Tuesday, April 27, 2010

News Releases - News Room - United States Senator George LeMieux

LeMieux, Reed Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Evaluate and Improve Teacher and Principal Effectiveness

WASHINGTON- In an effort to better evaluate and improve teacher and principal effectiveness, U.S. Senators George LeMieux (R-FL) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today will introduce a new bipartisan initiative to provide teachers, principals, and school leaders with comprehensive professional development and mentoring programs to strengthen effective teaching and leadership skills. The Teacher and Principal Improvement Act, which amends Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), will for the first time establish evaluation systems to measure the effectiveness of these programs on student learning and assess whether individual teachers and principals are having positive impacts on raising student achievement in their classrooms.

 

Read more >>>

Saturday, April 17, 2010

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

After three years of failed negotiations and lobbying, this week's Senate 29-9 approval of a billion-dollar gambling comact (PDF) with the Seminole Tribe of Florida might have been the big political news of the week. As it turns out, this historic event was given relatively spare notice in the media.

 

The big news of the week was of course the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 6. This decision came after a frenzy of lobbying and citizen action of such widespread involvement that it was repeatedly compared to the nationwide interest surrounding former Gov. Jeb Bush's involvement with the Terri Schiavo case. The public debate over Senate Bill 6 included the direct participation of national and international education figures such as Diane Ravitch (Web page) and Henry Giroux (Web page). The Governor received over 100,000 e-mail messages regarding the bill, nearly all of which were in opposition to it. The public debate took place largely on Web resources such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

 

The Governor provided a detailed veto letter (PDF) outlining his specific concerns with the bill, including the lack of adequate provisions of the teachers of students with disabilities and the mistrust created by the lack of stakeholder participation. He explained that could not support the bill because it was "contrary to my firmly held principle to act in the best interest of the people of Florida," The Governor's decision to veto the bill was supported by the Florida Education Association, the Florida School Boards Association, the Florida Association of School Administrators, and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

 

However, the veto was also condemned by party leaders and education privatizers. Sen. John Thrasher (R-Jacksonville) the chief sponsor of the bill and the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, declared his disappointment and predicted that the measures in the bill would soon the law in most states in the country. Former U.S. Senator Connie Mack, a longtime political mentor for Crist, immediately resigned his position as the chairman of Crist's own campaign for the U.S. Senate. Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) said the veto message was "over the top." Former Gov. Jeb Bush, for whom the bill has been a long-sought goal, declared that the Governor's veto "jeopardized the ability of Florida to build on the progress of the last decade." Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said that “It is very disappointing that Governor Crist abandoned the children of Florida and sided with the teachers union." Rick Hess, (Web page) writing in his Education Week blog, complained that when given an opportunity to end "lifelong sinecure for mediocre teachers," the Governor "folded like a cheap suit." The Wall Street Journal (Web page) suggested that the electorate of Florida might not agree with its teachers, and that we might be seeing Crist's political career "go down in flames."

 

Meanwhile, the House and Senate spent quite a bit of time in budget conference, with about $1 billion in still-unresolved differences. As of this afternoon, the most persistent rumor was that the session would not end on time.

 

Bill updates follow.

 

* * * * * 

 

 

SENATE 0002 (by Don Gaetz, R-Destin, and 19 others). This bill proposes an amendment to the class size requirements in the Florida Constitution and would provide that, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, maximum class size would be the school level average number of students who can be assigned to each teacher. This bill was supported by the Florida School Boards Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Florida Association of School Administrators, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The bill was opposed by the Florida Education Association. The bill was approved by the Senate on March 25th in a 26-12 vote. The bill passed the House by a 77-41 vote. This does not require approval of the Governor. Florida voters will consider the amendment in November, and a 60% vote is necessary for approval. The original class size amendment was approved by Florida voters in 2002 with a 52% vote.

 

This week's action: None. The bill has passed and the issue will be considered by Florida voters in November.

 

- - - - -

 

 

SENATE 0004 (by Nancy Detert, R-Venice and 10 others). Similar to HOUSE 7053. This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. This bill would eliminate FCAT administration for mathematics (Grades 9 and 10) and science (Grade 11) in favor of end-of-course examinations. It would require students to pass Geometry, Biology I, Algebra II, Chemistry or physics, and an "equally rigorous science course" in order to graduate from high school. It would also require passing certain end-of-course examinations in order to receive credit in most of those courses, and would allow students to earn credit in those courses by examination only. It would also require high school students to take at least one virtual course in order to graduate. The bill would eliminate Florida's current system of having high school students declare majors. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10th by a 6-2 vote. The bill was approved on March 16th by the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means with 17-7 vote. Along with four amendments, the bill was approved on March 24th by the Senate 36-1. The Governor has indicated he would likely sign the bill if approved by the House. On April 8th, the House passed the bill 106-12.

This week's action: The bill was sent to the Governor on April 15th. He has until April 22nd to act.

- - - - -

SENATE 0006 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville and 8 others). Similar to HOUSE 7189. This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. It would require that more than 50 percent of the salary of instructional personnel and school-based administrators (including those in charter schools) would be based on student learning gains and would require differentiated pay for difficult assignments. It would forbid school districts from considering an employee's experience or education in its salary schedule, although a controversial amendment apparently would allow advanced degrees to be considered in individual cases if they can be demonstrated to contribute to improved learning gains. It would withhold five percent of the total local, state, and federal funding allocated for each district to be held in a special incentive fund for performance pay. It would abolish professional services contracts for teachers hired after July 1, 2010 and limit those teachers to holding only probationary or annual contracts. It would also require that non-instructional personnel would be compensated under a performance pay plan. It would require all high schools (including all charter high schools) to implement end-of-course examinations in all subjects not tested with FCAT, IB, AP, or similar examinations. The bill provides for the suspension or removal of a superintendent whose standardized testing program is found to be out of compliance with security requirements. The bill would shorten the time available to obtain professional certification and would abolish certification on the basis of a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards credential. The bill would limit Dale Hickam bonuses for National Board teachers to those who who already hold a National Board certificate and who are currently teaching. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10th by a 6-2 vote. It was approved by the Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means on March 19th by a 15-8 vote. On March 24, the bill was approved with six amendments by a 21-17 vote mostly along party lines (four Republicans voted against the bill and no Democrats voted for it.) The Governor has indicated he would likely sign the bill if approved by the House. On April 8th, the House approved the bill 64-55.

This week's action:  The Governor voted the bill on April 15th. No further action is expected this session.

- - - - -

SENATE 1344 (by Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach). This bill reduces state costs of providing the Bright Futures scholarships by increasing the legibility requirements and by raising the academic requirements necessary to maintain the scholarships. On March 25th, the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means approved by the bill by an 18-5 vote. On March 31st, the Senate approved the bill by a 33-4 vote.

This week's action: None.

- - - - -

SENATE 2022 (by J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales) would require Florida Retirement System-covered employees to contribute 0.25% of their gross salary to the state retirement fund. This would be a historic change, since FRS would thus become a member-contributory system for the first time in the era of the current retirement system. On March 25th, the bill was approved by the  Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means in a 15-8 vote. On March 31st, the bill was passed by the Senate in a 26-7 vote.

This week's action: None.

- - - - -

SENATE 2126 (by Joe Negron, R-Palm City and 18 others) would expand Florida's private school voucher program, currently funded by corporate tax credits. The bill would increase the per-student amount paid to private schools from the current $3,950 to an estimated $5,500, or a total cost of about $140 million. On March 16th, the bill was approved by the Senate Finance and Tax Committee by 4-1 vote. On March 19th, the bill was approved 16-6 by the Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means. On March 24th, the bill was approved by the Senate on a 27-11 vote

This week's action: The bill was sent to the Governor on April 15th. He has until April 22nd to act.

- - - - -

SENATE 2262 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville) Similar to HOUSE 1173. authorizes charter schools to operate as franchises of the Florida Virtual School. It provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School or a franchisee, and provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered in the school district in which the student resides. The bill requires that high school students take at least one virtual course.

This week's action: The bill passed the the Senate K-12 Education Committee 12-5 on April 14th.

- - - - -

HOUSE 5101 (by Anitere Flores, R-Miami and 13 others) addresses multiple topics. It requires school districts to make contingency plans for class size compliance pending the outcome of the proposed November 2010 constitutional amendment. This bill would have the constitutional class size calculations be based on February reporting rather than October, and increase the fiscal penalty for non-compliance to include the base student allocation in addition to the class size allocation for all students over the constitutional limits. It requires detailed reported on the education of gifted students. This bill would require that all high school materials be primarily adopted and delivered in electronic format and promotes adoption of electronic learning management systems. The bills provides additional rules regarding admission of virtual school students, including a sibling eligibility provision. On March 23rd, the bill was approved by the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development by a 12-5 vote. The bill was approved by the House on April 1st in a 74-45 vote. The bill was approved by the Senate on April 6th in a 28-11 vote.

This week's action: None. In messages.

- - - - -

HOUSE 5701 (by David Rivera, R-Miami and 17 others) would abolish the health insurance subsidy of up to $150 per month currently paid to FRS retirees who have health insurance. On March 23rd, the bill was approved by the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development in an 11-6 vote. On April 1, the bill was approved by the House in a 63-56 vote.

This week's action: None. In messages.

