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A federal judge in Florida is considering whether book removals in schools are protected government speech, as argued by the state and some counties. The judge's decision could have significant implications for First Amendment law, particularly as Florida leads the nation in the number of titles removed from school libraries. The controversy began when school officials in Escambia and Lake counties removed the children's book "And Tango Makes Three" from shelves, which is based on a true story about two male penguins raising a chick together. The authors of the book, along with a student, filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the removal violated the First Amendment and students' right to receive information. The defendants argue that public school libraries are a forum for government speech, not free expression. The case will proceed against the Escambia County School Board, and the government speech question remains unresolved.

 

The Florida Times-Union

Florida public school students have experienced a significant decline in math skills following the COVID-19 pandemic, with a deficit that continues to affect classrooms. The pandemic has caused a massive slide in math education, leading to a loss of direct instruction. National research shows that students have only recovered about a third of what they lost in math since the pandemic began. Math skills were hit the hardest during the pandemic, as they require direct instruction and practice. Teachers are working to fill in knowledge gaps and boost foundational skills without overwhelming students.

 

Orlando Sentinel

David Scarlett Wakelyn, a former math teacher and developer of the Common Core State Standards, discusses the challenge of setting appropriate goals for student achievement in light of changing job market demands. Wakelyn references the research of Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, who recommend setting goals that are "difficult but attainable" and align with meaningful outcomes—such as preparing students for college and careers. According to projections by Georgetown University economists, by 2031, 72% of jobs will require some college education, significantly more than the number of jobs requiring a high school diploma four decades ago. This shift underscores the need for educational goals that prepare students to meet these future demands. In New York, while the Board of Regents has updated standards to align with college readiness, the actual achievement levels lag, with only 48% of third graders proficient in reading and writing. Wakelyn argues that setting a target of 72% proficiency aligns with the projected need for college-educated workers, making it a relevant and strategic goal for education systems. This target is not just ambitious but grounded in economic reality, aiming to equip students with the skills necessary for future job markets. Achieving this goal would require systematic efforts across all grades, increasing literacy achievement by 3% annually.

 

The 74

The future of over 100,000 students in the Lee County School District is uncertain as the search for a new superintendent continues. Denise Carlin, Morgan Wright, and Sheridan Chester are vying for the position, with Carlin and Wright participating in a recent debate. Carlin emphasized the importance of experience, while Wright questioned the value of experience in light of the district's current situation. The debate covered various topics, including student discipline, the budget, and the relationship between the superintendent and the board. The Republican candidates also discussed teacher retention, recruitment, student achievement, and school safety. The Democratic candidate, Sheridan Chester, did not attend the meeting. The Cape Coral Republican Club, which hosted the debate, expressed openness to holding a meeting for the public and media. The search for a new superintendent is crucial for the district's future.

 

WINK News

Lawyers have filed an administrative complaint against Flagler Schools on behalf of Brendan Depa, a former special education student facing 30 years in jail for assaulting a school aide. The complaint alleges that the school district failed to meet Depa's needs as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The complaint will go through the Department of Administrative Hearings and be decided upon by a judge. Depending on the outcome, the case could possibly go on to federal court. The complaint is seeking compensatory education for Depa. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that students with disabilities are provided education that meets their unique needs. The complaint states that the school district's plan and support services were not sufficient, and that staff training was inadequate. The goal of the Act is to have students graduate school as independent and productive members of society. The filed complaint is separate from the criminal case, but the lawyer believes that if Depa's disabilities had been adequately provided for, the incident might not have happened.

 

PalmCoastObserver.com

Broward County Public Schools have earned top rankings in the nation, with 13 high schools among the top public schools in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy is ranked #2 in the state of Florida. The rankings are based on an evaluation of 25,000 magnet and charter high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The evaluation includes factors such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests, school performance, math and reading proficiency, graduation rates, and achievement gap. Broward County Public Schools are recognized for their high achievement and excellence in education.

 

Local10

Bunnell Elementary School celebrated its 100-year anniversary with a Centennial Celebration. The event included various activities and tours of the school's campus, including the Little Red School House and the Old Gym. Becky Cox, a teacher at BES, shared the history of the building, which was originally built in 1938 for the Future Farmers of America chapter. The celebration also featured speeches from Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson and Dr. Phyllis Pearson, the first Black principal in Flagler County. Melissa Atkinson-Brock, Teacher of the Year, spoke about the school's history and her family's generations of attendance. The event concluded with a presentation by the Penguin Project participants.

 

PalmCoastObserver.com

The transportation challenges facing today's schools are complex, especially with the rising demands from expanded school choice and the need to accommodate students with special circumstances, such as those in foster care or experiencing homelessness. Traditional yellow school buses, while still fundamental, are no longer sufficient to meet all these diverse needs effectively. Inspiration for solving these challenges can be drawn from urban multimodal transportation systems, which integrate various forms of transit to serve a broad population dynamically. Cities like New York and Chicago have effectively used a mix of public transport, bike-share programs, scooters, and rideshares to enhance accessibility and convenience. Applying a similar multimodal approach to student transportation could significantly address the issues of chronic absenteeism and accessibility. Marginalized and low-income students, who may not have access to a car and depend heavily on school buses, are particularly vulnerable to the shortcomings of the current system. A diverse transportation network would provide these students with more reliable and flexible options, potentially decreasing absenteeism and improving academic outcomes. Moreover, this approach could help schools navigate budget constraints and environmental mandates, such as the shift towards electric buses. By integrating technology to optimize routes and match students with the most suitable mode of transport, schools can enhance efficiency and ensure safety.

 

School Bus Fleet

Gov. DeSantis has authorized Florida universities to take necessary steps to prevent protests from disrupting commencement ceremonies. He warned that student protesters who do not follow the rules will be expelled. The arrests of pro-Palestine protesters at Florida universities have led to tensions escalating on campuses across the state. Ray Rodrigues, the chancellor of the State University System of Florida, sent a memo to university presidents stating that protests during commencement ceremonies will not be tolerated. Rodrigues also criticized the protests taking place on college campuses outside of Florida.

 

Orlando Weekly

Scientists have found that popular teenage girls are more likely to experience insomnia symptoms and sleep less than their peers, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep. The study, which investigated a sample of over 1,300 Swedish teenagers aged 14 to 18, found that popular girls reported shorter sleep duration and more difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. Interestingly, the negative impact on sleep was observed both before and after the advent of smartphones. The researchers suggest that the gender disparities in sleep patterns might be related to the types of friendships girls and boys tend to have at that age. These findings add to the growing body of evidence that school schedules are not accommodating teenagers' sleep needs. "Teenagers are arguably the most sleep deprived population throughout the lifespan," said Serena Bauducco, a sleep researcher at Örebro University. The study highlights the importance of adequate sleep for teenage girls' mental health and school performance.

 

Bradenton.com