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Will Florida teachers have their jobs in the fall?

A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
 
Aaron Corrales, 10, left, talks with his fifth-grade teacher Jessica Morgan about the book Esperanza Rising. Florida teachers will get more time to renew their professional credentials, including certification and reading endorsements, because Covid-19 has postponed the classes they need.
Aaron Corrales, 10, left, talks with his fifth-grade teacher Jessica Morgan about the book Esperanza Rising. Florida teachers will get more time to renew their professional credentials, including certification and reading endorsements, because Covid-19 has postponed the classes they need. [ OCTAVIO JONES | Times ]
Published May 14, 2020

While campuses have been closed for K-12 students, programs for their teachers to renew their certifications and endorsements also have shut down. That’s led to concerns that some teachers could lose their licensure, and as a result their jobs, before they can complete the work. The state has offered what officials hope will be a workaround. Then all teachers have to worry about is whether the budget will be strong enough to keep them. Read on for that and more Florida education news.

Because of Covid-19 closures, Florida teachers have had trouble completing recertification requirements. The Department of Education will give them more time.

Distance learning in response to the virus has many worried about the “Covid-19 slide.” Hillsborough County schools will focus on overcoming the learning losses with virtual summer courses.

Some parents need to get back to work. Pasco County schools are preparing to reopen their child care program in June.

Planning to get back into schools longer term will take time. A State Board member calls for the Department of Education to establish a task force for ideas, Florida Politics reports. Commissioner Richard Corcoran said thanks for the idea, but didn’t commit, the News Service of Florida reports. • The department already has received input from several interested parties, WFTS reports. • Citrus County schools are exploring three paths for instruction in the fall, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.

Maisyn Strowbridge, 4, (right) sings while building a snowman Florida style during a special winter activity held at the Pasco Learning and Activity Center of Enrichment (PLACE) at Fox Hollow Elementary School in Port Richey. Also pictured are Myrah Almestica, 4, (left) and Alexandra Evelyn, 4, (center). The school district is looking to reopen the program in June. [ MICHELE MILLER | Times ]

Cuts will likely affect people and programs. Leon County district officials are drawing up plans for 10, 15 and 20 percent reductions, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Teachers are stressed and nervous. That’s according to the latest Florida Education Association survey, WEAR reports.

‘Fourth quarter this year is just simply not worth it.’ Some Tampa Bay parents are telling their children not to worry about their report card grades amid remote learning struggles, WTSP reports.

Florida’s college system has a new civics test to meet requirements. Some educators say the model is dumbed down, Florida Phoenix reports.

Vaping poses health risks for students and discipline problems for schools. The Orange County School Board will sue Juul over the situation, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Congratulations are in order. The Department of Education has named three finalists for Florida Principal of the Year, WMBB reports.

From the police blotter. A former Pasco County teacher, already awaiting trial on video voyeurism charges, faces additional charges stemming from a pool party he held for students a decade ago.

Did you miss a story? Here’s the link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... In-person high school graduations across Florida are largely being postponed until July and August. Many schools still plan virtual celebrations soon after courses end. Some might hold live online activities. But others are preparing in advance. Here’s a scene from Pasco eSchool’s upcoming event.

Pasco eSchool assistant principal Erin Senior records her portion of her school's virtual graduation ceremony in advance of the event. [ Pasco County Schools ]

To keep up on the latest stories from around Florida, visit the Tampa Bay Times Gradebook. Join our daily Facebook conversation to share your views. And be sure to share this roundup with your friends and colleagues. Know someone who might want to sign up for the Gradebook newsletter? Share this link. We want to hear your remote learning survival stories. Send an e-mail to jsolochek@tampabay.com. - Jeff