* * * * *

RUNNING THE NUMBERS

(1) Percentage change in Florida tax revenue from tobacco since last year: -23.7%

(2) Percentage change in tax revenue from hospital fees: +83.5%

(3) Percentage change in tax revenue from highway safety fees: +420.3%

(4) Number of U.S. states with a per-resident cost for state employee payroll lower than Florida's: 0

(5) Per-resident cost for state employee payroll in Florida: $38

(6) Average per-resident cost of state employee payroll in the U.S.: $69

Sources

(1-3) Florida Monthly Revenue Report (PDF)

(4-6) Division of Management Services FY 08-09 Annual Workforce Report (PDF) 

 

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Crist vetoes controversial teacher bill

Gary Fineout, 04/15/2010 - 12:59 PM

Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday vetoed SB 6, the controversial measure that would strip job protections from teachers.

Crist publicly announced his veto at a noon press conference just outside his office which has been bombarded with calls and e-mails from teachers across the state.

The governor said he based his veto on several reasons, including the speed at which the bill moved through the Legislature and the fact that House Republicans refused to consider any amendments on the bill once it reached the full House.

Crist also said it would place the jobs of teachers in jeopardy and he said he was concerned about how it would impact special education teachers who would be evaluated based on the results of a high stakes test.

It's not clear yet how lawmakers plan to react, although a veto override would appear out of the question since the measure was opposed by Democrats and a handful of Republicans. It takes a two-thirds vote for an override.

But there could be a backlash against Crist that could affect how the session ends over the next two weeks.

 

 

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Legislation/Advocacy Update

The unusual public debate on SB 0006 continues, with the volume of related newspaper articles, editorials. blog posts, e-mail messages, telephone calls, and Facebook groups growing to phenomenal levels. The Governor is scheduled to be in Miami on Friday, so some predictions are for his decision about SB 0006 to take place sometime on Thursday. There is considerable discussion online about the possibility of a rare public veto. It is also possible that the Governor will choose to announce his decision on Friday in Miami. Several key events and official statements in the debate are noted below.

 

* * * * *

 

Orlando Sentinel: FL superintendents: We say veto merit-pay law, too (Web page)

 

The Florida Association of District School Superintendents sent a letter (PDF) to the Governor explaining that although they "embraced the goals and major concepts" of the bill, they were calling upon him to veto the bill. The outlined their concerns and called for renewed effort based on collaboration and stakeholder participation. 

 

* * * * *

 

Florida School Boards Association: Letter encourages Governor to veto SB 0006 (PDF)

 

Writing on behalf of Florida district school boards, FSBA President Georgia Bowen and Executive Director Wayne Blanton wrote a letter (PDF) to the Governor citing several fatal flaws in SB 0006 and encouraging him to veto the bill.

 

* * * * *

 

Palm Beach Post: Senate rules chairman urges Crist to veto ‘unconstitutional mess’ teacher pay bill (Web page)

 

Sen. Alex Villalobos (R-Miami), the Senate Rules Committee chairman, wrote a letter (PDF) to the Governor encouraging him to veto the bill on constitutional grounds. Villalobos was one of only four Republican senators to vote against the bill.

 

* * * * *

 

Diane Ravitch's Twitter Feed; Thank a Teacher (Web page)

 

The education historian continued her opposition to SB 0006 with a tweet (Web page) addressed specifically to the Governor. The follows on her now-famous open letter to the Florida Legislature (Web page)

 

* * * * *

 

Palm Beach Post: Supporters of merit pay push back (YouTube Web page with embedded video. This page may be blocked by some workplace filters.)

 

Key supporters of SB 0006 spoke out in favor of the bill, and explained that teachers who oppose the bill are probably misinformed about it contents. According to the Palm Beach Post, Commissioner of Education Eric Smith and K-12 Chancellor Frances Haithcock were scheduled to appear but were apparently not able to do so. Speakers included:

  • Marshall Criser (former President of the University of Florida, longtime member of the Board of Regents, and the Florida Council of 100)
  • Patricia Levesque (Foundation for Florida's Future)
  • Mark Wilson (Florida Chamber of Commerce)

* * * * *

 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Senate Dear Colleague Letter requesting funds for ESSCP

There is Senate Dear Colleague Letter requesting funds for ESSCP to be restored and increased. Please contact your Senators and ask them to sign on to the ESSCP DCL. Your Senator's office can contact Amanda Beaumont from Senator Feingold's office to sign on (amanda_beaumont@feingold.senate.gov)

*Remember you are urging your Senator to sign-on to the letter - the public does not sign-on.

 This is a very timely issue and I encourage you all to take action today! The deadline to receive co-signers is this Friday at 12pm ET. Remember this letter is for Senators only, so there is no need to contact your House Representatives. To find your Senator and phone in a call go to: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Senators that have already signed on are: Lincoln (AR), Stabenow (MI), Schumer (NY), Levin (MI) and of course Feingold (WI).

Every call and/or e-mail will help! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Monday, April 12, 2010

SB6: Letter from FACTE to Governor Crist


Dear Governor Crist,

The Florida Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (FACTE) embraces the accountability standards cited in SB6/HB 7189. While FACTE supports these measures, we believe strongly that all teacher preparation service providers should be held to the same standards. This bill does not address these concerns since various service providers remain exempt from the same level of accountability as college/university approved preparation programs. With that said, our major concern regarding this legislation is for the children who will be adversely impacted by this legislation.....those in struggling schools, those with disabilities, and those whose first language is not English.

