Become more informed in minutes....

In Florida, 28 schools received A grades despite over half of their students lacking proficiency in language arts, and 56 schools achieved the same despite poor math scores. The grading system emphasizes “learning gains” over proficiency, leading to concerns about the accuracy of these grades. Nathan Hoffman, senior legislative director for the Foundation for Florida's Future, said: “The point of the school grade calculation is not so that everybody gets an A... but rather that it's a reliable and honest assessment of how schools are doing.” Critics argue that the current grading scale may misrepresent student performance, especially as national assessments show declines in reading and math. The state plans to toughen the grading scale if over 75% of schools receive A's or B's, which could impact future ratings.

 

Sun Sentinel

West Virginia has achieved the highest public high school graduation rate in the U.S., surpassing 90%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Just behind are Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. The average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for public high school students rose from 80% in 2011-2012 to 87% in 2021-2022, despite a slight dip due to the pandemic. Factors influencing graduation rates include state-specific requirements, socioeconomic status, and the presence of private schools.

 

The Miami Herald

The recent delay in federal education funding by the Trump administration has created significant turmoil for public schools, impacting vulnerable students and families. Joshua P. Starr, a former public school superintendent, emphasizes that while funding is crucial, it must be spent effectively. He notes: “We have every evidence-based program you can buy, but I'm starting to realize that we don't have any coherence and alignment in our approach.” This highlights the need for clarity and strategic planning in resource allocation. As schools face increasing demands and budget cuts, leaders must balance the necessity for stable funding with the implementation of coherent strategies to improve student outcomes. The chaos caused by funding delays underscores the importance of accountability and effective resource management in public education.

 

Education Week News

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Layla Collins, the wife of Sen. Jay Collins, to the Board of Education. Despite her previous loss in the Hillsborough County School Board race, DeSantis chose Collins, a U.S. Army Veteran, to help oversee the operations of school boards across Florida. This move comes as speculation grows around Senator Collins as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, following Jeanette Nunez's transition to President of Florida International University. The Governor has a history of appointing couples, as seen with Esther Byrd, wife of the Secretary of State.

 

Florida Politics

Mary Ellen Klas says policymakers across the U.S. are uniting behind school smartphone bans, driven by mounting research linking mobile use to rising anxiety, bullying, and academic distraction among students. Inspired by Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, legislators in over 30 states have introduced or passed restrictions, with some enforcing full-day phone bans. Schools that have implemented such policies report striking improvements in behaviour, attendance, and academic performance - such as McPherson Middle School in Kansas, which saw suspensions halved and absenteeism drop sharply. Kals concludes that for educators, the most notable change is cultural: more focus, less conflict, and a return to simple human connection in the classroom.

 

The Miami Herald

The Escambia and Santa Rosa school districts are implementing a new state law that prohibits cell phone use for kindergarten through eighth grade students during school hours. High school students are also restricted from using phones during instructional time unless directed by a teacher for educational purposes. The law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, aims to minimize distractions and enhance student engagement. The new rules will be included in the 2025-2026 Code of Student Conduct, with parents being informed through various communication channels. The legislation also includes a pilot program to assess the impact of a total phone ban on student behavior and achievement.

 

Pensacola News Journal

Research from the University of Texas at Dallas reveals that Dallas ISD's policy of automatically enrolling 6th graders in advanced math has significantly increased the number of students taking Algebra 1 by 8th grade. Dareem K. Antoine, a Ph.D. student and co-author of the study, said: “The policy led to a substantial, really large increase” in early enrollment. However, the benefits were not evenly distributed; Hispanic and white students saw greater gains compared to Black students, who faced challenges such as lower eligibility rates and higher mobility. The findings suggest that while the opt-out policy has improved access, adjustments in cutoff scores and better communication across districts are essential for equitable outcomes. Trey Miller, an associate professor at UT Dallas, emphasized the importance of setting appropriate thresholds to ensure all students are adequately prepared for advanced math courses.

 

Education Week News

In Central Florida, many high schools received A grades this year, but this recognition does not necessarily reflect student performance. For instance, Edgewater High School celebrated its first A rating since 2011, yet less than 60% of its students passed language arts exams. The grading system considers not only passing rates but also student improvement, leading to concerns about grade inflation. Critics argue that the current grading system obscures the reality of student struggles. As the debate continues, changes to the grading scale may be on the horizon, with proposals to make it more stringent.

 

Bradenton.com

Orlando Sentinel

Osceola County Public Schools is set to install vape detectors in schools using $400,000 from a JUUL Labs settlement. The funding is part of a larger $79m statewide agreement addressing the company's marketing practices. The Florida Department of Health will also implement youth vaping prevention and nicotine addiction programs funded by the settlement. A recent study indicates that individuals who vape are 19% more likely to develop heart failure compared to non-vapers.

 

Local10

InterMotive Vehicle Controls has introduced IdleLock, an innovative anti-theft solution for Type C school buses. This system allows drivers to remove the key while the engine continues to run, ensuring that essential functions like lights and HVAC remain operational. If someone attempts to move the bus without the key, IdleLock automatically shuts off the engine. The installation is straightforward, utilizing plug-and-play connections without cutting factory wires. As noted, "IdleLock secures the vehicle while it sits idling," providing peace of mind for bus operators.

 

School Bus Fleet

Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, shares his experience transitioning Bethel School District's fleet from diesel to propane autogas buses. The Washington district's decision was driven by factors such as lower ownership costs, reliability, and reduced emissions. Stutheit noted, "Propane autogas cost about 50% less per gallon than gasoline or diesel," allowing for better budget planning. The propane buses also demonstrated superior performance, with fewer maintenance issues and longer engine life. Additionally, they produced 96% fewer harmful nitrogen oxide emissions than diesel, contributing to a cleaner environment. Stutheit emphasizes the importance of scalable refueling infrastructure, which can be installed affordably and flexibly. For many districts, including Bethel, propane autogas has proven to be the optimal fuel choice.

 

School Bus Fleet

Florida International University (FIU) is facing significant backlash after announcing a 287(g) agreement with ICE, which allows university police to perform immigration enforcement duties. FIU President Jeanette Nuñez is urged to reconsider this decision, as it contradicts the university's mission of supporting a diverse community. The FIU Faculty Senate unanimously demanded the agreement's rescission, but the administration continues to defend it.

 

Sun Sentinel

Tim Weisheyer, a former educational leader in Central Florida, has been appointed to the Florida State University Board of Trustees by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Florida Senate and, if approved, will take effect on August 30. Weisheyer has a rich background in education, having served as Chair of the Osceola County School Board and as a public school teacher.

 

Florida Politics

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has announced that material deemed by the province to be sexually explicit must be removed from school library shelves as of October 1.  Explicit sexual content, defined by the province as detailed and clear depictions of sexual acts, including masturbation, penetration and ejaculation, will not be accessible to students in any grade. Non-explicit sexual content, which refers to depictions of sexual acts that are not detailed or clear, will only be accessible to students in Grade 10 or higher. Non-sexual content, such as information about puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, biological functions, kissing or hand-holding, will be accessible to all students. "This was never about erasing particular narratives from school libraries," Nicolaides explained. "This is simply about ensuring young students are not exposed to content depicting oral sex, child molestation or other very inappropriate content." School boards must review library materials, and school officials will be tasked with supervising students to make sure they are reading appropriate material.

 

CBC News