The big question: As educators reevaluate the role of cellphones in schools, some also are taking a closer look at the use of technology in testing.
Consultant Dale Chu, a former chief of staff to the Florida education commissioner, writes that some respected leaders are looking for ways to scale back student screentime and testing is on the table.
The move to online assessments, after all, has driven much of the shift to classroom computers, at no insignificant cost. But can schools really make a return to paper and pencil testing? “The short answer is, not easily,” Chu writes. Read his explanation in Flypaper.
Hot topics
Board races: Two additional candidates have entered the growing field for Hillsborough County school board. • Orange County’s recently retired deputy superintendent has jumped into the race for school board chairperson, Florida Politics reports.
Budget cuts: The Leon County school district is reversing its proposal to close its virtual school, WCTV reports.
Construction plans: The Lee County school district is rebuilding schools damaged by hurricanes, expanding their size to accommodate population growth, WGCU reports.
Office space: The Broward County school board has asked its inspector general to take a closer look at the district’s canceled $2.6 million office lease agreement, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
School restructuring: The Union County school district is looking for ways to restructure how its three schools operate as it faces declining enrollment and a $1.4 million revenue shortfall, MainStreet Daily News reports.
Student-athletes: Leon County high school student-athletes soon could benefit from a new name-image-likeness policy, WCTV reports.
Union label: Miami-Dade County teacher union leaders say the Florida Legislature’s latest move to place new restrictions on unions could adversely affect student learning, Miami Times reports.
From the police blotter … Two Miami-Dade County high school students were arrested on accusations of bringing knives to school to use against another student, the Miami Herald reports.
From the court docket … A federal judge has dismissed fraud charges against University of Florida trustee James W. “Bill” Heavener, the Gainesville Sun reports.
Number of the day
1.2 million — That’s the number of miles school buses run monthly in Palm Beach County, leading school district officials to keep a close eye on fast rising gasoline prices. The district has some electric buses, but they cost nearly three times as much as the ones that use diesel. The issue is playing out in districts across Florida. Read more from the Palm Beach Post.
Quick quiz
Republican candidate for governor Byron Donalds claimed that school districts are to blame for Florida’s property tax increases. How did PolitiFact rate that claim?
a) True
b) Mostly False
c) Pants on Fire
Read the PolitiFact story for the answer.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