FACTE has tried in good faith to improve this legislation. We have met with numerous legislators and legislative aides to communicate our concerns and provide suggested language that would make the proposed legislation more acceptable, but for various reasons we have been rebuffed at every level. From our perspective, many of our suggestions were simply common sense revisions. While we realize there may be political reasons for the refusal of members of the legislature to entertain these suggested amendments, the truth is… the proposed legislation is fraught with problems and unintended consequences that have potential for an extremely negative impact on education in Florida.

Even among the supporters of this proposed legislation, there seems to be an awareness of significant issues and concerns which are addressed with the argument that future legislation will fix these problems. In other words, “just trust us”. Unfortunately, the manner in which this legislation was developed, and the process used by its supporters to move this legislation through both houses of the legislature, does not lend itself to building trust. Although there are many positive features in SB6/HB1789, the issues of concern far outweigh any benefit.

Some additional FACTE issues of concern include:

- The difficulty of placing our candidates with outstanding teachers in clinical settings. With high stakes testing, it is already very difficult to persuade teachers to take on the additional responsibilities of mentoring and working with our candidates. The proposed legislation exacerbates this problem by not including incentives that would encourage outstanding teachers to assume this responsibility. In fact, the legislation’s provisions are a disincentive as so much of a teacher’s worth is judged solely on high-stakes testing. This is not a trivial issue. The ultimate quality of teacher education programs rests with our ability to have our candidates working with the best teachers.

- The need for clarification of the language related to prohibiting new teachers to teach science, reading or mathematics if they are not certified in those subject areas. Does this apply to elementary schools? There is no Mathematics or Science certification at this level. Are elementary education graduates permitted to teach elementary education mathematics and science if this bill passes? If not, this presents a staffing and administrative catastrophe.

- The lack of explanation in the bill regarding the process to be used by approved teacher education programs to provide assistance to graduates that are struggling teachers. Shouldn’t this be coordinated and conducted at the request of a school district? Shouldn’t all alternative providers (e.g., Teach for America) be required to offer the same guarantee? Why is this provision only applicable to those that are entering the profession through college and university approved preparation programs?

- The language in the proposed legislation that requires teacher education instructors to have teaching experience and/or clinical education training. FACTE proposed language that would only require those supervising field experience or those teaching in methods courses to address this requirement. The way the proposed legislation now reads all those teaching in a teacher preparation program would need to meet this requirement. What about those teaching content courses? What about those teaching foundations courses such as “History of Education”? Some who teach courses included in a teacher preparation program may not be Education faculty, e.g., statisticians teaching Educational Statistics. This requirement would present an unnecessary hurdle to the inter-disciplinary use of the college faculty without providing any real benefit.

- The removal of “academic degrees held” as a factor in the salary schedule. There are many, many advanced degrees that are extremely valuable in assisting teachers in the improvement of academic achievement in their classroom (such as Reading Education). Understanding the research and theoretical underpinnings of effective instruction can be extremely important to teachers in terms of their development in the classroom. While other variables are important in terms of financially awarding teachers, the incentive to create life-long learners in our profession is essential. When compared to the brain-dead professional development opportunities that currently exist in many of our school districts there must be strong incentives for our teachers to grow and develop as they mature in the profession. This provision as it now reads is detrimental to the goal of continuing to build a quality workforce in our profession.

It should be stressed that these concerns, while having specific impact on teacher education programs, ultimately will impact the quality of education for students in Florida. Nowhere will this legislation’s negative impact be felt more keenly than with our neediest students, children in struggling schools, those with disabilities, and those whose first language is not English. Statutes that impinge on the quality of efforts to prepare teachers impact the quality of instruction in our K-12 classrooms, which ultimately affects student preparation for higher education and a productive, informed citizenry and workforce.

FACTE remains committed to working with the legislature and the Governor’s office to improve education and specifically teacher education in Florida. We are committed to working cooperatively with your office, legislative offices and the Florida Department of Education. Please feel free to contact me if there are questions in regard to FACTE’s concerns. Again, we are encouraging the Governor to veto this legislation.


Sincerely,

Robert Shockley

Executive Director

Saturday, April 10, 2010

YouTube - Merit Pay, Teacher Pay, and Value Added Measures

Bill is on Governor's Desk. He has 7 Days to Veto.


Take Action

Dear Education Advocates,
Nix 6 -Tell Gov. Crist to Veto SB-6.
Bill is on Governor's Desk. He has 7 Days to Veto.
 
 
Despite your efforts, legislators have pushed through SB-6/HB-7189. We must urge the Governor to exercise his veto pen. Contact him now! Governor Crist has publically indicated that he has concerns about this bill (see below). He can veto this bill anytime up until close of business next Friday, April 15th.

