Senate panel backs wraparound services *
Struggling public schools in Florida would be encouraged to extend their days by at least one hour and offer students social services, such as health care, under a new Senate proposal. The Senate budget committee that oversees pre-kindergarten to 12th grade education advanced legislation Tuesday that would overhaul state laws governing districts’ mandatory efforts to turn around failing schools. State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, introduced the new language as an amendment to SB 1552. The existing bill contains his plan for expanding “best and brightest,” a teacher and principal merit pay program. The amendment provides more details about what the Senate will seek in an ultimate compromise with the House on HB 5105, the so-called “schools of hope” bill. Top senators have said they would support policies promoting charter schools in impoverished areas only if they also provide additional resources for traditional public schools that are failing. They have advocated for “community schools” models where schools offer “wraparound” services. Under the legislation, a new option for districts designing state-mandated turnaround plans would be to “enter into a formal agreement with a nonprofit … to implement an integrated student support service model that provides students and families with access to wrap-around services, including, but not limited to, health services, after-school programs, drug-prevention programs, college and career readiness, and food and clothing banks.” The bill notes schools might be eligible for additional state funding for such services. Other turnaround options under the amendment would be “implement[ing] an extended school day with at least 1 hour of additional learning time” or giving principals more power, including over staffing. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1552. It heads to two other committees. However, if it doesn’t pass, senators could still include language from the bill either in the budget or later in an omnibus education compromise. The Senate already agreed to include HB 5105 in budget conference committee discussions. Read the 17-page amendment here.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article145338669.html
Duval superintendent blasts charter giveaway plan now under Senate consideration
Special magistrate sides with Pasco district over teacher pay, contract terms (USEP mentioned)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/special-magistrate-sides-with-pasco-county-school-district-over-teacher/2320748
Detroit school board votes to offer Duval superintendent top job (Terrie Brady quoted)
http://jacksonville.com/news/education/2017-04-18/detroit-school-board-votes-offer-vitti-top-job
Miami lawmaker seeks new path for recess after it stalls through House inaction
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article145428829.html
Parents may get new way to challenge school textbooks
Fix schools, not teachers
http://www.shankerinstitute.org/blog/fix-schools-not-teachers
Another day, another charter scandal
Senators want money for online university with low grad rate
Faculty urge sanctuary campuses for undocumented students (NEA mentioned)
http://neatoday.org/2017/04/17/faculty-urge-sanctuary-campuses-undocumented-students/
Senate president can't say if Legislature will end May 5 as scheduled
Faced with cuts in tourism marketing, Scott ups ante and seeks $100 million
After offensive comments, Artiles fends off calls for resignation …
http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/04/miami-state-senator-fends-off-calls-for-resignation-condemnation-111347 (FEA mentioned)
… Meanwhile, back in 2014
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article145385404.html
Artiles should resign; does the Senate have the steel to make that happen?
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/236363-course-frank-artiles-resign-senate-steel-make-happen
Tampa airport expansion trapped in Tallahassee crossfire
Bill calls for more audits of state pension system
No home for good ideas in contradictory state capital
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/fl-column-randy-schultz-big-government-20170418-story.html
Skilled workers wanted, but costly in South Florida
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-skills-gap-broward-20170414-story.html
Low wages, high rent. Orlando has a problem.
House rejects Democrats' amendments, tees up work comp bill for passage
http://www.sayfiereview.com/page/house-tees-up-no-fault-insurance-repeal
Failure of the private state prisons
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article145387214.html
Remember when Trump promised to save Social Security?
https://www.thenation.com/article/remember-when-donald-trump-promised-to-save-social-security/
Europe could have the secret to saving America’s unions
Tax reform is simple: Tax the rich
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/04/tax-reform-is-simple-tax-the-rich.html
Warren on Trump's taxes: “People are going to keep demanding it”
Why Trump’s tax returns will keep causing Republicans headaches
Health insurers make case for subsidies, get little assurance from administration
What happens if places have no Obamacare insurers?
GOP rehashes its Obamacare repeal fail: the good, the bad, the ugly
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obamacare-repeal-fail-recess-republicans
Deportation of “dreamer” to Mexico appears to be first under Trump
Sanctuary cities debate has jurisdictions weighing whether to defend the policy
Border wall could cost three times estimates, Senate Democrats’ report says
How Trump’s “hire American” order may affect tech worker visas
The many ways in which Trump’s “buy American” mantra is hypocritical
Iranian-American groups seeking new ban on Trump travel order
Little tickets become big deal for some in Florida
Why slashing the NIH budget is indefensible
Trump wants to cut off poor people’s legal lifeline
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-budget-legal-services-corporation-199d8c116ffd
A month after firing prosecutors, Justice does not have any U.S. attorneys in place
Congress is quietly trying to pass a “GI bill 3.0” by Memorial Day
http://taskandpurpose.com/exclusive-gi-bill-reform-memorial-day/
Census watchers warn of a crisis if funding for 2020 count is not increased
Policy advisers urge Trump to keep U.S. in Paris accord
It’s not just Trump: With Brexit and France votes, Russia cultivates global right
On Russia, Trump and his top national security aides seem to be at odds
Two Russian bombers fly near Alaska, and U.S. scrambles jets
Aircraft carrier wasn’t sailing to deter North Korea, as U.S. suggested
Hand of U.S. leaves North Korea’s missile program shaken
Trump mulls U.S. military options for North Korea, all grim
Frankel’s advice to Trump on North Korea: Don’t be a “cowboy”
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-reg-lois-frankel-south-korea-20170418-story.html
White House defends Trump’s congratulatory call to Turkey’s Erdogan
https://www.thenation.com/article/trump-to-erdogan-congrats-on-your-dictatorship/
Trump administration grudgingly confirms Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal
Trump plays by his own rules (or no rules)
Bannon isn’t through with Trump yet
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/04/steve-bannon-isnt-through-with-trump-yet
Trump's Mar-a-Lago visits generate buzz, cost millions
GOP senator: Trump should spend less time at Mar-a-Lago
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/329335-gop-sen-trump-should-spend-less-time-at-mar-a-lago
Trump raised $107 million for inauguration, doubling record
Adelson gave $5 million for Trump’s inauguration
Ivanka Trump reportedly won China trademarks the day she dined with Xi Jinping
Ivanka Trump’s global reach, undeterred by a White House job
Trump’s billionaire adviser stands to gain from policies he helped shape
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/trump-schwarzman-blackstone-influence-237341
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