NATIONAL LEADER: Florida breaks into the top five for state passing rate on Advanced Placement exams.

EASING OFF: Pasco superintendent Kurt Browning agrees to make optional several tests that had been district mandates.

JUST SAY NO: Dozens of students and supporters turn out to urge the Hernando School Board to stop school bullying.

NEW LEADER: The Manatee school district picks Minneapolis schools CEO Rick Mills as its next superintendent, the Herald-Tribune reports. More from the Bradenton Herald. • The St. Lucie School Board hires a national consultant to help its superintendent search, the St. Lucie Tribune reports.

DUMP IT: A task force recommends outsourcing part of the Broward school transportation department to see if outsiders can run the system better, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

COMPASSION: Marion school and teacher leaders rewrite a portion of their contract so teachers can donate unused sick time to each other as one teacher suffers advanced pancreatic cancer, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

RETENTION: Hoping not to lose any more information technology staff, the Polk School Board approves bonuses for those employees, the Ledger reports.

SUSPENDED: The University of Central Florida bans all Greek activities on campus as officials investigate complaints of hazing and alcohol abuse, the Orlando Sentinel reports.