Governor Charlie Crist,The Capitol,
400 S. Monroe St., Plaza Level 05,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001.
Governor's e-mail: charlie.crist@myflorida.com
Gov. office Ph#: 850-488-7146
If the voice mail is full try: Crist Campaign office: 850-907-1218
or fax a message: 850-487-0801
 
(Excerpt from Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau  In Print: Thursday, April 8, 2010)

Using his strongest language yet, Gov. Charlie Crist said that the Legislature should soften a controversial bill that would link teacher pay to student performance and criticized Republican leaders for trying to block any floor amendments....
... Crist said he does not want to veto the bill, but said he was concerned how the legislation would affect special-needs teachers. "I had a conversation with a friend of mine for many years, he was concerned about the provisions of the bill that require progress. And he's like, 'How can my son have progress?' " Crist said. "It's very challenging. And that's weighing on me heavily." Crist acknowledged he was shifting his opinion. "Shame on any public servant Who doesn't listen to the people," he said.
By Cristina Silva, Steve Bousquet and Mary Ellen Klas, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: Thursday, April 8, 2010

footer

Friday, April 09, 2010

Florida RTI Information and Resources

Florida RTI Information and Resources

Legislation & Advocacy Update

 

In this issue:

 

1. Florida Legislative Session Update

2. NCES Updates Key Education Indicators 3. Florida Census Return Rates Lower Than Expected 4. Running The Numbers

 

* * * * *

 

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

 

The week began with an eight-hour meeting of the House Education Policy Council <http://streams.leg.state.fl.us/archive/MBR/H_2461_2010_04_05_7816.asx>  (video file) in numerous educators explained their opposition to the bill. At the end of the allotted time for testimony, dozens of scheduled speakers still had not been heard and so received an apology from the chairman. Sensing growing opposition to the bill, the Florida Department of Education sent out a memorandum outlining the provisions of the bill and explaining their merits, the House leadership created a blog <http://rewardingexcellentteachers.com/>  (Web page) to explain the benefits of the bill, and former Governor Jeb Bush's Foundation for Florida's Future began running a television commercial <http://www.postonpolitics.com/2010/04/jeb-bush-group-launches-pro-merit-pay-television-ad/comment-page-1/>  (Web page with embedded video) supporting the bill. Much attention, however, was given to Diane Ravitch's open letter to lawmakers in opposition to the bill.

 

The week ended, more or less, at nearly 3:00 in the morning on Friday when all of the House members had used up their allotted fifteen minutes of debate on SB 6. After spending almost nine hours <http://streams.leg.state.fl.us/archive/MBR/H_HSES_2010_04_07_7837.asx>  in mostly courteous, sometimes rancorous, and occasionally bizarre debate, the House approved the measure 64-55. No Democrats voted for the measure, but 11 Republicans voted against it: Faye Culp (Tampa), Ed Homan (Temple Terrace), Marcelo Llorente (Miami), Peter Nehr (Tarpon Springs), Pat Patterson (Deland), Juan-Carlos Planas (Miami), Julio Robaina (Miami), Ron Schultz (Homosassa), Charles Van Zant (Palatka), Mike Weinstein (Orange Park) and Juan Zapata (Miami).

 

Due to a technical procedure implemented immediately following the vote, the bill now goes to the Governor who has seven days to sign it or veto it. He has made hints that he is considering a veto, but both the Speaker and the Senate President have repeatedly (and pointedly) stated that they expect him to sign it.

 

Bill updates follow.

 

* * * * *

 

 

SENATE 0002 (by Don Gaetz, R-Destin, and 19 others). This bill proposes an amendment to the class size requirements in the Florida Constitution and would provide that, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, maximum class size would be the school level average number of students who can be assigned to each teacher. This bill was supported by the Florida School Boards Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Florida Association of School Administrators, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The bill was opposed by the Florida Education Association. The bill was approved by the Sente on March 25th in a 26-12 vote.

 

This week's action: The bill passed the House by a 77-41 vote. This does not require approval of the Governor. Florida voters will consider the amendment in November, and a 60% vote is necessary for approval. The original class size amendment was approved by Florida voters in 2002 with a 52% vote.

 

- - - - -

 

 

SENATE 0004 (by Nancy Detert, R-Venice and 10 others). Similar to HOUSE 7053. This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. This bill would eliminate FCAT administration for mathematics (Grades 9 and 10) and science (Grade 11) in favor of end-of-course examinations. It would require students to pass Geometry, Biology I, Algebra II, Chemistry or physics, and an "equally rigorous science course" in order to graduate from high school. It would also require passing certain end-of-course examinations in order to receive credit in most of those courses, and would allow students to earn credit in those courses by examination only. It would also require high school students to take at least one virtual course in order to graduate. The bill would eliminate Florida's current system of having high school students declare majors. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10th by a 6-2 vote. The bill was approved on March 16th by the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means with 17-7 vote. Along with four amendments, the bill was approved on March 24th by the Senate 36-1. The Governor has indicated he would likely sign the bill if approved by the House. The bill was previously approved by the Senate and now being considered by the House.

