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Jeb Bush’s Rally For Education Reform

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last year the Florida legislature passed CS/CS/HB 7197, the Digital Learning Now Act. The bill, which passed with support from both sides of the aisle and was signed by Governor Rick Scott on June 12, 2011, expands school choice by increasing digital learning options for students.

Specifically, the legislation authorizes establishment of virtual charter schools, authorizes blended learning courses, and allows K-12 students from anywhere in the state to enroll in Florida Virtual School Full Time (FLVS FT). Previously, students could only enroll in the school if they lived in approved school districts. Also, students used to be required to attend a brick-and-mortar public school before enrolling in FLVS FT – but, the Act removes that restriction.

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Juan Bautista de Anza Online Charter School Opens Student Resource Center in Desert Shores

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Juan Bautista de Anza Online Charter School, a tuition-free public school, announced today that it has opened a third student resource center in Desert Shores, Calif., to serve students from Palm Springs south to the Mexican border. Juan Bautista de Anza offers a blended educational model that combines the best of 21st century online learning with one-on-one teacher support from on-site instructors. In addition to an online curriculum, which is provided by online leader Advanced Academics, students have the opportunity to participate in monthly field trips, service learning projects and an equine leadership program.

The Desert Shores Resource Center, located off Highway 86 between Coachella Valley and El Centro at 228 Desert Shores Rd. in Desert Shores, opened in January 2012. Students can complete coursework in the state-of-the-art computer lab or receive individualized tutoring at the center, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the rest of the article, go to Juan Bautista de Anza Online Charter School Opens Student Resource Center in Desert Shores

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Parents raise concerns over four-day school week

February 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

DADE CITY — Elizabeth Beagle came to Pasco Middle School on Thursday evening with one thought in mind: Her opposition to a four-day school week.

“I’m against it,” said Beagle, who has children in Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools. “I have a junior in AP classes. She does virtual school, she’s in athletics. Her day is long enough.”

A forum on the subject drew about 70 residents, most of whom shared their reservations with the idea of having children attend school for fewer, longer days. The concept is in play because School Board member Steve Luikart pressed for a task force to explore it as a way to cut expenses as the district’s revenue shrinks.

District finance officials have projected a loss of $22 million in state funding for 2012-13, not including $7 million of added costs to meet class size plus a fine of at least $1 million for failing to meet class size requirements this year.

“Please keep in mind it’s only one option,” Luikart told the audience as he opened the 90-minute forum.

Another possibility could be to cut 465 noninstructional positions and move on, he said. “That’s not acceptable. … We have to look at every dime and how we use it.”

One by one, speakers rose to offer their views.

Carlos Saenz of Land O’Lakes, whose child attends Oakstead Elementary, said the School Board would do better to explore privatization of nonessential, noninstructional services to effect real savings, rather than tinker around the edges with a four-day plan.

Debbie Smith, a grandmother and a Pasco High food services manager, questioned what would happen to the growing number of poor students who rely on schools for their daily meals if the schools closed an additional day each week. Kim Cicanese, whose daughter attends Pasco Middle, worried about leaving children at home unattended.

For the rest of the article, go to Parents raise concerns over four-day school week

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Broward School Board adopts plan to keep class sizes down

February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Another strategy being widely used is expanding virtual school programs that enable students to take core classes like science and math online in a school computer lab. The push for online classes is expected to free up seats in traditional classrooms.

Runcie recently traveled to Tallahassee with other board members to speak to lawmakers and state Department of Education officials, asking them to consider reducing Broward’s fine even more than the $16 million. Runcie said he expects a “favorable” outcome.

“The governor’s budget calls for a billion in education … there’s an acknowledgement that education is a priority,” Runcie said. “It doesn’t make sense to take away dollars from the second-largest school district in the state.”

For the rest of the article, go to Broward School Board adopts plan to keep class sizes down

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Bills to revamp high school sports spark debate

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Over the years, the FHSAA has drawn the ire of some schools for its investigations into recruiting, which is disallowed. Some schools have also accused the FHSAA of being overly punitive to schools when the rules are broken.

