Florida's public school grades hold steady despite higher standards
Even with an increase in writing standards this year, the grades of Florida's public elementary, middle and non-high-school combination schools remained relatively stable according to the 2011 school grades results released today. As a result, more than three-quarters of these schools continue to be high performing (receiving either an "A" or "B"). Some positive exceptions to this stability include gains in the number of elementary schools graded "A" (82 additional "A" schools) and a reduction of 13 schools graded "F" (44 in 2010 to 31 in 2011).
"Our teachers, principals and school district leaders deserve tremendous credit this year for answering the call of higher standards with resounding success," said Education Commissioner John L. Winn. [Source: Florida Department of Education]
» Look up your school or county, see the Florida School Grades Database, from FDOE
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Lee Farkas -- Ex-Taylor, Bean and Whitaker chief -- sentenced to 30 years
An executive convicted of orchestrating a $3 billion fraud as chairman of one of America's largest private mortgage companies has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Federal prosecutors in northern Virginia had sought a life sentence on Thursday for Lee. B. Farkas, former chairman of Ocala-based Taylor Bean & Whitaker. They called the case against him one of the most significant arising from the nation's financial meltdown. A federal jury in Alexandria convicted Farkas in April of all 14 counts, including securities fraud and conspiracy. [Source: AP]
» Related, from Florida Trend:
Lee Farkas is a 'dubious achiever'
Column: Scott's actions belie his claims about ratings
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says he doesn't care about his historically low approval ratings, but his actions tell a different story.
Scott has written letters of praise for himself and encouraging supporters to download them from his website and send to newspapers to create a fake buzz about his performance. "While politicians usually disappoint us and rarely keep their promises, Rick is refreshing because he's keeping his word," the letters written by his campaign state. On Monday, the letters became fodder for an episode of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, with comedian Stephen Colbert saying Scott "courageously posted this letter of praise for himself" to boost his popularity. The letter-writing campaign is part of a bigger strategy to reverse what has been one of the worst starts for a Florida governor in the last 25 years.
[Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune]
Humana patients must switch docs
7,000 Medicare Advantage plan members who get their primary care from University of Florida Physicians in Jacksonville will have to change their primary care physicians.
74 practitioners will be dropped from Humana's Medicare network as of Aug. 31, the company and UF confirmed on Wednesday. Because Medicare enrollees are in the "lock-in" period until the end of the year, they can't switch plans, so they must change doctors.
Humana sent letters out to the affected members on Wednesday, said spokesman Mitch Lubitz. "We're reassuring our members this week that there will be no disruption in their health insurance coverage or benefits during the transition, and that we have extensive alternative (primary care physicians) in our Jacksonville Medicare Advantage provider network."
[Source: Health News Florida]
Busy holiday travel weekend expected
Going somewhere this July 4 weekend?
High gas prices — about 90 cents a gallon more than last year — may keep more Floridians home this holiday. Still, about 10 percent of Florida's population will be traveling, AAA estimates, so expect a noticeable increase in both traffic and troopers on the highways. While most travelers drive, AAA forecasts a considerable boost in air passengers because gas prices are making flying a more viable option, even with recent fare hikes.
[Source: Miami Herald]
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Florida Sustainables
 Professor Stephen Miller (left) and grad student Ryan Martin accept the 2011 Cade Prize for Innnovation. [Photo: Doug Finger / The Gainesville Sun] |
Gainesville startup Florida Sustainables won the second annual $50,000 Cade Prize for Innovation earlier this summer. The company, formerly called Sestar Sustainables, was created by University of Florida chemistry professor Stephen Miller and graduate student Ryan Martin. It creates sustainable materials, particularly biodegradable polymers that are designed to replace petroleum-based plastics.
The other finalists for the Cade Prize were Sol-Gel Solutions, the maker of an advanced air filtration system, Optima Neuroscience, which produces a brain monitor and software that simplifies diagnosis, and Xobotix, designer of a passive dynamic exoskeleton enabling severely handicapped people to walk. More at the Cade Museum website.
Video below showcases the top four finalists for the Cade Prize: