Gradebook

If you ever had any question whether education is important in Florida, look no further than Tallahassee. Year after year, lawmakers and the governor have spent hours crafting policy ideas — good and bad — and even longer arguing about them. Even in the sessions when they announce they'll be giving the issue a rest. And 2020 is no different. So many controversies in the Capitol center on schooling subjects. Our Tallahassee bureau reporter Emily Mahoney joins education reporter Jeff Solochek to talk about the latest battles over vouchers, teacher pay, the Common Core and more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Who says the annual science fair has to be boring? Three Pasco County high school seniors took a challenge to devise a research project worthy of study in anti-gravity, and they now will send their effort to the International Space Station. Their teacher also is quick to point out that Krinn Technical students Amanda Marrero, Shelly Nonnenberg and Emily Null are women in a field dominated by men. What's on their minds? Marrero, Nonnenberg and Null talk about their studies, and the importance of science education, with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Superintendent searches serve to remind us of the important role that a chief executive plays in leading a school district to success. Everyone wants a "unicorn" — that unique someone who can do it all. But it's not always easy to find that person, as politics, loyalties and other agendas can interfere. All that came into play as Hillsborough County, the nation's seventh largest school system, looked for its next leader. And it's at issue in Pasco County, which elects its superintendent, as well. Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss superintendent appointments and elections, and why they matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida's Baker Act wasn't intended to apply to school children when created in the 1970s. Lawmakers wanted to make it easier to help adults with mental health concerns get treatment closer to home. Over the years, though, schools have turned to the measure as justification to take into custody for evaluation children deemed a threat to themselves or others. And the numbers have grown, although oversight has not. Reporters Megan Reeves and Jack Evans have been investigating the situation. They talk about the issues with reporter Jeff Solochek, including what corrections might be forthcoming in the 2020 Florida legislative session. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida's Legislature formally kicks off its 2020 session on Jan. 14. Several key education issues will hit the fan a day earlier. The Florida Education Association expects thousands of teachers to rally in Tallahassee for improved public school funding, while the Senate Education Committee is set to consider bills on several hot-button issues include teacher pay, voucher eligibility and charter school authorization. Will Monday foreshadow the tenor of Florida's education debate for the next few months? Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Hillsborough County school district, the seventh largest in the nation, is looking to hire a new chief executive before the current one retires in the spring. The School Board hasn't hired someone from outside the system to lead the district since the 1960s. But this time, the board appears intent on doing just that, to shake things up. Fifty-one hopefuls applied, from both near and far, and now comes the task of whittling down the list to the ones who will get an interview. How are things shaping up? Tampa Bay Times reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the lay of the land as the search enters its next phase. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Florida government leaders look to enhance students' civics knowledge, they might want to talk to Hillsborough County senior Haley Manigold. She and some of her schoolmates at Armwood High identified a concern with the state's graduation requirements and how they affect teens still learning English. Rather than just complain, the group decided to urge the Legislature to action. This past week, Manigold was among those testifying before the state Senate Education Committee about the proposed legislation, which is being carried by former Senate president Tom Lee. In this podcast, Manigold explains her efforts, her views on the importance of civic education, and her suggestions for getting teens to better understand the system. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida's 2020 legislative session begins Jan. 14, and in the months leading up to the annual event, it's been Gov. Ron DeSantis — not state lawmakers — who has led the charge in proposing new directions in state education policy. Improving teacher pay has become the driving topic of the discussion so far. But what else can we expect? Something major, like another expansion of voucher programs? Or is this the year that the Legislature finally takes its oft discussed breather from education issues, to let the schools get accustomed to all the latest requirements of the past few sessions? Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee bureau reporter Emily Mahoney joins Times education reporter Jeff Solochek to discuss the current lay of the land as lawmakers head into their final pre-session committee week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of Florida student government president Michael Murphy faces an impeachment inquiry in the aftermath of Donald Trump Jr.'s campus speech. A group of student senators alleges that Murphy, whose family has apparent connections to the president, improperly used student fees to pay Trump for his appearance. They contend it was a coordinated campaign visit, and have used the word 'collusion' to describe the way the event came to be. State Republicans, meanwhile, have come to Murphy's defense as the conversation picks up steam. What's all the fuss about? Student senator Ben Lima, who is leading the charge against Murphy, explains his position to reporter Megan Reeves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In efforts to make schools better, Florida officials often look to the person in charge of the campus. The principal sets the tone, leads by example, attracts (or in negative examples, repels) the faculty and staff charged with the daily education of children. How do school principals view their responsibilities? As Florida school districts are recognizing their top educators, we turned to Pasco County's newly named Principal of the Year, JoAnne Glenn, to hear her thoughts about the highly touted role. Glenn, who runs a virtual school, discusses the importance of the job, as well as her views on the changing nature of public education in a time of choice and customization. