Florida considers timeline for ESSA revision

Just before the holiday break, Florida education officials asked the federal government for a reprieve on a quick turnaround of revisions to the state's Every Student Succeeds Act plan.

The U.S. Department of Education had called for improvements to the plan, and gave the state until Jan. 4 to get them in.

Shortly after Florida education commissioner Pam Stewart asked for an extension, she got a response. When, the feds wanted to know, would the state like to set its resubmission date?

So far, department spokeswoman Cheryl Etters said, the state has not responded.

But it looks like they'll have some extra time to complete the work, which is to include definitions for all languages present "to a significant extent" in the state's schools.  Observers have been waiting for that information, with hopes it might lead to added pressure on Florida to offer testing in languages other than English. Stay tuned.