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Jeffrey Solochek

Jeffrey Solochek

Blogger at The Gradebook

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Covering topics
  • Education
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  • English
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Jeffrey Solochek
tampabay.com

Florida relaxes rules on teens working during school days - Tampa Bay Times

The big story: One of the more heated debates during this year’s Florida legislative session centered on the tension between teens’ studies and their work hours.Some state lawmakers proposed easing some of the restrictions on when 16- and 17-year-olds can be on the job. Early on, the bill would have eliminated rules saying teens cannot work more than 8 hours when school is scheduled for the next day, and that they may not work more than 30 hours in a week.Arguing that families can make decision…
tampabay.com

Florida voters boost school budgets with extra taxes. That means ch...

The big story: Local option tax referendums have become almost commonplace for Florida school districts seeking added revenue to cover expenses beyond what state budgets afford.Districts may use property tax initiatives to pay for general expenses, such as teacher salaries and security enhancements. They have sales taxes available to cover capital projects, such as school construction.With elections coming up in November, several including Pinellas County are expected to seek renewal of their e…
tampabay.com

Pasco County voters still pick their school superintendent. Who's r...

Pasco County voters this year will choose their first new school superintendent in more than a decade.After 12 years at the helm of Pasco’s largest employer, Kurt Browning isn’t seeking reelection . Three candidates so far have announced campaigns to succeed him in one of the nation’s few remaining school districts that elect their chief executive.Browning has said he will not endorse anyone vying for the job.Each current hopeful made their interest known more than a year ago. Yet only recently…
tampabay.com

Florida students demand university take sides in Israel-Hamas war -...

The big story: A group of 18 students at the University of South Florida ratcheted up their opposition to Israel’s war on Hamas by launching a protest against the school’s investments in firms that support Israel.They demanded trustees divest from companies such as Northup Grumman, and began a hunger strike, saying they’re willing to die for their cause.“We will die if that’s what it takes to reaffirm the belief and the truth that there is blood on your hands, that there’s complicity on your ha…
tampabay.com

Florida school districts seek extra tax revenue to combat teacher s...

The big story: Hillsborough County schools continue to experience a teacher shortage.By one count, 10,000 students did not have a permanent teacher from the start of the school year.But is that enough to convince voters to support a property tax referendum that would help pay teachers better? Hillsborough’s neighbors have passed similar tax questions — some are seeking renewals this year — and have fared better in faculty recruitment and retention.So far, only a slim majority on the Hillsboroug…
tampabay.com

Bring 'safe spaces' back to Florida schools, says plaintiff in sett...

Myndee Washington didn’t hesitate after learning the State of Florida had settled a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law she called Don’t Say Gay.The Pasco County teacher, who was a plaintiff in the case, put on her new rainbow-frame glasses and headed to school. Once there, she returned the “safe space” sign she had removed from her classroom two years earlier.“I have Safe Space stickers for anyone that would like one,” Washington also posted on Facebook.The stickers typically h…
tampabay.com

Florida ban on school diversity programs impacts students - Tampa B...

The big story: Much of the debate over diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida’s universities, colleges and schools have centered on talking points.But for some students, the effect of eliminating the services and firing staff has been immediate and impactful.At the University of Florida, for instance, senior Jacob Fazio told WUFT that he lost a mentor who helped him feel welcome and accepted. Other groups have said they hope to step in and fill the void, but acknowledged it won’t b…

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tampabay.com

Rethink Florida schools, NAACP urges student-athletes - Tampa Bay T...

The big story: The University of Florida’s early March decision to shutter its diversity office and fire its staff continues to reverberate around the state and nation.Not long after the move, UF football legend Emmitt Smith blasted the school , saying he was “utterly disgusted.” He called on others to denounce the action, which was prompted by Republican officials’ onslaught against what they call “woke” ideology.Other universities also have dismantled their diversity, equity and inclusion pro…
tampabay.com

It's spring break for many Florida schools. Did you get to your des...

The big story: Ah, spring break. It’s a time to get some rest and relaxation, recuperating from the busy third quarter of the school year.But many travelers to and from Florida found nothing but stress on their way to their vacation spots, as scores of flights were delayed and canceled throughout the weekend.The overflow traffic in Tampa alone topped 10,000 people. Happy spring break. Read more here . Student cell phones: The Pinellas County school district is developing new rules for student c…
tampabay.com

Florida settles lawsuit over parental rights law, will clarify vagu...

Go ahead and say gay.That’s the message plaintiffs are taking away from a settlement announced Monday in their 2-year-old lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law.They have contended that the measure, which they derisively labeled Don’t Say Gay, aimed to erase conversation about the LGBTQ+ community from schools. Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March 2022 , it prohibited classroom instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergart…
tampabay.com

Florida lawmakers end session today. What's their latest education ...

The big story: It’s the last day of Florida’s 2024 legislative session, with final consideration of the budget on tap in both the House and Senate.For a change of pace, lawmakers settled on the PreK-12 spending plan earlier than most of the other areas. The sticking points included how much added money to put toward teacher pay, school security and mental health services. Here’s the supporting legislation up for a vote. A couple of education bills remain available for review in the House if mem…