Tuesday, July 30, 2013

AP Exclusive: GOP donor's school grade changed

FILE - In this July 10, 2012, file photo then Indiana school Superintendent Dr. Tony Bennett speaks in Indianapolis. Bennett built his national star by promising to hold 'failing' schools accountable. But when it appeared an Indianapolis charter school run by a prominent Republican donor might receive a poor grade, Bennett's education team frantically overhauled his signature 'A-F' school grading system to improve the school's marks from at 'C' to and 'A'. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
FILE - In this July 10, 2012, file photo then Indiana school Superintendent Dr. Tony Bennett speaks in Indianapolis. Bennett built his national star by promising to hold "failing" schools accountable. But when it appeared an Indianapolis charter school run by a prominent Republican donor might receive a poor grade, Bennett's education team frantically overhauled his signature "A-F" school grading system to improve the school's marks from at "C" to and "A". (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Thursday, June 27, 2013

FSCA Advocacy Update - June 27, 2013

June 27, 2013
You can help advance school counseling in Florida right now (Yes, this summer).
FSCA is now launching Year 3 of our three-year advocacy plan. In Year 1, FSCA hired a consultant to help us develop and deliver a proposed Bill that included provisions for (a) lowering ratios, (b) protecting appropriate counseling duties, (c) moving from "guidance counselor" to "school counselor," and (d) ensuring that all schools have at least one full time school counselor. The bill was did well in the Senate although not so well in the House. It was never heard.

In year 2, a bit of language was changed to further the likelihood of the bill passing although all four areas of change from Year 1 stayed the same. FSCA worked to partner with other organizations, especially including parents, and increased it's communications with private school counselors as well as public school counselors. In year 2, FSCA also increased it's efforts in Tallahassee by meeting with several legislators and representatives from the Governor's office. The Bill received much greater attention and traction as it was referred to several different committees and was discussed/debated on both the House and Senate floors.  Unfortunately, the bill was amended in a way that resulted in only one of the four goals -- changing our title to Certified School Counselor.

Although FSCA was disappointed that more of the bill was not passed, we still consider this a success. Thousands of bills are introduced in the Florida legislature every year and only a relative handful are heard. Still fewer arrive on the Governor's desk. Although not as comprehensive as we would like, our bill (CS/CS/SB 1664) was approved by Governor Scott on 06/14/2013.
Year 3 (NOW). FSCA continues to work diligently on a bill that would help school counselors do their work by having more reasonable ratios.

How You can Help.

The time is now to contact your Representatives and Senators and let them know that, as their elected officials, you expect them to look out for the new bill when it is introduced and that they should support it. Let them know about how important school counseling is to student success, graduation rates, school safety, and Florida's economic future. You can use this handout when you meet with them and also include these as talking points for emails and letters.
Advocacy is very expensive. If you are currently a FSCA member, we thank you for your support, this work could not happen without you. However, we can do more. If you are receiving this and are not a current member, please enroll now. One hundred percent (100%) of member dues funds our mission and goals, a large part of which is advocacy. Click here to renew a membership or here to enroll as a new member. Also, we hope to see you at the 2013 Convention (see below) where we will have presentations about advocacy and, of course, much more.

Updated FSCA Advocacy Platform. FSCA has just published its updated Advocacy platform, take a few minutes to have a look.

FSCA started a new partnership and collaboration this year with FCAN (Florida College Access Network) to collect data and develop policies about helping kids become more college and career ready. The policy brief has just been published:Is Florida (College & Career) Ready? Putting Common Core in Context. Read this important policy brief from the Florida College Access Network.  Here is an excerpt:

Schools need added supports to help students be prepared for college and careers because their capacity to assist students with each component of college and career readiness can be limited. Within schools, the responsibility to coordinate college and career readiness activities (beyond instruction) for students lies with the school counselors. In Florida, these professionals are responsible for academic advising, career development, college counseling, financial aid counseling and much more.42 According to the Florida Department of Education handbook for school counselors, they “are a key resource for providing appropriate advice related to secondary courses selection and postsecondary planning.” The Education Trust and the College Board have also emerged since states began adopting Common Core to assert the importance school counselors have on efforts to improve students’ college and career readiness.