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida's government leaders have decided to prioritize increasing teacher pay in their next state budget. They also want to expand vouchers, bolster school security, improve early education funding and raise per-student spending. They don't want to raise taxes, either. (Did we mention the governor and the majorities in both chambers are Republican?) Is the goal possible? State Rep. Chris Latvala, chairman of the House PreK-12 Appropriations committee, talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the moves under consideration to afford these many priorities. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Florida lawmakers have gathered in the state capitol to debate education issues such as teacher pay, prekindergarten funding and student-athlete health protections, leaders of the state's largest teacher union hit the road. They launched a five-week, 50-stop bus tour aimed at drawing attention to their positions on the issues, which often differ from those of the governor and legislative leaders. What's do they hope to accomplish? Florida Education Association vice president Andrew Spar discusses the group's objectives, as well as the barriers they face, with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alexandra Gilmore knew she needed to attend the Florida Department of Education's public forum about student expectations when it came to Tampa on Oct. 17. The mother of two, who sometimes substitutes in local schools, has seen the love of learning sucked out of her children, and others like them, because of the way the standards are implemented. Not all families start at the same place, Gilmore observed, and yet the state expects them all to begin at a high level — whether that's attainable or not. "The current standards are a set up for kids to fail," she said. What needs to be done? Hear Gilmore discuss her views on Florida's academic standards in an interview with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two years after Parkland, Florida government, political and education leaders continue to debate the best ways to keep schools safe from violence. The state's Public Safety Commission, convened in the aftermath of the deadly attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, is about to issue a new set of recommendations. How individual districts choose to address the issues remains distinctly local. In Hernando County, the far north exurbs of Tampa, officials have long sworn by having trained law enforcement officers in the schools. Until one day the school district administration came up with a different idea. What comes next? Hernando County education reporter Jack Evans discusses the ongoing discussion with Jeff Solochek in our latest Gradebook podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his goal to increase Florida’s base teacher salary to $47,500. That would move the state from 26th in the nation to 2nd. And it would meet a longtime teacher plea to shift attention from bonuses to wages. DeSantis’ call to put more than half a billion dollars into paychecks didn’t win universal accolades, though. It instead was greeted with questions, doubts and criticisms. Why all the concern? Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association president Rob Kriete talks to reporter Jeff Solochek about the proposal and the pushback. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Florida, the Hillsborough County school district has one of the largest number of schools on the state's lowest performing list when it comes to reading. Nearly one in four students in the system score below grade level on the annual reading and language arts exam. To combat the problem, the district hired a consultant to explore where the problems lie, and what strategies might bring the lowest readers up. A newly released preliminary report pointed to the types of materials provided, and how equitably they are distributed, as key to the situation. Reporter Marlene Sokol talks with district chief academic officer Deborah Cook about the importance of reading and what the system has in mind to make improvements. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state's youth need improved civics lessons so they can become better citizens. Tony Pirotta, a social studies teacher at Hillsborough County's Armwood High School, sees the answer already exists — give students a hands-on experience to involve themselves in the government. Each year, he works with a group of teens to discover an issue that matters to them, and which they think needs attention in law. They study the subject, write a proposal, find lawmakers to sponsor their measure and lobby in the halls of Tallahassee. All of this, Pirotta says, makes civics both understandable and meaningful. Pirotta talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the Ought to be a Law program, and this year's student initiative on testing of English-language learners. