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ICYMI: Florida education news in review, week of Jan. 14, 2019

A collection of news and views from the past week.
 
In this Monday, July 30, 2018 photo, a Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) trainer, center, watches two Broward County Public Schools newly-hired armed guardians during firearms training at BSO's gun range at Markham Park in Sunrise, Fla. Twenty-two of the Florida school districts are supplementing officers with "guardians" - armed civilians or staff. They are vetted, receive 132 hours of training and must attain a higher score on the state firearms test than rookie police officers. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
In this Monday, July 30, 2018 photo, a Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) trainer, center, watches two Broward County Public Schools newly-hired armed guardians during firearms training at BSO's gun range at Markham Park in Sunrise, Fla. Twenty-two of the Florida school districts are supplementing officers with "guardians" - armed civilians or staff. They are vetted, receive 132 hours of training and must attain a higher score on the state firearms test than rookie police officers. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Published Jan. 19, 2019

The new-look Florida Supreme Court will have a more conservative bent, and that could mean big changes in Florida education policy. The Senate president is predicting possibly bold action on issues such as vouchers, with committees still receiving bills for consideration. Read on for that and more news.

Top of the Times

These school districts tried to arm coaches. It’s harder than it sounds., Katherine Campione, Vincent McDonald and Christina Morales

“Some small districts struggled to recruit enough so-called school guardians to keep their schools safe. Levy County launched a program, only to have nobody apply for weeks. Others had trouble with the guardians they hired. In Duval County, a school safety assistant was arrested for pawning a service weapon issued to him by the school district. In Hillsborough, a school security deputy resigned after exposing students to pepper spray. The problems have piled up, largely unnoticed, even as the concept of vastly expanding the controversial program has gathered momentum.”

State Board of Education eyes changes to school safety law, bullying scholarship, Emily Mahoney

“The State Board of Education had its first and only meeting before the Legislative session begins in March and the board members indicated that they hope lawmakers revisit some of the most heated issues in education. School safety was constantly mentioned as a top priority for this year, by all members but especially by Andrew Pollack, the father of Meadow Pollack who was killed in last year’s shooting in Parkland.”

Florida class size violations rise as school districts struggle with teacher shortfall, Jeffrey S. Solochek

“The number of Florida classrooms and schools failing to meet the state’s 2002 class-size rules jumped in 2018, despite a growing number of districts taking advantage of a loophole allowing them to use school-wide averages rather than classroom counts.”

DOCUMENTS: See the latest state class size memorandums

Visit tampabay.com for more education news from the Times staff.

Around the State

Broward Sheriff's Office to see schools' live security feeds under new agreement, Sun-Sentinel, Scott Travis

“The Broward Sheriff’s Office will have access to live feeds from school security cameras, under an agreement approved Tuesday by the Broward County School Board. The access will be restricted to certain emergency situations, such as when a threat is reported about the school, a 911 call is received from the school or nearby and when the school requests assistance. The Sheriff’s Office won’t be able to do general surveillance for non-law enforcement or emergency purposes, under the agreement.”

Galvano says Supreme Court makeover could prompt ‘bold’ education reforms, Herald-Tribune, Zac Anderson

“State Senate President Bill Galvano told a Sarasota business audience Tuesday that the more conservative Florida Supreme Court being fashioned by Gov. Ron DeSantis could pave the way for education reforms that had been struck down in the past.”

Should cellphones be banned in Sarasota schools?, Herald-Tribune, Elizabeth Djinis

“What if the policy said: no cellphones at school from the beginning of the school day until its end? That’s something at least two School Board members, School Board Chairwoman Jane Goodwin and Board Member Bridget Ziegler, are interested in considering in some form when the policy comes up for a standard review by the board in February.”

School closures likely with high repair bills and lower student population for Bay District Schools after Hurricane Michael, Panama City News Herald, Genevieve Smith

“Bay District Schools will soon be facing some tough decisions in regard to the future. With attendance data showing a possible loss of up to 4,700 students and between $250 to $300 million in upcoming repairs, it is likely some schools will no longer be necessary or financially viable to keep open, said Superintendent Bill Husfelt.”

Other Views

School choice: The more options the better, Orlando Sentinel, Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week

“Because diversity is such a strength of our country, it’s important for us to preserve and celebrate that diversity. What does that mean for our schools?”

Brevard and Florida teachers don't get paid enough. Here are the reasons why, Florida Today columnist Isadora Rangel

“Here’s the thing about Florida, in particular Brevard: We love low taxes — I do and you probably do, too — and our lawmakers love coming home and touting tax cuts. What often doesn’t get discussed is what we have to give away for that benefit. “

Charter schools can help underserved students realize the American Dream, Miami Herald guest column, Fort Lauderdale attorney Ed Pozzuoli

“For years, non-educational reasons have dictated policy that has bound the very neediest of students to failing schools. Children have been judged on their Zip code, their neighborhood or their family’s income. Over time, the dreams of poor and underserved children were frustrated by their lack of knowledge, basic skills and experience. The introduction of educational choice has begun to provide additional options to parents who, until recently, had little or no other options than to attend a failing public school in their home Zip code. Educational options have been heartily embraced by parents of more than 300,000 students in Florida now being educated by public charter schools.”

FL: The Unsurprising Teacher "Shortage," Curmudgucation blog, Peter Greene

“Let’s hope that other states are paying attention. Because Florida doesn’t really have a teacher shortage. What they have is a slow-motion teacher walkout, with teachers walking out because they just can’t take it anymore.”

Better schools require funding, Ocala Star-Banner editorial

“If DeSantis really wants to improve public education, he’s going to have to direct more funding toward schools — and a truly honest approach would boost school funding without soaking local taxpayers, who often bear the brunt of educational spending increases.”

Reports of Note

Examining the New Phenomenon of Teachers as Brand Ambassadors, National Education Policy Center

“Teacher-focused brand ambassador programs create partnerships between teachers and private firms. Although they are framed as opportunities for teachers to supplement their classroom with new educational products that would otherwise be financially out of reach, brand ambassador programs raise ethical questions and create potential conflicts of interest. It is unclear whether a teacher who participates in a brand ambassador program would have chosen a different lesson or approach but for the contractual obligation to the product. Because of this, teachers are at risk of violating state and district conflict-of-interest policies. Meanwhile, students become the captive audience for the firm’s marketing efforts.”

Coming Up

Jan. 22-24: Education Practices Commission, West Palm Beach

Jan. 22: House Education, 11 a.m. • Senate Education, 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 23: Senate Education Appropriations, 1:30 p.m. • House PreK-12 Innovation, 1:30 p.m. • House Higher Education Appropriations, 4 p.m. • House PreK-12 Quality, 4 p.m.

Jan. 24: House PreK-12 Appropriations, 9 a.m. • House Higher Education and Career Readiness, 9 a.m.

Jan. 30-31: Florida Board of Governors, Florida International University

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