Florida's education commissioner: Another view on who's next

Who should Florida's next education commissioner be? Without changes to the state's underlying philosophy on public schooling, it's probably a non-issue, suggests education historian Diane Ravitch, one of the nation's leading critics of the national "reform" movement of which Florida is considered a leading player. "If Florida insists on hanging onto the status quo of high-stakes testing, teacher-bashing and privatization, then it really doesn't matter who gets hired," Ravitch said. "The problem that Florida has is that the state needs real reform, not more of the same, and the kind of commissioner who would bring real reform would not likely be chosen by your state board of education," she said. "Before picking names, Florida should be thinking about what needs to change." She criticized the state's heavy focus on testing, and said the new commissioner needs to understand the issue and be willing to take a different approach to accountability. She argued that "incompetent and money-hungry charter operators" have overrun Florida and the new commissioner needs to control them. And she contended that leaders in Tallahassee have overloaded demoralized teachers with regulations, adding that the new commissioner should encourage lawmakers to take a more positive attitude toward the state's classroom professionals. "If Florida has the right goals," Ravitch said, "it will find the right commissioner."

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/content/floridas-education-commissioner-another-view-whos-next

Names get bandied about as Florida education commissioner search ensues

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/content/names-get-bandied-about-florida-education-commissioner-search-ensues

http://www2.tbo.com/news/opinion/2012/aug/07/naopino1-go-local-for-education-chief-ar-455615/

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/08/04/2216104/no-thanks-florida-job-doesnt-interest.html

FCAT “miscalculations” expose debacle of testing

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/08/04/4142400/fcat-miscalculations-expose-debacle.html

New national learning standards raise the bar for students, teachers

http://news.wfsu.org/post/new-national-learning-standards-raise-bar-students-teachers

Contract would give 1.5 percent raise to Hillsborough teachers (HCTA mentioned)
http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/aug/06/1/contract-would-give-15-raise-to-hillsborough-teach-ar-455573/

Teachers have out-of-pocket costs

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20120807/TLHLOCAL09/308070006?source=nletter-top5&nclick_check=1

Classes resume this week for seven Florida school districts

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/content/classes-resume-week-seven-florida-school-districts

Group accuses some Florida school districts of discrimination

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120807/APN/1208070584

Sarasota schools get $800,000 insurance rebate

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120806/ARTICLE/120809734/2416/NEWS?Title=Sarasota-schools-get-800-000-insurance-rebate

Hype begins for pro-parent trigger movie
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-08-04/schools-parent-takeover/56762688/1

New Jersey overhauls job guarantees for teachers

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/nyregion/christie-signs-bill-overhauling-teacher-tenure.html

A conversation with the Florida Board of Governors chairman

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/higher-ed-in-the-spotlight-a-conversation-with-the-florida-board-of/1244559

Brogan to FAMU: Cut number of low-performing students

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-06/features/os-famu-frank-brogan-profile-admits-20120806_1_famu-students-famu-administrators-james-ammons

FAMU down to its last number on accountability

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/editorial-famu-down-to-its-last-number-on-accounta/nQCDL/

FSCJ: Nearly 1,300 students could be required to repay Pell Grants

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-08-06/story/fscj-nearly-1300-students-could-be-required-repay-pell-grants#ixzz22rXrCTXH

Florida: A bellwether for Medicaid expansion

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/florida-a-symbolic-test-case-for-medicaid-expansion/260748/

Scott’s former hospital chain under inquiry again

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/business/hospital-chain-internal-reports-found-dubious-cardiac-work.html

Bondi battling with Legislature over mortgage settlement

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2012/aug/06/2/bondi-battling-with-legislature-over-mortgage-sett-ar-455456/

Florida fourth in nation for expensive closing costs

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/business/real-estate/florida-fourth-in-nation-for-expensive-closing-cos/nQCHj/

Sansom's legal tab could be taxpayers'

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/lawmakers-could-be-asked-to-pay-ray-sansoms-legal-bills/1244517

Business fears the fiscal cliff

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/opinion/business-fears-the-fiscal-cliff.html