on annual contracts. Zananiri speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the things she thinks Florida teachers should and could do to raise awareness to their positions.
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The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association has been at odds with the school district over pay for the past year. It's not walking out of school, though. The group has taken its case to a special magistrate, who will decide whether the faculty or the administration has a better case. Reporter Marlene Sokol discusses the impasse, as well as her conversations with students leading school safety walkouts and rallies, in this week's Gradebook podcast.
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Florida lawmakers recently created a program to allow schools to have armed employees on campus, as part of an expanded security measure. Most superintendents and school boards have balked. But not the folks in Bay County, in Florida's Panhandle. The district surveyed staff and found nearly 60 percent supported the idea, so it's now exploring how to get it in place. Superintendent Bill Husfelt talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about his district's security plans in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting in February.
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A Manatee County teenager went to high school without wearing a bra. Administrators said she was distracting other students, and told her to change. They also offered her bandages to cover up. She claimed she was being harassed, and complained publicly. The story has gone viral. We turn to ACLU lawyer Nancy Abudu to discuss dress codes, student rights and school responsibilities.
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Florida lawmakers require certain state end-of-course exams count as 30 percent of a student's grade in that class. But the state doesn't give school districts a formula for how to include that score. And many districts do it differently. Education activist Sue Woltanski wrote about the discrepancies in her blog, and she talks about why she thinks the system is unfair with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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The Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which meets once every 20 years, narrows the number of education proposals it seeks to put before voters in November. Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek discuss the provisions under consideration, such as school board member term limits and a state charter school authorizer.
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Students across Florida and the nation are finding their voice in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February. Citrus County high school senior Nick Lahera is among a growing group seeking public office to ensure their views gain a wider platform.
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Reporters Jeff Solochek and Emily Mahoney review the 2018 Florida legislative session, which ended Sunday, and how it affected state education policy and spending.
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Reporters Jeff Solochek and Emily Mahoney review Florida's debate over creating a 'guardians' program for its schools, plus other odds and ends as the 2018 legislative session rolls to a close.
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Reporters Jeff Solochek and Emily Mahoney discuss the latest developments on school safety and education policy legislation moving through the Florida Legislature.
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The Parkland school shooting influences everything edition by Tampa Bay Times
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So there's a shooter at my kids' school? What should we do? by Tampa Bay Times
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Fifty years after the strike by Tampa Bay Times
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The "Reality check, it's going to pass anyway" edition by Tampa Bay Times
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The "There will be fireworks" edition by Tampa Bay Times
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The Whistleblower by Tampa Bay Times
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Behind the state's searing appraisal of Hillsborough schools by Tampa Bay Times
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On Florida's testing system, with FairTest's Bob Schaeffer by Tampa Bay Times
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A Democratic perspective on the coming 2018 session by Tampa Bay Times
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On education foundation ties to school districts by Tampa Bay Times
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Is sixth grade too young for school sports? by Tampa Bay Times
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Intimidation? Or what? by Tampa Bay Times
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A parent's perspective on Florida constitution revision by Tampa Bay Times
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On Hope Scholarships, with Rep. Byron Donalds by Tampa Bay Times
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On Hillsborough County's teacher pay dispute by Tampa Bay Times
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On Florida's constitution revision and technical high schools by Tampa Bay Times
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On the Hillsborough County school district's image issues by Tampa Bay Times
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On HB 7069, with Palm Beach superintendent Robert Avossa by Tampa Bay Times
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On mental health, tax credit scholarships, early education and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Hillsborough County schools propose new bell times by Tampa Bay Times
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Constitution revision on the rise, Puerto Rican students on the way by Tampa Bay Times
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Do Florida's tax credit scholarships work? Are Florida's schools becoming more segregated? by Tampa Bay Times
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When students sit out the Pledge of Allegiance, and more by Tampa Bay Times
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After the storm: Will the public look differently at Florida's public schools? by Tampa Bay Times
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Routine matters as schools return from Irma by Tampa Bay Times
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Going back to school after Irma by Tampa Bay Times
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Overheated schools, board member term limits and more by Tampa Bay Times
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On hate speech at UF, and ed reform in the Florida Legislature by Tampa Bay Times
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Polk School Board member Billy Townsend on reforming Florida education by Tampa Bay Times
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Back to school, and session, in Florida by Tampa Bay Times
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Is Florida's funding formula really "educational welfare"? by Tampa Bay Times
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The fight over Florida district finances by Tampa Bay Times
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Why is Hillsborough County teacher Ryan Haczynski blogging? by Tampa Bay Times
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The fight against Florida's newest education law by Tampa Bay Times
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Budget woes, charter school fraud and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Charter school fraud, budget woes and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Sen. Jack Latvala explains what happened on HB 7069 by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Legislature takeaways, test results, political activity and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: How long should a principal get to turn around a school? by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Budgets, pre-k, achievement gap and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Third-grade test results, veto pressure, Bright Futures and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: A school board member's reluctant opposition to HB 7069 by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Pushing for a veto, bills that missed and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Florida's legislative session, an education post mortem by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Testing, budgets, and the waning hours of Florida's legislative session by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: To stand or not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Dividing students by race, creating more charter schools and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Pinellas Co. teachers union president Mike Gandolfo on annual contracts by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Trains, growth and joyous classrooms by Tampa Bay Times
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An interview with Hillsborough Co. superintendent Jeff Eakins by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: School on Good Friday, success for English language learners and more by Tampa Bay Times
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Collier Co. School Board member Erika Donalds on Florida's Constitution Revision Commission by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Florida's legislative session at halftime, and school start times by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Bright Futures at 20 and college predictors of success by Tampa Bay Times
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With five weeks left before the Florida legislative session ends, reporter Jeff Solochek and editor Tom Tobin explore a bill aimed at tighter turnarounds for troubled schools, a big disagreement over property taxes and a local mixup that has some people talking about whether we still need to have valedictorians and salutatorians.
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Gradebook podcast: Getting a real look inside schools, not the 'dog and pony version' by Tampa Bay Times
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Gradebook podcast: Florida education legislation on the move, turnaround schools and more by Tampa Bay Times
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