Four years ago, a handful of small, independent schools — many of which had been found guilty of violating FHSAA rules — decided to form the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association. But the SIAA has never been recognized by state law, and its 11 member schools can compete only against other member schools.

The proposal in the Senate would add the SIAA to the state law on high school athletics — and give all private, charter and virtual schools in Florida the option to join. It would also allow for inter-league play.

For the rest of the article, go to Bills to revamp high school sports spark debate

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Free Driver’s Education for Students

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Now, Polk County students can enroll in both the online driver’s education course and behind-the-wheel training for free. Students can complete the course in six to eight weeks or can talk with their virtual school instructor about an accelerated three-week pace plan. Registration is available at: melearningfuels.com or
call 1-866-454-0714.
— Merissa Green, Education reporter

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Morris Chamber dinner: Jeb Bush to share school reform ideas

January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Data-driven accountability for schools, including grading schools on a scale of A-F based solely on annual standardized test scores in elementary and middle school and a combination of data in high school.

School choice for families, including tax credit scholarships, prekindergarten vouchers, scholarships for students with disabilities, charter schools and virtual schools.

Funding for achievement, including performance bonuses for teachers and consolidation of funding to target failing schools.

The dinner is the chamber’s largest annual event. Member tickets are $145, nonmembers $175, and member tables of 10 are $1,450.

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The 4 Keys to a Successful Online School

January 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

For Broward Virtual School’s Evelyn Weaver, building a successful virtual learning environment begins with four key components.

  1. The acquisition of mission-critical tools that foster collaboration and enable effective communication;
  2. The implementation of a flexible, focused curriculum that can be tailored to the individual student;
  3. The relevant, timely, and in-depth training of all stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, and parents; and,
  4. The development of an immediate, effective technical and academic support system.

Ultimately, Weaver told attendees at the FETC 2012 National Conference Wednesday, true success requires “a partnership between the curriculum provider and the local virtual school,” focused on delivering high-quality, individualized learning.

For the rest of the article, go to The 4 Keys to a Successful Online School

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Spending $2,159 Less Per Student, Online School Outscores Florida Campuses on AP Exams

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Online students at Florida Virtual School outperformed their traditional-school peers on Advanced Placement tests in 2011, and at less cost, new studies show.

Florida Virtual School reported scores that averaged 12 percentage points higher than conventional high schools on the 2011 AP exams. The Internet-based school offered 15 AP courses to 3,053 students, an 18 percent increase from the previous year.

Some 58 percent of FLVS test-takers achieved qualifying scores of 3, 4 or 5, compared with 46 percent at conventional campuses around Florida. The FLVS success rate matched the national average.

For the rest of the article, go to Spending $2,159 Less Per Student, Online School Outscores Florida Campuses on AP Exams

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School choice deadline nears

January 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

MANATEE – Manatee County parents have until Feb. 3 to participate in school choice, an option that already is appealing to more than 30 percent of the district’s 45,000 students.

With magnet programs at 10 elementary and middle schools, 20 career academies among the county’s six high schools, and increased choices among charter schools, dual enrollment and virtual schools, district officials expect even more families to exercise their right of choice this coming year.

The Feb. 3 deadline is only for families participating in open enrollment, which allows parents to send their children to a school other than their assigned “go-to” school based on geography.

“It’s very important to Manatee County to empower families with choice,” says School Board Chair Harry Kinnan. “We’ve made marvelous strides with it.”

They also expect the myriad choices may be overwhelming to some parents.

“There really is a chance that parents may get a little confused because you’ve got so many magnet schools, schools operated by the school board, and charter schools that run more independently,” says Danny Lundeen, the district’s supervisor of student demographics, projections and assignment.

“The opportunities out there have expanded so greatly, I could see there could be some opportunity for confusion.”

For the rest of the article, go to School choice deadline nears

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