2013 Annual Convention: The most focused program in school counseling in Florida, the 2013 FSCA Convention will be delivered by thoughtful leaders from Florida and throughout the United States. The hottest and most relevant topics will be explored by leading industry advocates, state officials, counselor educators and, most importantly, professional school counselors! 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Tight budgets threaten resource for Lee County schools

At the start of a school day, Janet Borchers is at the front of Spring Creek Elementary School greeting kids and parents.

On any given day, school counselor Borchers can be helping students deal with abuse, a death in the family, a parent’s arrest or simply arguments with classmates. She’s their go-to resource at the Bonita Springs school. But she has 700 students to keep track of, a workload that educators say is too large. It’s a problem popping up in many areas of the state, but is particularly bad in Southwest Florida.

Lee County ranks 64th out of 67 school districts in counselor-to-student ratio, according to the state Department of Education. The department, the American School Counselor Association and the Florida School Counselor Association all recommend that school districts maintain a 1-to-250 counselor to student ratio at every level.

The problem has been getting worse as budgets tighten, mandates increase and school principals have to make hard choices about what positions to keep. Often they cut counselor positions in favor of instructional positions.

In Lee, the average ratio for elementary schools is 1-to-923, for middle schools it’s 1-to-565 and 1-to-532 for high schools.

Read more >>>

Governor Scott's Response to FSCA about Salaries

Friday, May 31, 2013

Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Keep Floridians Safe


 
Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Keep Floridians Safe
 
Dear Friends,
 
We made great progress this week in keeping Floridians safe on the road and in their communities. As a father and grandfather, texting while driving is a concern I share with many Floridians whose loved ones travel the roads. The “Texting While Driving” bill that I signed into law this week will encourage drivers to practice responsible driving habits and keep our streets safe. In addition, I signed two bills that will protect victims of human trafficking. These bills will support the victims of this heartbreaking abuse as they set out on the journey of recovery.

Also this week, we visited south Florida to highlight a plan to invest $880 million for supporting the restoration of the Everglades. This historic legislation begins a long-term commitment to protecting Florida’s most delicate natural treasure. I would like to thank all state, local and federal officials who played a role in passing these bills and improving the lives of Florida families.
 
 
Read the press releases:
 
   

Thursday, May 30, 2013

HB 801 was just signed into law


FSCA has just received word from the Governor's office that HB 801 was just signed into law! The law requires counselors in elementary, middle, & high schools to be certified school counselors.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

HB 801 Update

HB 801 was presented to the Governor and he has until June 4, 2013 to act on it. FSCA has already reached out to his Legislative Affairs Director, Darrick McGhee, to inform him about the bill.  We will keep you posted.   

Monday, May 20, 2013

GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET


 
 
GOVERNOR SCOTT SIGNS FLORIDA FAMILIES FIRST BUDGET
 
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Families First Budget. Below is Governor Scott’s letter to Secretary Detzner, followed by links to budget highlights.
 
To view the full veto letter, click HERE.
 
Additionally, Governor Scott today signed 16 bills to implement the budget. For a list of the bills signed today, click HERE.
 
Dear Secretary Detzner:
 
By the authority vested in me as Governor of Florida, under the provisions of Article III, Section 8, of the Constitution of Florida, I do hereby withhold my approval of portions of Senate Bill 1500, enacted during the 45th Session of the Legislature convened under the Constitution of 1968, and entitled:
 
An act making appropriations; providing monies for the annual period beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014, to pay salaries, and other expenses, capital outlay - buildings, and other improvements, and for other specified purposes of the various agencies of State government; providing an effective date.
We first recommended the Florida Families First budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 to make strategic investments in support of continued economic growth and job creation. This final budget, as passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law today, does in fact put Florida Families First by investing in economic development initiatives and making a record investment in our K-12 schools, including the $480 million we requested to give Florida teachers a well-deserved pay raise.
 
