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Gaetz says pension changes may be in trouble
An overhaul of the Florida Retirement System is in for a close vote in the 2014 legislative session, Senate President Don Gaetz said Thursday.

Fla. releases performance scores for teachers
The Florida Department of Education on Monday reluctantly released performance scores for roughly two-thirds of the state's teachers after losing a lawsuit over whether the information was public.

Florida's teacher evaluations: How they got this way
A former Florida Schools superintendent thinks back to a time when teachers were judged solely on how they delivered a lesson while in the presence of a principal.

Florida lawmakers review school standards
If the Legislature adjourns after its upcoming session without passing a single education-related bill, big changes still will be coming to Florida classrooms this fall.

Florida senator files anti-Common Core bill
A week after the Florida Board of Education affirmed the state's commitment to the Common Core State Standards, a state senator has submitted legislation aiming to stop the standards from taking effect.

Big Idea Tips and Do It Tips for School Improvement

BIT:    School and classroom volunteer program to help teachers and administrators, students and other parents.

DIT:    Enable families to share information about culture, background, children's talents and needs with schools.
 
DIT:    Assure that all information for and from families is clear, usable, and linked to children's success in school.

DIT:    Hols conferences with every parent at least once a year, with follow-ups as needed.

DIT:    Have language translators assist families as needed.

DIT:    Send weekly or monthly folders of student work home to be reviewed with parental comments returned to teacher.

DIT:    Require parent and student pick-up of report card, with conferences on improving grades.
 
DIT:    Have a regular schedule of useful notices, memos, phone calls, newsletters, and other communications.
 
DIT:    Provide clear information on choosing schools, or courses, programs, and activities within schools.
 
DIT:    Provide clear information on all school policies, programs reforms and transitions. 

DIT:    Review the readability, clarity, form, and frequency of all memos, notices, and other print and non-print communications.

DIT:    Consider parents who do not speak English well, do not read well, or need large type.

DIT:    Review the quality of major communications such as the schedule, content, and structure of conferences; newsletters; report cards and others.

DIT:    Establish clear two-way channels for communications from home to school and school to home.

DIT:    Involve families with their children in all important curricular related decisions. Provide information for families on skills required for students in all subjects at each grade.  Provide information on homework policies and how to monitor, and discuss schoolwork at home.

DIT:    Provide information on how to assist students to improve skills on various class and school assignments.

DIT:    Provide a schedule of homework that requires students to discuss and interact with families on what they are learning in class (e.g., TIPS). Coordinate family linked homework activities, if students have several teachers.  Design and organize a regular schedule of interactive homework (e.g., weekly or bimonthly) that gives students responsibility for discussing important things they are learning, and helps families stay aware of the content of their children's class work.

DIT:    Provide calendars with activities for parents and students at home. 

DIT:    Provide for goal setting for students with families each year, and for future plans for college or work.