http://makeourschoolsapriority.org All across the state, Florida's educators are working hard to provide our students with a world-class education. en-us Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/rss update@makeourschoolsapriority.org (MOSAP) update@makeourschoolsapriority.org (MOSAP) http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#259 If you liked Washington's Wall Street bailout and stimulus programs, you'll love the EduJobs legislation percolating in Congress. The $23 billion Keep Our Educators Working Act would "prevent layoffs of teachers and other education personnel and, perhaps, give us a leg up on the funding cliff coming next budget year," said Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the Florida Education Association. http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/23-billion-teachers-unions-industry-too-big-fail Fri, 28 May 2010 20:44:09 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#258 The Florida Education Association announced it is backing Democratic candidate David Pleat's bid to knock off Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna. http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/unions-backing-david-pleats-challege-marti-coley Fri, 28 May 2010 20:44:09 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#257 Crist who is winding up his term as Florida Governor is seeking the U.S. Senate Seat. He won a great deal of support from the Florida teachers by vetoing Senate Bill Six which would have eliminated tenure for teachers hired after July 1 and tied teacher pay to student scores and standarized tests. Crist left the Republican Party. It was unlikely he would have received the Republican nomination as Macro Rubio is considered a stronger candidate among Republicans. http://www.examiner.com/x-18776-Miami-Labor-Relations-Examiner~y2010m5d22-Florida-Education-Association-endorses-Kendrick-Meek-and-Charlie-Crist-for-US-Senate Fri, 28 May 2010 20:42:01 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#256 Gov. Charlie Crist's strategy to appeal to groups that typically support Democrats in the U.S. Senate race may be working. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704546304575260812253861490.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond Fri, 28 May 2010 20:42:01 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#255 Parents could get option to apply for a program in 2011 to prevent learning loss over summer months It could be the end of the long summer vacation for some Palm Beach County students. Officials say it may be time to try a year-round schedule for one elementary school next year. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-year-round-school-choice-20100430,0,7135456.story Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#254 Significant cuts in the teacher workforce got the green light Tuesday from the Monroe County School Board. http://www.keysnet.com/2010/05/01/215190/school-board-oks-slashing-teacher.html Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#253 Running school systems using the "my way or the highway" approach does not work. Thankfully, school districts with some of the most vexing problems are starting to see that collaboration is trumping conflict. In places like New York City; Philadelphia; St. Paul, Minn.; and Douglas County, Colo., school leadership is partnering with its local teachers union to implement genuine school reforms. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/commentary/fl-school-system-forum-20100501,0,7390706.story Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#252 South Florida school districts say the state education budget praised by lawmakers will still result in cuts to schools. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/02/1608922/schools-say-lawmakers-boasts-over.html Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#251 It's not like there is a silver bullet solution to the cuts facing teachers and school staffs. If only there were. What it's going to take, however, is a change in attitude, from the Legislature to the school district and all the way on down to the taxpayer. There has to be an attitude that education — and good teachers — are a priority. Every year. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/editorials/fl-schools-editorial-gs-20100503,0,5273962.story Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/news/news/#250 For nearly a quarter of the Florida legislative session, education took center stage. Angry teachers protested a Republican plan to radically revamp their contracts, evaluations and pay scales so loudly that they persuaded Gov. Charlie Crist to reject the measure. But Senate Bill 6 was far from the sole piece of education legislation. http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/education-legislation-runs-deeper-than-sb-6/1092126 Fri, 28 May 2010 20:40:02 GMT