We made strategic investments in this budget, while holding the line on spending that does not give Florida taxpayers a positive return on investment. In order to ensure all taxpayer funds are well spent, I have vetoed special legislative projects totaling $368 million. Therefore, the Florida Families First budget now totals $74.1 billion.
 
The Florida Families First budget includes $1.2 billion in taxpayer savings. This budget also reflects the smallest state government workforce per 1,000 residents in Florida in this century. The Florida Families First budget is one of our state’s smallest budgets this century, when adjusted for population growth and inflation.
 
We are also holding the line on tuition by vetoing the Legislature’s recommended 3 percent tuition increase on our college and university students. Higher education is one of the best ways we can prepare Floridians to get a great job. It is also one of the best ways we can provide every family the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of where they start in life. I believe that I would not have had the opportunity to start a business, or even serve this great state, if I had not had the benefit of a higher education experience. Therefore, I believe it is incumbent upon state leaders to ensure the cost of higher education remains accessible to as many Floridians as possible. Florida should be proud that we have one of the most affordable high-quality college and university systems in the country – now also offering $10,000 baccalaureate degree programs. Just as we are proud to be one of only a few states without a state income tax, and one of only a few states that have cut taxes and paid down state debt, even in tough budget years, we should also be proud to keep tuition low in Florida.
 
The Florida Families First budget is about helping the majority of Florida families, most of which are making $50,000 or less a year, struggling to make ends meet, and working hard to achieve their version of the American dream. We know that investing in economic development and our K-12 education system is working to create more jobs and opportunity in our state. Our unemployment rate has now dropped to 7.2 percent – well below the national average, and we are already almost half way to our 2010 goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years.
 
Other press releases:
 
Florida Families First Budget Includes Historic K-12 Education Funding: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Business Development and Job Growth: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Keeping Florida Families and Visitors Safe: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Supports Florida Seniors: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Makes Strategic Transportation Investments: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests in Priorities for Disability Community and Vulnerable Populations: click HERE
Florida Families First Budget Invests to Protect Florida’s Natural Resources: click HERE
For Governor Scott’s 2013 Veto List: click HERE
   

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Update on Counselors--- SB 154 and HB 801


Advocacy Update
Counselors--- SB 154 and HB 801
Last year, FSCA embarked on a three year plan to move Florida's Guidance Counselors into the 21st century. Here is our score card so far:

Year One's plan was to create awareness of school counseling among legislators in Florida. Instead, our issues and goals resonated with a champion in each chamber and legislation was filed in both Senate and House to change our name, align assignments to training and student needs for access, and increase access by ensuring counselors in all schools with ratios closer to the national standard. The legislation was heard in at least one committee and had a highly positive reception.

While we had hoped to file legislation in Year 2 with plans for hearings in later years, we capitalized on our momentum, improved our legislative goals, and filed our legislation again. This time, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, once again filed the Senate Bill in January and newly elected Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, filed the companion bill in February. By the end of April our efforts were rewarded by having our bills heard in committee and passed in a revised form. This is a major accomplishment when you consider that usually only about 10 percent of filed bills are passed each year. And that number may even be less this year. This bill represents a victory on the way to achieving our full legislative agenda for Florida's students. In this first phase we achieved our name change from Guidance Counselor to School Counselor.
During the session, each of the bills were referenced to three legislative committees in their respective chambers. In these meetings, there were discussions about the fiscal impact of the proposed ratios (and they were thus removed) and discussions about whether assignments should remain in local control. After much discussion and strategizing, it was determined to defer job assignments and ratios to year three. This was validated by two things, first, the bills were heard in a combined six committees with much discussion on the value of certified school counselors, and the fact the bill needs to now move forward with looking at ratios. Legislators were actually raising the issue a need for ratios! The second is the emergence of a partnership with the PTA. They actually had a representative in the committee room, who on at least three occasions, filed a committee form to wave in support of our bill. They are interested in continuing to help us move this initiative forward next year.