 

This week's action:  On April 8th, the House passed the bill 106-12. It now goes to the Governor.

 

- - - - -

 

SENATE 0006 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville and 8 others). Similar to HOUSE 7189. This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. It would require that more than 50 percent of the salary of instructional personnel and school-based administrators (including those in charter schools) would be based on student learning gains and would require differentiated pay for difficult assignments. It would forbid school districts from considering an employee's experience or education in its salary schedule, although a controversial amendment apparently would allow advanced degrees to be considered in individual cases if they can be demonstrated to contribute to improved learning gains. It would withhold five percent of the total local, state, and federal funding allocated for each district to be held in a special incentive fund for performance pay. It would abolish professional services contracts for teachers hired after July 1, 2010 and limit those teachers to holding only probationary or annual contracts. It would also require that non-instructional personnel would be compensated under a performance pay plan. It would require all high schools (including all charter high schools) to implement end-of-course examinations in all subjects not tested with FCAT, IB, AP, or similar examinations. The bill provides for the suspension or removal of a superintendent whose standardized testing program is found to be out of compliance with security requirements. The bill would shorten the time available to obtain professional certification and would abolish certification on the basis of a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards credential. The bill would limit Dale Hickam bonuses for National Board teachers to those who who already hold a National Board certificate and who are currently teaching. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10th by a 6-2 vote. It was approved by the Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means on March 19th by a 15-8 vote. On March 24, the bill was approved with six amendments by a 21-17 vote mostly along party lines (four Republicans voted against the bill and no Democrats voted for it.) The Governor has indicated he would likely sign the bill if approved by the House.

 

This week's action: On April 8th, the House approved the bill 64-55. The Governor now has seven days to sign it or veto it.

 

- - - - -

 

SENATE 1344 (by Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach). This bill reduces state costs of providing the Bright Futures scholarships by increasing the legibility requirements and by raising the academic requirements necessary to maintain the scholarships. On March 25th, the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means approved by the bill by an 18-5 vote. On March 31st, the Senate approved the bill by a 33-4 vote.

 

This week's action: None.

 

- - - - -

 

SENATE 2022 (by J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales) would require Florida Retirement System-covered employees to contribute 0.25% of their gross salary to the state retirement fund. This would be a historic change, since FRS would thus become a member-contributory system for the first time in the era of the current retirement system. On March 25th, the bill was approved by the  Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means in a 15-8 vote. On March 31st, the bill was passed by the Senate in a 26-7 vote.

 

This week's action: In conference with the House.

 

- - - - -

 

SENATE 2126 (by Joe Negron, R-Palm City and 18 others) would expand Florida's private school voucher program, currently funded by corporate tax credits. The bill would increase the per-student amount paid to private schools from the current $3,950 to an estimated $5,500, or a total cost of about $140 million. On March 16th, the bill was approved by the Senate Finance and Tax Committee by 4-1 vote. On March 19th, the bill was approved 16-6 by the Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means. On March 24th, the bill was approved by the Senate on a 27-11 vote

 

This week's action: None.

 

- - - - -

 

SENATE 2262 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville) Similar to HOUSE 1173. authorizes charter schools to operate as franchises of the Florida Virtual School. It provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School or a franchisee, and provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered in the school district in which the student resides. The bill requires that high school students take at least one virtual course.

 

This week's action: None.

 

- - - - -

 

HOUSE 5101 (by Anitere Flores, R-Miami and 13 others) addresses multiple topics. It requires school districts to make contingency plans for class size compliance pending the outcome of the proposed November 2010 constitutional amendment. This bill would have the constitutional class size calculations be based on February reporting rather than October, and increase the fiscal penalty for non-compliance to include the base student allocation in addition to the class size allocation for all students over the constitutional limits. It requires detailed reported on the education of gifted students. This bill would require that all high school materials be primarily adopted and delivered in electronic format and promotes adoption of electronic learning management systems. The bills provides additional rules regarding admission of virtual school students, including a sibling eligibility provision. On March 23rd, the bill was approved by the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development by a 12-5 vote. The bill was approved by the House on April 1st in a 74-45 vote.

 

This week's action: The bill was approved by the Senate on April 6th in a 28-11 vote and is now in messages.

 

- - - - -

 

HOUSE 5701 (by David Rivera, R-Miami and 17 others) would abolish the health insurance subsidy of up to $150 per month currently paid to FRS retirees who have health insurance. On March 23rd, the bill was approved by the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development in an 11-6 vote. On April 1, the bill was approved by the House in a 63-56 vote.

 

This week's action: In conference with the Senate.

