Florida lawmakers reconsider teacher pay, contract laws
More than a decade ago, Florida lawmakers rewrote the rules for how school districts can offer pay raises to teachers, heavily emphasizing performance-based standards over other considerations. After hearing complaints for years, especially from more veteran educators who stuck with continuing contracts, some in the Legislature want to shift back in the other direction. They say change is necessary as Florida’s average teacher salary hovers near the bottom nationally, and the cost of living keeps rising. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
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» Florida educators urge lawmakers to prioritize public school funding, teacher pay
Florida education advocates call for repeal of Schools of Hope co-location law
Florida’s Schools of Hope law, which allows charter schools to share space with public schools, remains a contentious issue. The law permits charter schools to “co-locate” within public school buildings, but parents and public school advocates are voicing strong opposition to recent proposed rule changes by the state Department of Education. [Source: News 4 Jax]
Column: Why Florida must lead on AI guardrails for students
Florida has historically led the nation when it comes to educational innovation. We aren’t afraid to embrace new technology, provided it expands student potential, strengthens classroom learning, and mitigates foreseeable harms. But as generative AI begins to redefine how our students learn, research, and even form relationships, we find ourselves at a crossroads: How do we balance our commitment to innovation with the need to protect young people from the harms that exist in today’s digital environment? [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida schools warned: Encouraging student protests could lead to disciplinary action for teachers
The Florida Department of Education sent out a memo Tuesday to statewide school districts, warning staff members against encouraging student protests. In a post on X, Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said the department would not tolerate “educators encouraging school protests and pushing their political views onto students.” More from News 4 Jax and WFLA.
University and college ‘guardian’ bill moving forward in Florida
An effort to expand the armed “school guardian” program to colleges and universities, following a deadly on-campus shooting near the Capitol last year, took another step forward in the House Tuesday. Calling for select post-secondary employees to be trained and armed, the Education & Employment Committee unanimously backed the proposal (HB 757) that builds on changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› New report shows how College of Central Florida helps boost the local economy
In just one year, the impact of increased earnings of College of Central Florida alumni and the regional businesses that employ them is equivalent to the economic boost of hosting the Super Bowl, according to a new report. The College of Central Florida’s economic value to Citrus, Levy and Marion counties in the 2023-2024 fiscal year is quantified in an independent report provided to the Association of Florida Colleges by Lightcast, a labor market analytics firm. CF’s total annual impact was $507.7 million in added income.
› A year later, new Broward schools watchdog hasn’t yet released findings of investigations
A year after the Broward School District contracted with the county’s Office of Inspector General to help it root out waste, fraud and abuse, the watchdog agency has yet to produce any reports identifying problems. Inspector General Carol “Jodie” Breece told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that her office currently has five active cases it’s investigating involving the school district and has reviewed more than 130 tips. But the office has released nothing so far that recommends changes to a school district that has been dogged for years by complaints of corruption and mismanagement.
› State of Florida to cover Duval Schools’ legal defense in free-speech suits by teachers
A Tallahassee law firm with ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis will represent Duval Schools in two federal free-speech lawsuits brought by educators, and the state Department of Education will pay the district’s bill. Duval Schools has meanwhile closed its investigations of the teachers — Hope McMath and Haley Bartlett — which it opened amid complaints about their social media posts.
› Eckerd College president to retire next year
Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli will retire in 2027, college leaders announced on Wednesday. Annarelli served as interim president in 2022, and was appointed president the next year. He has been at Eckerd for more than 30 years, and served most them as dean of students or in other administrative positions. Before then, he was a theology professor and authored the book “Academic Freedom and Catholic Higher Education.”