Year three (next year), capitalizing on this momentum, we need the membership of FSCA to set up meetings with their local legislators. As we prepare for our biggest effort next year, please go and talk to them, and explain what you do and what they can do to help you do a better job to support your school, the student and their families. Legislators will be back in their district offices over the summer and will have more time to spend talking to you.
As you plan for next year, plan to go to Tallahassee with FSCA to meet with legislators. We believe that the ones who did found it to be enlightening and it sent a powerful message.

Finally, during our “Day on the Hill", FSCA representatives and their advocate, Carole Green arranged an appointment in the Governor’s Office with two members of his staff. Along with discussing our legislation, they also discussed the Governor’s proposal for the across the board $2,500 pay increase for just classroom teachers. We believe these discussions and our awareness campaign contributed to ensuring that school counselors will now receive the same pay increase as other instructional employees.

Thanks to Carole Green and our legislative champions this year, Sen. Detert, Dane Eagle and other who cosponsored and helped our efforts behind the scenes, get ready for action this summer and next year. Get active!   

Friday, April 26, 2013

Legislative Update


HB 801 was read a second time in the House today.  The bill was amended to take out the following line:

Certified school counselors shall perform only the duties and functions as provided by law and may only be used as support staff for coordinating, administering, or monitoring academic testing and testing programs.

It will match up with SB 154.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Update: S 154 (2013) Certified School Counselors



SENATE -On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 04/23/13, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building 
SENATE -Now in Appropriations 

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/154 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

SB 154 passed the Senate Subcommittee on Education this morning


SB 154 passed the Senate Subcommittee on Education this morning without any amendment.  It will now go to the Appropriations Committee and then to the Senate Floor.  


http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0154

Saturday, April 13, 2013

UPDATE: S 154 (2013) Certified School Counselors

S 154 (2013) Certified School Counselors
SENATE -On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, 04/17/13, 8:30 am, 412 Knott Building 

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/154 

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Legislative Alert: April 2, 2013

The Florida School Counselor Association Day on the Hill was quite successful. The FSCA delegation was able to hold meetings with Senators Detert and Richter as well as Representatives Eagle, Hudson, Caldwell, Fitzenhagen, Roberson, and Rodrigues. The main focus of our meetings was to advance understanding and solicit support of the Student Failure Prevention Act.Here is the latest: 

The FSCA Bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee on 04/01/13, 3:15 pm, 412 Knott Building. You can watch the replay online by clicking here (an edited version of the bill was heard in the first 5 minutes).  Right now, FSCA is working with our legislative consultant and various legislators to (a) negotiate the most comprehensive and effective bill possible and (b) keep the bill moving forward.  
We need your help now more than ever to get the word out via email, phone, and fax. Go here to get a template that you can use. 

Help parents and guardians do the same by visiting this page

Track the bills:
SB 154: Certified School Counselors
HB 801: Certified School Counselors


In other news, the President has signed the Appropriations Package Including ESSCP for Fiscal Year 2013. Read more here.

Friday, March 29, 2013

President Signs Appropriations Package Including ESSCP for Fiscal Year 2013



News from ASCA
President Signs Appropriations Package Including ESSCP for Fiscal Year 2013

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP), the only federal program dedicated to creating and expanding school counseling services in America's public schools, remains funded in FY13. Although the House of Representatives attempted to eliminate the program, the Senate and House ultimately agreed to fund ESSCP at approximately $49.665 million. The FY13 funding amount is a cut of more than 5 percent from FY12 levels due to the federal sequester that took place on March 1.

The continued funding of ESSCP, despite numerous proposals to eliminate, is a testament to your grassroots efforts. Thank you to everyone who took time out of your busy day to make a phone call, send an e-mail or visit your elected official to discuss the important work school counselors are doing every day. The Senate stood behind this program, countering the House's request to eliminate the program and saving it from catastrophic cuts. ASCA will formally thank both the House and Senate for preserving this program for another year.