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida voters approved a universal prekindergarten program back in 2002, after lawmakers refused to implement a an early education system to help prepare young children for school. Since then, the program has grown in enrollment, but its funding has remained stagnant, and its success has been limited. This year, state officials have called for improvements. With early learning on the front burner — it was the first topic of conversation for the House Education Committee as it heads to the 2020 legislative session — we turned to Pinellas County Early Learning Coalition CEO Lindsay Carson to discuss what needs to be done to fix the state's prekindergarten and school readiness model. Carson also chairs the state's Association of Early Learning Coalitions. She spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Just months after ending their 2019 session, Florida lawmakers have headed back to Tallahassee to begin preparing for 2020. The first week of committee meetings has offered a glimpse into the education priorities the Legislature is poised to tackle. Among them are school security (no surprise there) and early education. What else is on tap? Reporters Emily Mahoney and Jeff Solochek read the tea leaves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By their very nature, school board meetings are public. They're held in an open room. Anyone can attend. They exist specifically to deal with the public's business. Yet in the nation's eighth largest school district, the board chairwoman has led the fight to keep residents' comments to the board largely outside the public eye. She argues that some people wish to address the body privately, but in public. Plus, the same district — Hillsborough County — is looking for public input into its superintendent search. Through surveys and town halls, residents are encouraged to tell the district's headhunter exactly what they want to see in the next CEO. Is the board listening, or just going through the motions? Reporters Marlene Sokol and Jeff Solochek discuss the role of public comments as the district makes some key decisions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The tiny Jefferson County school district, about 25 minutes outside Florida's state capital, turned out poor student performance for more than a decade. Its finances were in peril, too, as the racially divided community battled politically over the flailing school system of about 800 students. About three years ago, the state stepped in, declaring the district in financial emergency, and then pushing an academic turnaround plan that ultimately turned Jefferson County into a district operated by charter schools. The efforts, though small in size, offered an insight into the possibilities of where the state might go with other, larger school districts that don't meet the test-based accountability expectations set by the state. WLRN radio education reporter Jessica Bakeman spent close to three years looking into the tale of Jefferson County schools. She shares her findings with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

School districts across Florida have long lists of construction, maintenance and repair projects with price tags that far exceed the revenue they anticipate getting from the state. Dozens have gone to their voters asking for sales tax increases to bolster the amount available to spend. Several more are looking that direction. Why are the local officials feeling forced to seek local solutions? The state has given what little capital funds it has to charter schools, rather than district schools, in the name of funding equity. Exacerbating the situation, the state has cut its support of capital projects by 71 percent, as a share of the economy, over the past decade. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities senior researcher Mike Leachman has been looking into the data, and talked with reporter Jeff Solochek about the implications of spending less money on keeping the schools up to snuff. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Teachers have contracts with their school districts for a reason. The agreements detail what their employers can expect of them, and what they're required to do. But what about when a principal 'suggests' that something more needs to get done, and requests volunteers? There's no mandate to do the work, but the pressure certainly exists, along with the message, ignore at your own risk. At least, that's what Hillsborough County Classroom Teachers Association leaders are contending as they negotiate this year's employment deal with the nation's eighth largest public school system. Reporter Marlene Sokol discusses the union's concerns with union organizer Lindsey Blankenbaker, who worked as a high school social studies teacher before joining the HCCTA staff. "Go out and watch teachers leaving at the end of the day," Blankenbaker says. "I'll challenge you to find someone who's not walking out with a tote bag or a rolling cart full of papers to grade, or materials to work on." See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Over five years, the Pinellas County, Florida, school district has seen the number of student disciplinary actions drop by almost half. You might think that means kids are behaving better, and schools are running more smoothly. District leaders like to credit the decline to new programs aimed at dealing with problems before they get out of control. But some teachers say that's not necessarily what's happening. Hear Tampa Bay Times reporter Megan Reeves discuss with Jeff Solochek what she learned while looking into the numbers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