 

* * * * *

 

NCES RELEASES GOBS OF NEW EDUCATION STATISTICS; POLICY WONKS AND DATA DWEEBS REJOICE

 

The National Center for Education Statistics has released several key new reports (including the indispensible Digest of Education Statistics), so it's time to update your score sheets, report cards, talking points, and grant proposals with the latest numbers.

 

NCES: Digest of Education Statistics <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010013.pdf>  (PDF)

 

NCES: Postsecondary Institutions, Graduation Rates, & Financial Statistics <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010152.pdf>  (PDF)

 

NCES: The Nation's Report Card: Reading <http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2009/2010458.pdf>  (PDF)

 

NCES: Alternative Schools and Programs for Public School Students At Risk of Educational Failure <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010026.pdf>  (PDF)

 

* * * * *

 

FLORIDA'S CENSUS RETURN RATES LAGGING BEHIND

 

The decennial U.S. Census was held on April 1st, and the majority of Americans simply fill out the brief survey and return it by mail. Census enumerators then follow up to visit the non-responding households in a sustained effort to get a precise count of who lives where. In the short term, how many people live in a particular jurisdiction affects all sorts of planning, budgeting, and funding activities, notably eligibility for grants and other assistance. Unfortunately, Florida's return rate so far seems to be lagging behind other states. In Miami, for example, the current return rate is about 32%, which is only about half of the rate for the same area in 2000. If Florida ends up with an undercount, this will not only effect short-term funding in a negative way, but may also diminish the expected gains in congressional districting.

 

If you're not doing it already, encourage everyone you meet to send their Census form back today. You can also check out how your own town is doing in real time at the Census Bureau's handy-dandy "Take 10" map page <http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/> .

 

U.S. Census: 2010 Census Mail Participation Rates in Parts of Florida Behind Rest of the Nation <http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/mail-participation-rates-in-parts-of-florida.html>  (Web page)

 

Rose Institute: Florida Redistricting: The Complete Analysis <http://rosereport.org/20100222/florida-redistricting-the-complete-analysis/#more-2521>  (Web page)

 

* * * * *

 

RUNNING THE NUMBERS

 

 

 

(1) Value of recurring sales tax breaks provided by HB 711 to yacht buyers: $1.5 million

 

(2) Dropout rate of Hispanic students in Florida: 4.5

 

(3) Dropout rate of Hispanic students in Ohio: 19.6

 

(4) Census return rate for Estero: 70%

 

(5) Census return rate for Captiva Island, just a few miles away: 18%

 

Sources

 

(1) Florida House of Representatives Staff Analysis <http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h0711c.EDCA.doc&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=0711&Session=2010>  (PDF)

 

(2-3) NCES Digest of Education Statistics, Table 106 <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010013.pdf>  (PDF)

 

(4-5) Bureau of the Census <http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/>  (Web page)

 

* * * * *

 

 

YouTube - Teacher Tenure Bill Has Uncertain Future



April 08, 2010 — Senate Bill 6 is slated for final passage late this afternoon, although the debate could go long into the evening. Legislation to change the teaching profession in ways it has never seen, including tenure and basing pay on student performance, continues to barrel its way through the state legislature. GOP leaders are refusing suggested changes from Democrats and their own members and As Mike Vasilinda tells us, opponents only hope of stopping the bill is a veto from Governor Charlie Crist.

House passes teacher tenure bill; will Crist sign it? - St. Petersburg Times

House passes teacher tenure bill; will Crist sign it? - St. Petersburg Times

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Class Size Modification Wins a Place on the Ballot

Class Size Modification

Wins Place on the Ballot

 

          A constitutional amendment to allow local educators and parents limited flexibility in meeting class size mandates passed the House of Representatives today .  The measure has already been approved by the Senate.

 

          The House vote was 77-41 with both Democrats and Republicans in support.

 

          The proposal, sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville) and Representative Will Weatherford  (R-Zephyrhills), would maintain the small class sizes guaranteed by the Florida Constitution but would permit them to be calculated on a school average.

 

          "Representative Weatherford's leadership made the difference in gaining legislative approval," Gaetz said in praising the House sponsor.  " He is a strong and effective partner and it's a privilege to work with him."  Four previous attempts to modify the class size amendment failed.

 

          Senate Joint Resolution 2 now goes to the voters at the November 10, 2010, election.  Sixty percent of voters must agree in order for the modified language to be added to the Constitution.

 

          Under an amendment passed by voters in 2002, class sizes are limited to 18 students in kindergarten through third grade, 22 students in fourth through eighth grade and 25 students in high school core classes.  The limits have been phased in, first using a district-wide average and currently a school average. 

 

If the Gaetz-Weatherford proposal is not adopted by voters, every classroom in every public school in the state would be held to an inflexible limit.  Principals, teachers and parents testified before the Legislature that "hard caps" would cause disruption in the learning environment if classes have to be split mid-year when students move in and out of the neighborhood.

 

The Department of Education estimates that SJR 2 will save cash-strapped schools at least $350 million next year.  Florida taxpayers have already spent $16 billion implementing the class size mandates passed in 2002.