What Happens Next?
School districts that were awarded grants in either FY11 or FY12 will receive continued funding for 2013. Historically, a grant competition has not occurred in years ending in an odd number; instead, the next number of qualifying grants from the FY12 competition would be awarded. If, in fact, a FY13 grant competition does take place, ASCA will send out an alert to all members when the U.S. Department of Education releases the request for proposals and will also post the application process on the ASCA website, the ASCA SCENE, Twitter and Facebook pages.

We Continue the Effort for FY14
ASCA has already initiated advocacy efforts for FY14 (which begins Oct. 1, 2013) funding. In addition to advocacy visits with congressional staff, ASCA member Kristen Sands from Jacksonville Heights Elementary School testified before the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee in an appropriations hearing on the importance of the ESSCP. Read her testimony here.

For further information regarding ASCA's legislative affairs efforts contact Amanda Fitzgerald.
Sincerely,


Amanda Fitzgerald
ASCA Director of Public Policy
afitzgerald@schoolcounselor.org

phone: 703-683-ASCA

SB 154: Certified School Counselors

The FSCA Bill is on Committee agenda!
Education, 04/01/13, 3:15 pm, 412 Knott Building
You can watch online live by going to http://www.flsenate.gov/Media/#broadcast

Friday, March 15, 2013

Parents, Guardians, Grandparents: School Counselors Need your Help!









Parents, Guardians, Grandparents: School Counselors Need your Help!

The Florida Legislation is currently in session and considering the Student Failure Prevention Act (see http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0154). This bill will do several things which include:

Defines the best use of these highly trained professionals;
Requires every school provide at least one and sufficient additional full-time school counselors;
Moves Florida's schools closer to the nationally recommended School Counselor to student standard ratio of 1:250 and thus to well-planned and accountable school counseling programs.

Step 1: Look up your legislators

Representatives:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives/myrepresentative.aspx

Senators: http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find

Step 2: Use the template below as a guide to write them an email and/or fax. Also feel free to call their offices and speak to either him/her or his/her aid.

Step 3: Call your local media (e.g., news, radio) and make your voice heard.



March 15, 2013

The Honorable ____________________

As a parent of a xxxx school student and one of your constituents, I want to voice my support for the Student Failure Prevention Act being considered in the current legislative session (SB 154 and HB 801). I believe that school counselors are vital partners in helping our children to achieve and succeed. In fact, I am very concerned to have learned that, on average, there is only one counselor to approximately 500 students in Florida schools and some schools have no counselor at all.

Perhaps a personal story or bit of information here ...

I want my tax money to support this bill which will put more counselors in more schools and help them to work directly with our children. Parents, teachers, administrators and others can help although cannot fully prepare our children to be college and career ready, to learn the personal and social skills necessary for the 21st century workplace, or to navigate intricate academic requirements. Without more school counselors who work directly with students, only some will get attention and other students will be robbed of the help they deserve.

School counselors are unique as the only specially trained professional to help ALL students meet academic, behavior and career standards.  They help to protect bullying victims and teach bullies new behaviors; they focus on keeping students in school and moving toward college, careers, and jobs; and they teach the key skills and attitudes that build our future workforce.

By following national and state standards and evidence-based practices, school counselors work with individual and groups of students, teachers, administrators, and families, in and out of the classroom.  They are experts who develop and deliver targeted programs to ALL students, Pre-K through 12.  These standards and practices are supported by diverse state and national groups including both the Florida and American School Counselor Associations, Kresge, Gates, and DeWitt Wallace Foundations and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

The time is now. We are facing a critical crossroads in education and for the first time in our history, this generation of students is at-risk of having lower educational attainment than that of their parents.  Florida in particular is facing historic economic challenges and a high student drop-out rate that can only be cured by investing in its present and future workforce in this way

My child deserves your support for the Student Failure Prevention Act.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXX
District name here

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

We Need Your Help Now!


