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Who graduates and who doesn’t: An explanation of Florida’s graduation rates

1/5/2016

With today’s release of graduation rates by the Florida Department of Education, many have wondered — how is this rate calculated? Who “counts” toward the graduation rate and who doesn’t?

Keep reading to learn more.

The role of learning gains in new school grades decisions

1/5/2016

As we’ve been covering closely over the past several weeks, and considering over the past few years, some major changes to the state’s testing and accountability system are expected to be finally decided at tomorrow’s State Board of Education meeting in Tallahassee.

One more critical aspect we want to be sure to highlight before the vote is what the lack of any learning gains points components in baseline new school grades calculations could mean, both this year and in ramifications for years beyond.

On January 6, the State Board of Education is set to make some important accountability decisions — here's what you need to know

1/4/2016

On Wednesday, January 6, the State Board of Education is set to vote on some important school accountability measures, including cut scores for the Florida Standards Assessment and a new way to calculate school grades.

Keep reading to learn more and what you can do.

Guest post: Advocacy is a part of my daily life

12/29/2015

What does it mean to be an advocate for your child and others within the community? It means you’re willing to write your local legislators, equip yourself with knowledge and have meaningful conversations with others from both sides of an issue. Guest blogger Karen Prewitt, Vice Chair of the Exceptional Student Education Advisory Committee, shares her views on advocacy as a parent for children with disabilities.  - Ale’ta Turner

Guest post: Teaching for global competence in Northeast Florida

12/27/2015

I’m excited to introduce guest blogger, Uli Decker, the Director of Education & Community Outreach of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. Uli shares her organization’s motivation behind the development of the new Sandra L. Cook Global Teacher Enrichment Program, a teacher enrichment program enabling middle and high school teachers to travel, interact and connect on a global scale. - Megan Hubbuch