WorsttoFirst.org News Blog

State Holds Pearson Accountable

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:14:23 GMT

After fining Florida's standardized testing contractor, NCS Pearson, three million dollars for costs related to delays in FCAT score reporting, the Florida Department of Education is asking for more. In a written statement released by Education Commissioner, Eric Smith, Smith says, "Pearson's usage of unproven technology systems this year has caused great turmoil for our parents, teachers, administrators and other education stakeholders and I remain committed to holding the company fully accountable for these disruptions." Read more.

FCAT Scores Spur Lawsuit

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:29:54 GMT

After significant anomalies in FCAT test scores were reported in several school districts around the state, a lawsuit has been filed against Florida saying that the state is failing to provide a high quality public education system promised in it's own constitution. Additionally, the lawsuit points to the state's persistent focus on standardized testing, a focus most educators would agree is not producing sufficient results. Read more.

Shouldn't Teaching Experience Count for Something?

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:20:11 GMT

What incentive does an out-of-state seasoned educator have when applying for a teaching job in Florida? None. If a teacher moves to Florida, having never taught in the state, they are treated as first year teachers and given no tenure at all. Additionally, with constant budget challenges faced by Florida's public school system annually, it is this same group of folks at risk of losing jobs come year end.

In a recent Sun Sentinel article, Roseanne Harrison, a teacher with six years experience in the Chicago Public School System prior to moving to Florida and recently laid of after one year in a Broward County school, states, "Teachers are the foot soldiers. We're the first ones they put in, and [the ones] they get rid of first. It's a money game. They lay off teachers and get this projected budget, which is always significantly lower than what they get. Then, they hire all the teachers back."

Despite many of these teachers getting hired back once school systems know actual budgets, how can Floridians expect teachers to continue teaching when their out-of-state teaching experience can't even be used to help keep their jobs from being eliminated. Read more.

FCAT Scores Promised Monday

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:54:56 GMT

After a prolonged period of time, NCS Pearson, the company hired to administer Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), says FCAT scores will be ready Monday. The knowledge that scores are on the way should allow school adminstrators, teachers, students and parents the opportunity to breath a delayed sigh of relief-- that is if Florida's students performed well. If not, scores will be used to assess remedial needs and determine whether students are grade-promoted. Specific school performance will be indirectly evaluated as well.

Regardless of what the scores show, one thing is certain: the delay of information has been an extremely costly one for a public school system already operating under major budgeting constraints. Read More.

Whose to Blame for FCAT Delays

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:14:35 GMT

Approximately two weeks ago, Education Commissioner, Eric Smith, released a statement in which he expressed both outrage and frustration with the state's new testing contractor, NCS Pearson. In his statement, he apologizes to all those kept waiting on FCAT test results; parents, educators and administrators.

Then, last week, State Board of Education Chairman, T. Willard Fair, addressed the delay again in a release made public by The Department of Education. While he acknowledges Pearson's apology for the delay, he also seems to diffuse blame away from the state, pointing to the initial contract procurement process. He states, based on procedure followed, "It was the Board’s conclusion that the most appropriate vendor was selected and that the integrity of the procurement process was firmly upheld." What Fair fails to state however, is the actual date Pearson plans to deliver the goods they were hired for, the test scores.

And one week later those waiting are waiting still. If this process takes any longer, I wonder who'll be the next to apologize?

Are Kids Faced with "No Win" Situations?

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:11:51 GMT

In a recent Jacksonville Times guest column article, Chris Guerrieri, a teacher at a Duval County high school, shares his opinion about why he believes some of his students feel frustrated and let down by Florida's current approach to education. According to Mr. Guerrieri, our education system promotes a "one size fits all" philosophy, where instead of playing into students strengths, an approach he believes would almost certainly ensure student success, the system forces kids into a single all inclusive curriculum-based school experience.

Does this particular methodology put students and schools in a "no win" situation, like Mr. Guerrieri writes, where pressure to perform is a constant and where a school's adequate yearly progress is the goal?

Bud Visits Palm Beach County

Wed, 19 May 2010 17:44:27 GMT

I am always refreshed when I have opportunity to meet with people I consider heroes, folks whose lives are clearly so worthy of respect. In this particular instance, I speak of Dave Lawrence, former editor of the Miami Herald and well-know children's advocate in Florida. Recently, while traveling through Palm Beach on my statewide walk, I had the opportunity to keynote a function for the Children's Project of Palm Beach County, a study funded by the W.K Kellogg Foundation and sponsored by Dave Lawrence and the Early Initiative Childhood Foundation.