March 13, 2013

The Florida School Counselor Association Day on the Hill was quite successful. The FSCA delegation was able to hold meetings with Senators Detert and Richter as well as Representatives Eagle, Hudson, Caldwell, Fitzenhagen, Roberson, and Rodrigues. The main focus of our meetings was to advance understanding and solicit support of the Student Failure Prevention Act which you can access online here. Remember, the bill addresses several actions:
  • Defines the best use of these highly trained professionals;
  • Requires every school provide at least one and sufficient additional full-time school counselors;
  • Moves Florida’s schools closer to the nationally recommended School Counselor to student standard ratio of 1:250 and thus to well-planned and accountable school counseling programs.
You can also access a one page flyer that FSCA used to summarize the nature of the bill here.
We Need Your Help Now!

The time is now as our legislators are currently in session. Locate your Representatives and Senators and let them know that you support the bill as a school counselor and/or a constituent. The bill numbers are SB 154 and HB 801. You can use the various documents linked in this update (see below).
NOTE: You should not use your school computer, fax machines, or email address when you correspond with your legislators. Use your personal computer and email address.
Salary Increases

The FSCA Day on the Hill also included  a productive meeting with Governor Scotts Policy Analysts about including counselors in the proposed $2500 salary increase. We believe we made a very compelling and stern case for why this would be appropriate, fair, and equitable. FSCA has also partnered with the FASP and FASSW to write a joint letter which you can access here.
Summary of Important Links
Photos

Check out a few photos of our meetings here.

Letter to School Board Members 2013

Include School Counselors in Salary Increase Proposal

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Advocacy for FSCA


Advocacy for FSCA

Our bill, SB 0154, Student Failure Prevention Act, has been filed again in Florida’s Senate by our Champion Senator Nancy Detert. Sen. Detert talks about our issue and this bill in every venue and to all legislators as much as possible. It is being drafted in the House and we expect filing before the deadline in early March. Rep. Adkins who filed our bill last year and is still a staunch supporter cannot file for us this year due to changes in her committee assignments. However, she is chair of an important committee to us and is working hard with FSCA to ensure that the bill gets filed and has support.


What you can do?


1. Write a note to Senator Detert thanking her for her tireless support.

2. Write a note to Rep Adkins and thank her for helping us help students.

3. Contact your own legislators (and others who may cover your school district in neighboring jurisdictions) and let each know that you want their support. (You can find your own and neighboring legislator names and contact information at http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find. Florida’s groupings of legislative delegations can be found here. 

Tell them that you support SB 154 and any companion legislation filed in the House to increase school counselors in every school, improve student access to counselors, and to ensure that every student has adequate and sufficient school counseling programs. Florida’s poor graduation rate would be improved by continuous and appropriate school counseling programs that focus on career and academic development. Furthermore, school counselors provide programs and skilled understanding of student’s personal and behavioral development to help be a first line of defense to promote student safety. ASCA’s recommendation of a ratio of 1 school counselor to 250 students coupled with ensuring that school counselors engaging in the jobs for which they are best trained and suited, is imperative to achieve our achievement, economic, and safety goals as a state.

Join FSCA in Tallahassee for FSCA legislative days on March 11 (for training) and 12 to see state lawmakers about school counseling. Please RSVP by emailing fsca@fla-schoolcounselor.org.

What you can do?

1. See if your spring break or school schedule will allow you to be in Tallahassee to join us. If you are on the clock on either of those days, make sure you have noted personal leave to Tallahassee.

2. If you can join us, please to arrive in the afternoon of March 11 for an update and training with our Advocacy consultant Carole Green.

3. Start contacting your legislators now to let them know who you are, what you are interested in, and that you will be contacting them for a brief appointment to see them on March 12 when you are in town.

4. Some tips: Do make arrangements for travel and lodging early as Tallahassee fills up quickly during session. Organize a group to carpool from your area. Invite school counseling students to join you if you have room in your car.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Clubs rather than approve gay-straight club



The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Lake County School Board (LCSB) is considering adopting new rules that would restrict extracurricular student clubs in secondary schools, as it is currently faced with a middle school student’s request, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), to form a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club. During a recent school board workshop, most members said they want to limit extracurricular student groups in secondary schools.

LCSB’s discussion was prompted by Carver Middle School (CMS) student Bayli Silberstein’s repeated attempts to form a GSA club at the school. After a request during the 2011-12 school year was denied, Silberstein reapplied to form the group in October 2012. CMS Principal Mollie Cunningham has yet to render a decision.

