The big story: Almost since its inception, Florida’s voluntary prekindergarten program has been judged based on how prepared its students are after they enter kindergarten.
To some providers, it’s been an unfair method to measure the successes their schools have achieved — particularly if they’re working with youngsters with little preparation from home.
To better account for the preschools’ performance, the Florida Department of Education has put forth new guidelines that include pre- and post-testing to determine how much growth children have made while in pre-k. The plan has won praise from some preschool operators.
“I think they are a strong indicator of what a quality program looks like, because it’s that teacher-child interaction, and what’s happening on a daily basis in the classroom,” said Ali DeMaria of Winter Park Day Nursery. Read more from the Orlando Sentinel.
Hot topics
Weather report: Schools. colleges and universities throughout western Florida including in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties are closing as they brace for Hurricane Milton. See the statewide list from the Florida Department of Education.
Career education: Some Florida high schools have growing wait lists to get into their career academies, as many teens look to careers rather than college after high school, CNBC reports.
Charter schools: The state of New Jersey is taking a closer look at a couple who claims about $600,000 in compensation for running a small New Jersey charter school while residing in Florida, NJ.com reports.
Elections: The Florida Democratic Party announced endorsements of six candidates for school boards around the state, Florida Phoenix reports.
Marching band: The Leon County school district is allocating thousands of dollars into new marching band uniforms and instruments at all of its high schools, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
School closures: Broward County school district officials have floated a proposal to revamp the uses of several under-capacity schools rather than close them, the Sun-Sentinel reports. • Duval County school district leaders say their plan to shutter several schools should help stem the tide of deficit spending, the Florida Times-Union reports.
Teacher, employee discipline: A Miami-Dade County middle school teacher was reassigned during an investigation into allegations that he sniffed a girl’s shorts from her backpack, WSVN reports. • A Miami-Dade elementary school cafeteria worker is suspended during an investigation into accusations she created an abusive atmosphere at lunch, WTVJ reports. • Nineteen Duval County school employees have been removed from their jobs since August after reports of misconduct, WJXT reports.
University presidents: A search committee has recommended interim president William Berry as the sole finalist to lead Bethune-Cookman University, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.
From the police blotter … A Seminole County high school teacher was arrested on allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
From the court docket … A circuit court judge declined to rule on whether a lawsuit over the fate of a historic former school can continue against the Orange County school district, WMFE reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … Any Black Keys fans out there? How about for Regional Mexican star DannyLux? Here’s a new tune they put out together.