The Children's Project will measure the extent to which grassroots organizational efforts and media messages can be used to educate and inform the public about a statewide movement for children. I look forward to what the study will reveal given Florida's great need to prioritize its children.

Did Education Fare Well, Really?

Fri, 14 May 2010 15:19:57 GMT

Anyone following this year's legislative session would agree that education issues played a dominant role in the debates and eventual decisions made by Florida lawmakers; ones focused on balancing a woebegone state budget. On the surface, public education seems to have fared well. However, if daring to journey beyond the external toward more in-depth examination of funding changes made to education, one particular thought might come to mind, really?
Read More.

Will Florida Win It's Race To The Top

Wed, 12 May 2010 15:50:32 GMT

Authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Race to the Top program is a competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states intent on real education reform. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the four specific reform areas looked at include: enhanced standards and assessments, improved collection and use of data, increased teacher effectiveness and achievement of equity in teacher distribution and a turn around of struggling schools.

On March 29, 2010, during Race to the Top's first round of funding, only two states were selected. According to Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, many strong proposals from states all across America were received, but two applications stood out above all others: Delaware and Tennessee. He said, "Both states had statewide buy-in for comprehensive plans to reform their schools. They had written new laws to support their policies. And they had demonstrated the courage, capacity, and commitment to turn their ideas into practices that can improve outcomes for students."

With Race to the Top's application deadline for second round funding selection looming near, states are scurrying to get their amended proposals finished . For Florida, selection to receive federal funding remains questionable. Read more.

Lawmakers Leave Child Abuse Program Gasping for Air

Thu, 06 May 2010 20:53:52 GMT

In an effort to balance an already hemorraging state budget, Florida lawmakers, in the last days of legislative session, have had to make some tough funding choices. One choice, the decision to cut $10,000,000 from the Healthy Families Initiative, will affect thousands of families and leave what most consider a highly successful child abuse prevention program seriously wounded.

Vouchers Affect on Public Education- Good or Bad?

Mon, 03 May 2010 17:15:45 GMT

Recently, the Florida Legislature expanded the Corporate Tax Credit scholarship program originally established in 2001. This particular program, heavily debated for and against since its inception, allows corporations to make financial contributions to non-profit Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFO’s) which in turn provide scholarships to send low-income children to private school. The incentive for corporations to make these financial contributions is simple--once money is earmarked as vouchers, corporations receive dollar-for-dollar tax credit on both their income and insurance premium taxes.

Some ask whether this voucher system is good tax policy and/or good education policy. What do you think? Read for or against articles and decide for yourself.

Only 37% of Florida's 10th Graders Achieved Level 3 FCAT Scores for 2009

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:05:53 GMT

At a recent meeting in Manatee County, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, I had the opportunity to participate in a discussion with several groups and individuals gathered to talk about one thing, education.

Those assembled had the chance to express their education concerns and then share ideas for reform if desired. One teacher, for instance, suggested that on-line teacher certifications be prohibited, especially where no background in teaching or child development exists. Fund Education Now, another group present, advocated education change through collaboration. Still, others proposed that the state provide matching funds for all localities statewide that have passed a special tax specifically to support education and children’s issues locally.

In the Spotlight: Kinship Services Network

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:40:55 GMT

The best placement for a child when his/her home is no longer a safe place is with a relative. It is estimated that 15,000 children are raised by kinship caregivers (non-parent families) in Pinellas County, most of whom are grandparents.

In The Spotlight: Quality Counts

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:59:07 GMT

A coalition of 60 organizations and 100 individuals including health care professionals, policy makers, business leaders, school personnel, parents, media, government entities, social service organizations and community residents have united to reduce childhood obesity in Duval County.

In The Spotlight: Teen Xpress

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:52:13 GMT

With a mission to positively impact the quality of life for underserved youth by providing access to medical and behavioral healthcare, "Teen Xpress has collaborated to provide medical home services to over 10,000 uninsured and underinsured adolescents since 1997.

Florida's Longest Waiting Teens

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:56:09 GMT

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:35:06 GMT

In order to recognize the collaborative efforts taking place in communities throughout Florida, United Way of Florida and The Lawton Chiles Foundation hosted the Children's Week Community Innovation Awards to kick off Children's Week 2010. Keynoted by Carmen Nazario, Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, awards were presented to four Florida communities.

The recipients of these community collaboration awards include: Pinellas County's Kinship Service Network, Palm Beach County's Quality Counts, Duval County's Healthy Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition and Orange County's Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Teen Xpress Program.

Over the next few days, Children's Week community innovation award winners will be in the spotlight along with more information about lead and collaborative partners in these child-centric endeavors.