INVESTING IN EDUCATION: Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who proposed cutting education funding by 10 percent a year ago, is singing a different tune this year, columnist Steve Bousquet writes.

CRITICAL VACANCY: Observers suggest that the Pinellas School Board District 7 seat should be filled with someone from the African-American community. Lew Williams, who held the seat until his recent passing, held a commitment to education for all that should be respected, the Times editorializes.

DON'T MAKE IT TOO HARD: Several superintendents urge the Florida Board of Education not to set the FCAT passing score for 10th grade reading too high, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

FOUR-DAY WEEKS: Marion superintendent Jim Yancey heads to Kentucky to observe a district that operates four days a week as Marion prepares to do the same, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

BRIGHT FUTURE: The McKeel charter schools in Polk County see growth ahead, the Lakeland Ledger reports.

CHARTERS FOR ADULTS: Rep. Janet Adkins files a bill to allow the creation of charter schools for adult education, taking the work away from public school districts, the Florida Times-Union reports.

HEALTHY LUNCHES: Private schools around Lee County don't wait for Congress to improve the nutrition of school meals, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

PARENTS SEEK CHARTER: Residents of a rural Palm Beach community ask the county to rezone land in order to place a charter school there, the Palm Beach Post reports.