Notice

Your privacy is important to us. We have updated our privacy policy to better explain how we use data on this site. Read it here

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Gradebook podcast: Florida school security — Have active shooter drills made you anxious yet?

By Jeffrey Solochek
Published:

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.

Related coverage: Florida's sobering new focus on school security creates a challenge: How to protect and not stoke fear. 

Comments
ICYMI: Florida education news in review, week of Aug. 12, 2018

ICYMI: Florida education news in review, week of Aug. 12, 2018

Florida’s schools aren’t getting enough qualified applicants to fill all their teaching jobs. Even the once unconvinced state Board of Education is acknowledging the issue. The question is, what to do about it. Teachers will say, stop mic...
Updated: 1 hour ago
Students, parents complain about 30-minute lunches in Pasco schools

Students, parents complain about 30-minute lunches in Pasco schools

Back in May, Pasco County school district officials moved to streamline schools' daily schedules to ensure every student gets the same amount of education.The action came after the district found not every school operated the same, as it tried to pla...
Published: 08/17/18
Pinellas releases videos it will show kids before active shooter drills in schools

Pinellas releases videos it will show kids before active shooter drills in schools

The Pinellas County school system has released three videos it plans to show students in the coming days in preparation for the "active assailant drills" that are to begin soon in schools.Kindergarden through second grade:Grades 3-5:Middle and high s...
Published: 08/17/18
Gradebook podcast: Should Amendment 8 remain on Florida’s November ballot?

Gradebook podcast: Should Amendment 8 remain on Florida’s November ballot?

The Leon County Courthouse was the scene Friday for the first of what looks to be several showdowns over the fate of Amendment 8, a Constitution Revision Commission proposal to change portions of the state constitution's education article.The proposa...
Published: 08/17/18
Everything you need to know about who’s running for Hernando’s School Board

Everything you need to know about who’s running for Hernando’s School Board

More seats than not are contested on the Hernando County School Board this year, meaning local education politics could soon look very different. Or not, considering that two of three races have incumbents vying to keep their spots.The Aug. 28 primar...
Published: 08/17/18
Florida education news: Teacher shortage, school board campaigns, campus security and more

Florida education news: Teacher shortage, school board campaigns, campus security and more

TEACHER SHORTAGE: Florida Board of Education members acknowledge the state's ability to fill its teaching jobs is worsening, and say they want to find solutions. Two Democrats running for governor tell local teachers that they'd work t...
Published: 08/17/18
Dems vow to raise teacher pay

Dems vow to raise teacher pay

School leaders filled the Hillsborough High School auditorium Thursday to hear pitches from two of this year's Democratic candidates for governor.They were a study in contrasts as they addressed the Hillsborough Association of School Administrators: ...
Published: 08/16/18
Updated: 08/17/18
Teachers complain about campaign material in their email

Teachers complain about campaign material in their email

This post has been updated with the candidate's response.Laurie Rodriguez opened her Hillsborough County School District email and found a campaign flyer for Steve Cona, a builders association executive who is running for School Board.Rodriguez, a te...
Published: 08/16/18
Florida’s teacher shortage is ‘real, and it’s going to get worse,’ State Board of Ed member worries

Florida’s teacher shortage is ‘real, and it’s going to get worse,’ State Board of Ed member worries

As millions of Florida's school children returned to classes this week, many schools struggled to find enough teachers greet and teach them."We are very concerned about the growing teacher shortage," Cathy Boehme of the Florida Education Associa...
Published: 08/16/18
Florida education news: Budgets, audits, board races and more

Florida education news: Budgets, audits, board races and more

BUDGETS: Florida Board of Education members say local school districts should have more flexibility in how they spend their resources, while kicking off planning for their next legislative budget request. Teacher salaries and school security top...
Published: 08/16/18