The ACLU, citing the federal Equal Access Act, which applies to secondary schools, says school districts cannot pick and choose which clubs to allow based on what they think students should or should not discuss. If a school allows any student group to meet that does not have a mission directly related to school academics, then it cannot deny other student groups the same access, according to the ACLU.

School Board members Bill Mathias, Debbie Stivender, and Chairwoman Kyleen Fischer spoke in favor of a rule that would ban extracurricular clubs in secondary schools. Board members Tod Howard and Rosanne Brandeburg favored banning extracurricular clubs only in middle schools.

Fischer said the district should focus on education and that “social engineering” is not the job of the School Board. “It is not our job to socially mentor students, but to educate them,” she said.

Howard said he was worried about the clubs that would be lost under stricter rules. “I am very concerned that one club would push out the remainder of the clubs that are doing good things,” he said.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, 2/5/13, By Erica Rodriguez

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

SB 0154, Student Failure Prevention Act


Our bill, SB 0154, Student Failure Prevention Act,  has been filed again in Florida’s Senate by our Champion Senator Nancy Detert.  Sen. Detert talks about our issue and this bill in every venue and to all legislators as much as possible.  It is being drafted in the House and we expect filing before the deadline in early March.  Rep. Adkins who filed our bill last year and is still a staunch supporter cannot file for us this year due to changes in her committee assignments.  However, she is chair of an important committee to us and is working hard with FSCA to ensure that the bill gets filed and has support.

What you can do? 

                1.  Write a note to Senator Detert thanking her for her tireless support. 
                2.  Write a note to Rep Adkins and thank her for helping us help students.
3. Contact your own legislators (and others who may cover your school district in neighboring jurisdictions) and let each know that you want their support.  (You can find your own and neighboring legislator names and contact information athttp://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find.   Florida’s groupings of legislative delegations can be found here.  
Tell them that you support SB 154 and any companion legislation filed in the House to increase school counselors in every school, improve student access to counselors, and to ensure that every student has adequate and sufficient school counseling programs.  Florida’s poor graduation rate would be improved by continuous and appropriate school counseling programs that focus on career and academic development.  Furthermore, school counselors provide programs and skilled understanding of student’s personal and behavioral development to help be a first line of defense to promote student safety.  ASCA’s recommendation of a ratio of 1 school counselor to 250 students coupled with ensuring that school counselors engaging in the jobs for which they are best trained and suited, is imperative to achieve our achievement, economic, and safety goals as a state.
Join FSCA in Tallahassee for FSCA legislative days on March 11 (for training) and 12 to see state lawmakers about school counseling.
What you do?
1.  See if your spring break or school schedule will allow you to be in Tallahassee to join us.  If you are on the clock on either of those days, make sure you have noted personal leave to Tallahassee.
2.  If you can join us, please to arrive in the afternoon of March 11 for an update and training with our Advocacy consultant Carole Green.
3.  Start contacting your legislators now to let them know who you are, what you are interested in, and that you will be contacting them for a brief appointment to see them on March 12 when you are in town. 
4.  Some tips: Do make arrangements for travel and lodging early as Tallahassee fills up quickly during session.  Organize a group to carpool from your area.  Invite school counseling students to join you if you have room in your car.  
 

A bill to keep the SAT and ACT scores for Bright Futures Medallion Program at the same cut score ...

A new bill filed by Representative Rangel of Osceola County and Senator Soto of Orange-Osceola needs your support. The house side bill is HB 387. The senate side bill is SB526. These bills have been introduced to keep the SAT and ACT scores for Bright Futures Medallion Program at the same cut score that they are for the seniors this year which is a 1020 SAT and a 22 ACT. As you know the increase in scores for the 13-14 school year is ridiculous 1170 SAT and 26 ACT. This cuts out about 70% of the students who would qualify under this years requirements. So the bills are extremely important so the students who are juniors this year will have a better chance of getting a scholarship that many Florida students rely upon.