Guest post: How to walk in the moccasins of our students
12/18/2015
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It’s important to recognize the challenges that our students have to overcome in schools and beyond. That’s why the Jacksonville Public Education Fund continues to elevate the voices of those who work directly with students. Erica Rickey, City Year Team Leader at Smart Pope Livingston Elementary shares how corp members walk in the moccasins of students on a daily basis.
City Year is an organization that deploys diverse team of young adults to serve full-time as mentors and role models to help keep students in school and on track to graduate. - Ale’ta Turner
Bipartisan win for kids in post-NCLB federal education bill
12/17/2015
President Barack Obama signed last week a bill to replace the much-maligned No Child Left Behind act. Formally referred to as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the law was supported by a strong bipartisan majority in both the House and Senate.
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Pulling apart the proposed changes to school grades
12/16/2015
Last week, the state Department of Education released data projecting “simulated” school grades for the 2014-2015 school year, based on what those grades could look like if a series of accountability rule changes under consideration are approved by the State Board of Education in January.
A major source of surprise (and some confusion) about the simulated grades was that, on the whole, the numbers of A, B, C, D, and F schools respectively appeared that they would remain relatively unchanged from the 2013-2014 totals. Check out our new simulator tool to see one reason why that was.
Read MoreMaking sense of your child’s math homework
12/14/2015
The Florida Standards will make our children critical thinkers and better prepared for the future. However the transition to higher standards for local students, teachers and parents can be challenging at times. As a parent, Ale'ta Turner experiences on a first-hand basis the positives and, at times, challenging math homework assignments.
Read MoreGuest post: My kid goes to a “D” school … and I love it
12/11/2015
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund continues to highlight diverse voices and perspectives on public education issues. That's why we're glad to share guest blogger, Jason Roth of United Way of Northeast Florida article on his involvement at West Riverside Elementary.
Continue reading to see why Jason believes West Riverside Elementary is more than its school grade.
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President’s Corner: Reflecting on High School Graduation in a Pandemic
JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune shares her thoughts as the parent of a senior.
High school graduation has been a recurring theme in the life of JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune. In a new Q&A, Rachael shared what high school graduation means to her, and offered some words of inspiration for fellow parents who are w ...Read More
Half-penny sales tax will go on the ballot in fall 2020
Education advocates reacted to the news by saying they'll support the sales tax.
“This is a long-awaited historic moment in Duval County,” said JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune. “Our students need 21st century schools, and our independent research has shown that 78.5 percent of Duval County residents support ...Read More
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Education Innovator Speaks in Jacksonville about What Students Need to Succeed in the 21st Century
JPEF also celebrated 10 years of impact and launched a new School Leadership Initiative.
Dr. Tony Wagner, an internationally acclaimed author and education innovator, shared a thought-provoking message about the future of education with more than 350 education and community leaders today as the keynote speaker of the Jacksonville Publ ...Read More