 

          SJR 2 is supported by the Florida School Board Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Florida Association of School Administrators, the Florida Chamber of Commerce  as well as many teachers and parents. 

 

          The Florida Education Association, the state teachers union, is the only organized group to oppose the modification.

 

          Gaetz said he was urged to take on the issue by school officials, classroom teachers and parent leaders in Northwest Florida. 

 

          ### 

For more information about this or any other issue, please contact Senator Don Gaetz, by e-mail at gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov, by letter, 4300 Legendary Drive, Suite 230, Destin, FL 32541or call 1-866-450-4DON toll free from anywhere in Florida. 

To subscribe/ unsubscribe, please visit www.senatordongaetzreports.com  

 

HB 7189 (SB6)

It appears that unless there is a miracle the House will pass HB 7189 (SB6) sometime tonight. We all must remember there are 3 branches of government. Once the Governor receives the bill he has 7 days to sign it or veto it! We cannot allow ourselves to fall into a false sense of security because the media is hinting the Governor will veto this bill. NOW IS THE TIME TO REALLY TURN THE PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNOR!!!! We have to make sure he has so much heat that he must veto this bill.

This bill is anti: student, teacher, parent, public school, conservative, liberal, progressive, republican and democrat.

This bill: guts local control of schools, expands testing, bases all school and personnel decisions on a test score—tests which have not been developed or validated.

This bill in one great big “trust the DOE”. I said in testimony on Monday—we don’t trust the DOE!

Every single member MUST contact the Governor before they enjoy their weekend…we must act now and we must act quickly! This is our opportunity to seize the moment and we can’t miss the target—it’s the Governor!!!!!!!!

Andy Ford, President

Florida Education Association

NEA, AFT, AFL-CIO

Imagine The Future!

 

Florida public schools are under attack.  Our hope lies with our Governor, Charlie Crist, and his use of the veto. 

For the sake of Florida's public schools I ask you to do three things:

 

 

A reality check on the Legislature's attack on the teaching profession


Facts_Side_by_Side.pdf
Letter_Diane_Ravitch.pdf
Sample_Letter.pdf
FEA


Colleagues:

You might have been contacted by the Florida Department of Education teacher liaison, who recently wrote to teachers about legislation that is currently being considered at the Florida Capitol.

We found her letter on the legislation - designated Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 7189 - to be misleading and inaccurate. Make no mistake, the DOE is using their email access to manipulate and/or ignore the facts, certainly not to enlighten you. This is clearly a misuse of their mission, their access to you... and the teacher liaison position. Taxpayer dollars are being used to mislead us on this bill and to get parents and teachers to pipe down about their opposition to this bad legislation.

Here is a "reality check" on the DOE rhetoric on SB 6/HB 7189:
  • This legislation would require the development of scores of end-of-course exams, which would be used to determine if students made learning gains. These tests are not currently developed and how they would measure those learning gains have not been developed either.
  • It is clear that there are tremendous costs that are associated with the passage of this legislation. The analysis of the bill by those who developed this legislation says that the actual price tag is "indeterminate," which means they don't know what it will cost. Yet the Legislature has allocated no money for this purpose.
  • In fact, the legislation seeks to pay for these costs by holding back 5 percent of each district's budget. Yes, the same budget that has been cut for the past few years and that each district is struggling with every year. That means there will be even less money available for salaries, programs and school operations. All of this while districts seek to comply with this legislation and other costly mandates that are currently being considered by the Legislature.
  • The legislation states, without equivocation: "A district school board may not use length of service or degrees held as a factor in setting a salary schedule." So experience and knowledge are no longer important in the classroom?
  • The salary schedule would not be subject to collective bargaining and the state will decide what categories of differentiated pay will be provided for.
  • Probationary contracts are issued for up to five years, after which a teacher could get an annual contract if they are rated effective or highly effective, which will be defined by the DOE, not the school district. The state will have a much greater hand in appraisals.
  • The bill would abolish the Dale Hickam Excellent Teacher program, which rewards teachers who have attained National Board Certification.
We know you are busy, but if you find the time, we've provided three links to PDF documents for your use. The Facts Side by Side sheet examines what proponents have been saying about this legislation, information that proponents aren't talking about, and what the bill actually does. We've also included a link to a letter by nationally known education expert Diane Ravitch, who was an education official during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, and is strongly opposed to the approach this legislation takes. We've also included a sample letter you can use as a starter should you wish to write to the teacher liaison.

Facts_Side_by_Side.pdf
Letter_Diane_Ravitch.pdf
Sample_Letter.pdf

I guess the DOE hopes to lull you into inaction on this legislation, which impacts the teaching profession and local control of our public schools. Using tax dollars to manipulate practicing educators and blatantly promote dangerously flawed legislation is outrageous! A reprimand from the governor is in order.

Andy Ford
President, Florida Education Association