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Jeffrey S. Solochek - Education Reporter
Jeffrey S. Solochek

Education Reporter

I've been an education reporter for more than 25 years, in Illinois, Texas and Florida. Why stick with it? Because I see education as key to our community, whether it's about children learning, teachers and staff working, or residents seeking the best for their tax dollars. Our school systems are critical to our society, and I strive to tell you what's going on there. I've worked at the Tampa Bay Times since 2000, covering statewide education issues as well as the districts in Hernando, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Think I've missed something? Send your ideas my way. I read all my emails.

  1. Field already getting crowded in wide-open Pasco school board race
    • The Education Gradebook
    Megan Harding is the only incumbent Pasco County school member who has stated her plan to seek reelection in 2026. Three seats are up for election.
  2. New College denies status to retired professor who questioned Corcoran
    • The Education Gradebook
    Amy Reid, a former professor of French language and director of gender studies program at New College of Florida, was denied emerita status by president Richard Corcoran.
  3. Florida aims to ensure voucher money ‘follows the student’ as intended
    • The Education Gradebook
    Florida lawmakers are reviewing the state's school voucher funding model to better ensure that the money awarded to students is more accurately tracked and disbursed.
  5. How to fix Florida’s voucher funding snags? Parents, lawmakers want answers
    • The Education Gradebook
    Florida Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, chairperson of the House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee, has held two hearings in October aimed at identifying and fixing funding problems in the state's school voucher program.
  6. Florida Head Start programs feeling the effects of federal shutdown
    • The Education Gradebook
    Government_Shutdown_Federal_Workers_19739.jpg
  7. Pinellas school board ponders using AI weapon detection systems
    • The Education Gradebook
    Students line up outside Hollywood Hills High School in Hollywood, waiting to pass through metal detectors, on the first day of school in Broward County in 2024. Pinellas County's school district is considering implementing two weapon detection systems enabled with artificial intelligence at two schools in the spring, though some officials are concerned about lines to get in.
  8. Pinellas warns about 600 seniors they might not walk at graduation
    • The Education Gradebook
    A Victory High School student adjusts her cap before the start of a graduation ceremony at Calvary Chapel Worship Center in Pinellas Park in May.
  9. Florida schools see wellness rooms as way to help student mental health
    • The Education Gradebook
    Sligh Middle School in Tampa is part of a trend to use "wellness rooms" to help students cope with mental health issues.
  10. How did Florida’s Schools of Hope debate arise?
    • The Education Gradebook
    IDEA Victory is the first School of Hope charter school to open in Tampa. Lawmakers recently made it easier for Schools of Hope to enter Florida, including by claiming unused space in public district schools.
  11. Schools left out of Florida House property tax reduction plan
    • The Education Gradebook
    Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, speaks during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla.
  12. Florida schools continue to grapple with state diversity rules
    • The Education Gradebook
    Polk State College, led by president Angela Garcia Falconetti, has canceled its Introduction to African-American Studies course.
  13. Library book battles cost Florida school districts big money
    • The Education Gradebook
    Third grader Macarius Clark decides between which library book he wants to read during a summer reading camp at Westgate Elementary School in St. Petersburg. Debates over which books belong in Florida school libraries are costing some school districts hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  14. Pinellas school teachers, support staff get raises approved
    • The Education Gradebook
    Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association leaders discuss pay proposals with school district officials during collective bargaining on Sept. 8. The school board approved their contract agreement on Tuesday.
  15. 2 Pinellas schools get new principals
    • The Education Gradebook
    Skycrest Elementary in Clearwater is getting a new principal.
  16. Florida schools debate open space as charter schools seek access
    • The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County closed Just Elementary School in 2023 amid concerns of low enrollment. Several districts across Florida are discussing how to best use their vacant classrooms, as charter schools eye access to the space.
  17. Hernando schools first to use Florida’s chaplain program
    • The Education Gradebook
    The Hernando County school district is the first in Florida to permit volunteer chaplains to work with students under a 2024 state law.
  18. Pasco schools health insurance plan irks employees
    • The Education Gradebook
    The Hudson PreK-12 Campus on Cobra Way includes a primary school, middle grades academy, high school and district wellness center. Officials are encouraging employees to use one of the district's six wellness centers to offset their health care expenses amid rising insurance costs.
  19. Florida school districts prepare for influx of Schools of Hope
    • The Education Gradebook
    IDEA Victory was the first School of Hope charter school in Tampa. Others are expected after state lawmakers changed the rules making it easier for Schools of Hope to operate.
  20. Miami charter school group seeking foothold in dozens of Tampa Bay schools
    • The Education Gradebook
    James Elementary in Tampa is among the schools targeted by Miami charter school group Mater Academy in letters sent to school districts across the state under an expansion of the Schools of Hope program.
  21. Charter operators seek move into Florida public schools under new law
    • The Education Gradebook
    Sarasota County schools superintendent Terry Connor has raised concerns about a charter school operator's proposal to occupy space in three Sarasota district campuses.
  22. Florida schools, universities still dealing with Charlie Kirk legacy
    • The Education Gradebook
    Charlie Kirk at the protest Thursday October 10th, 2019 at the University of Florida. Kirk interacted with protesters and supporters while also taking time to promote his organization, Turning Point USA, upcoming event. A state lawmaker wants UF to rename Stadium Road after Kirk.
  23. Pasco schools declare 5th grade science ‘emergency’ after early testing
    • The Education Gradebook
    The Pasco County school district has prioritized improving fifth grade science lessons after seeing early progress monitoring results.
  24. Trump administration orders Florida schools to end courses for Latino teens
    • The Education Gradebook
    The U.S. Department of Education has called on schools to end programs it says give any special advantages to one demographic group over another.