4,000 door locks. 97,000 wrist bands. Hundreds of hires. Millions in upgrades. Summertime offers a break from school to students and teachers. But it's the busy season for districts' maintenance, purchasing, security, transportation and other employees who use the time to prepare for when everyone returns, expecting a smooth start to the learning process. Betsy Kuhn, the Pasco County school district's assistant superintendent for operations, discusses all the work her staff has put into making sure the nearly 80,000-student system is ready for its first day of classes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London Eaves is excited to have her very own classroom for the first time. A Florida International University graduate, Eaves said she couldn't have imagined going into any profession other than teaching — despite all the concerns about increasing state mandates, low pay and other woes that many veteran educators have voiced in recent years. Why? Teachers supported and encouraged her as a child, and and she looks forward to making a difference in her own students' lives. Eaves attended new teacher training in her Pasco County district this week, and she spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek about her plans, expectations, and why she wants to teach. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With demands growing and respect from some declining, many teachers talk about leaving their profession. Not Dre Graham, Florida's 2020 Teacher of the Year. Dr. Graham, a music instructor at King High in Tampa, says whenever the logistics and the mandates drag him down, he remembers the "why" that attracted him to teaching in the first place: Making a positive difference in students' lives. For the next year, Graham will travel the state, serving as an ambassador for education, encouraging all involved to ensure that every student has the opportunities to learn and succeed. Some disruption might be needed. He discusses his thoughts and plans with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Hillsborough County school district has struggled to boost some of the lowest performing schools in the state of Florida. Despite several efforts, including cash infusions and outside expert assistance, progress has been slow going. Reporter Marlene Sokol, who covers the nation's eighth-largest school district, discusses the initiatives taken, their pros and cons, and the future of the improvement attempts with assistant superintendent Tricia McManus and Jennings Middle School math team leader April Cobb. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Growth in contributions to Florida's tax credit scholarship program slowed to the point where supply no longer met the growing demand for assistance to attend private schools. State lawmakers responded by putting millions of taxpayer funds into a school voucher program, to help bridge the gap. And they show no signs of stopping their efforts to expand initiatives aimed at providing alternatives to traditional public schools. Doug Tuthill, president of scholarship funding organization Step Up For Students, sees even less restrictive education savings accounts as the logical next step. Tuthill, whose group influences state policy on vouchers and related measures, discusses with reporter Jeff Solochek the trajectory of the state's "choice" model and his rationale as a liberal for participating in the Republican-led push, which has lately has gained more bipartisan support. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Megan Harding began the 2018-19 academic year as a classroom teacher in her Pasco County, Florida, elementary school. Within four months, she had won a seat on the local School Board. After having touted herself as best for the job because she understood what goes on in schools, Harding next had to make the transition to policy maker and figure out what exactly that meant. She quickly became a force on the board, convincing colleagues to stream their meetings online and casting several deciding votes on critical issues. But Harding acknowledged she still has much to learn as she fulfills her role as an elected representative. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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In Florida, a high school student's official grade-point average cannot exceed 4.0. Not so in Hillsborough County, the state's third-largest district and the eighth biggest in the nation. Its students can earn an extra 0.04 points for each district-approved honors course in which they receive a C or higher, and an added 0.08 points for every AP, IB, AICE and dual enrollment class. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to rise above, but none more than Newsome High 2019 valedictorian Katherine Metheny, who finished with a 10.58 GPA. District officials said they are unaware of anyone who has ever graduated with a higher GPA. Why did she do it? Was she able to have a life outside of classes too? Metheny talks about her accomplishments, her goals and life as a high achiever with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Several Florida school district leaders lined up to reject the idea of letting classroom teachers carry guns in schools as part of a guardian program even before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law. Bay County superintendent Bill Husfelt was not among them. Husfelt welcomed the initial guardian plan a year ago, and said the expansion of the model would help keep his county's students, employees and schools safe. Already, he said, several teachers are signing up to get trained. Why is his perspective so different from many others? Husfelt discussed his views with reporter Marlene Sokol. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 18 months of review and debate, the Hillsborough County school district — the eighth largest system in the nation — has decided to do away with the Indians, Chiefs and Warriors as mascots at elementary and middle schools, while easing away from the names and connected traditions at its high schools. Some places have welcomed the news, while others have balked at any change. Shannon Durant, who chaired the committee leading the effort, discusses the reasons behind the district's approach with reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With leaders’ attention on issues like immigration and health care, 2019 looked like it might not provide too many education-related fireworks for a change.But just as in years past, the subject matter elicited some of the most heated and passionate debates of the session, with some of the specific ideas taking lawmakers down to the wire before they could adjourn for the year.Many of the bills that grabbed the most attention came straight from the conservative playbook, whether they passed or not. Vouchers made it through. A Bible course requirement did not. Teachers carrying guns survived. School Board term limits died.Tallahassee bureau education reporter Emily Mahoney joins Jeff Solochek for a review of the recently ended session, with some hints too of what might come next with the 2020 session set to begin in less than eight months (with committee weeks sooner than that). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jackson Francis failed his junior year classes at his high school in Pasco County, Florida. His dad was diagnosed with cancer, and the news "changed my whole who I am." He got moody and emotional, didn't pay attention in class or complete any work. "I literally stopped caring," he recalls. Then Francis got his senior year to-do list from his counselor, detailing what he needed to finish to get his diploma. He thought about dropping out in the face of the mountain of work. Instead, he buckled down. Francis explains to reporter Jeff Solochek what he had to do to get back on track for his May 2019 graduation, and why he did it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many conservatives in Florida contend that parents should have a greater say in the education and care of their children. Schools have a role to play, they say, but should not be allowed to substitute their judgment for that of parents — even when children attempt to assert their own rights to privacy. Florida lawmakers have proposed a new section to state statute outlining the rights they believe parents should have enshrined in law, assuring that school districts and other governments cannot keep them from fully participating in the raising of their children. Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, who helped write the legislation and stands among the most ardent supporters, speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the initiative and why she thinks parents need a stronger voice written into law. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thousands of students in Hillsborough County schools — the nation's eighth largest district — struggle to read at grade level, despite years of effort and millions of dollars directed at helping them. Why isn't the system seeing improvement? After talking with dozens of students, teachers and other experts, reporter Marlene Sokol has some insights into what drives the problem. One key takeaway: Reading has become a requirement rather than a passion, making it harder to hold distracted children's interest. She discusses her new special report on reading in this latest Gradebook podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida lawmakers face term limits. Now they’re trying to impose limits on school board members, as well.An effort by the Constitution Revision Commission to place the idea on the 2018 ballot failed. So the Legislature is working to get the idea on the 2020 ballot, instead.If approved, the measure would require board members to leave office after completing two consecutive four-year terms. After a break, they could again seek election.Nick Tomboulides, a Florida resident who is executive director of U.S. Term Limits, has been among the most vocal advocates for the proposal. He explains his support, along with his rebuttal of the arguments opposing the idea, to reporter Jeff Solochek. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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Florida's education policy makers have their eyes focused on pushing their school choice agenda farther than it has gone before. But not everyone is on board — including some of the conservatives who hail from the same side of the political divide. Former Martin County School Board member Tina McSoley has launched a fast-growing Facebook group called Reconstruct-ED, with a goal of trying to sway the conversation, and the policy trajectory, in a different direction. Also a former classroom teacher, who now runs a private education group, McSoley talks with reporter Jeff Solochek about her thoughts on the status quo, and the need to fight back. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the Florida Legislature, education issues have been some of the most high profile, impactful and controversial measures to move through the halls, year after year. Yet the voices of opposition to the leadership plans frequently get sidelined, regardless of party.That leaves it to a new wave of lawmakers to step up to the task, fighting the continuing effort to expand vouchers and scholarships, grow the charter school system and offer more school choice in a manner they see as potentially harmful to the district public schools. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, is among the newest voices in the debate. She didn’t plan to make education a top priority — she didn’t even ask to be on any of the committees. But upon her arrival on the PreK-12 Quality subcommittee, the 28-year-old lawmaker quickly studied up and became one of the more vocal and articulate members who doesn’t agree with what she considers the move to privatize public education. In her efforts, she seeks compromise when possible, without caving on key positions. She spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek about the variety of issues, from a proposed requirement for Bible courses in high schools to school safety, that she’s already had to weigh in on. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Several Florida school leaders have said that while they have many excellent teachers, they're not always providing the best teaching possible. Concerns have arisen that they're lessons are below grade level, or perhaps they're not getting students engaged enough with the material. Impact Florida is a new group that arose to help schools find successful instructional models and get them into classrooms. It had its first statewide conference this month, involving officials from school districts representing nearly half of the state's students. Executive director Mandy Clark and chief operating officer Trey Csar talk about their objectives, how Florida's pending standards review will play a role, the connections between schools and outside funders, and more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.