Florida education news: Classroom spending, reading lessons, charter schools and more

CLASSROOM EXPENSES: The panel advising Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis on education issues says the state must set clear, common definitions for terms such as "spending" and "classroom" while exploring DeSantis' goal of directing more money into classroom instruction. The group also discussed ideas relating to improved teacher pay models. A separate committee focusing on the economy recommends looking into boosting educational opportunities in heavily poor and minority communities, Florida Politics reports.

READING LESSONS: Hillsborough County school district officials turn their attention to bolstering literacy skills of the youngest students.

CHARTER SCHOOLS: A Pasco County charter school, founded by education commissioner-select Richard Corcoran's wife, wins permission to expand its enrollment.

CONTRACT TALKS: Representatives for Pasco County teachers and the school district make limited progress in negotiations, but again stop short of declaring impasse.

STUDENT COUNTS: Florida's overall school enrollment falls 17,000 students short of projections, the News Service of Florida reports.

GRADUATION RATES: Florida's high school graduation rate rises to new heights, along with that of local districts, which celebrate the results, the Miami Herald reports. More from Orlando Sentinel.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH: A lengthy state review of alleged graduation rate inflation could stall the Manatee County School Board's plan to offer interim superintendent Cynthia Saunders the permanent position, the Herald-Tribune reports.

TEACHER DISCIPLINE: A fired Okaloosa County teacher has her state certification suspended for a year, the Northwest Florida Daily News reports. • A St. Johns County teacher is placed on two years probation over an allegation she slapped a 6-year-old student's hand, the St. Augustine Record reports.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: A Polk County school bus driver is allowed to drive routes days after a crash with students on board, the Ledger reports.

BAD ACTS: A Palm Beach County high school student is arrested on accusations he struck the dean of students with his truck several times in the school parking lot, the Palm Beach Post reports.

ICYMI: Yesterday's Florida education news roundup