Press Archives - Alliance for Public Schools https://all4schools.org/category/press/ root Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:29:01 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://all4schools.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-512x512-32x32.png Press Archives - Alliance for Public Schools https://all4schools.org/category/press/ 32 32 75056668 In Focus: Ending the FSA and changing standards for Florida classrooms https://all4schools.org/2021/11/01/in-focus-ending-the-fsa-and-changing-standards-for-florida-classrooms/ Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:18:58 +0000 https://all4schools.org/?p=6410 The post In Focus: Ending the FSA and changing standards for Florida classrooms appeared first on Alliance for Public Schools.

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Recently, Gov. DeSantis announced a goal to end the Florida Standards Assessment. This statewide, standardized exam, given to Florida’s school children in grades 3-10, was made obsolete by the state’s initiative to change Florida’s education standards. Formerly, Florida State Standards were based on the national Common Core State Standards which were frequently maligned by the governor. Now, the state is transitioning to BEST (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards and requires a new form of assessment.

Spectrum News’ In Focus examined the transition to new state assessments and what it will mean for Florida’s classrooms. Melissa Erickson, our Executive Director, participated in a panel with Representatives Plasencia and Valdes and discussed the impacts for Florida’s students, teachers and public schools. Watch here:

Screenshot from Spectrum News' In Focus

As we noted in an earlier post, Melissa emphasized that regardless of the type or frequency of assessments, the big question remains how will the tests be used? Our issue with these assessments has never been about the test. Instead, it has been the consequences tied to the tests that put too much pressure on children and educators. A third grader’s matriculation or a high school student’s future should not depend on one test- nor should an educator’s professional evaluation.

Follow this blog for more information on Florida’s changing assessments. The 2022 Legislative Session begins in January and lawmakers are meeting now to craft policies that directly impact children, teachers and public schools.

Click here to use our quick tool to send a message to the governor and tell him to support students and educators by removing the high stakes tied to testing in Florida.

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]]> 6410 Billions in federal aid earmarked for schools tied up in Tallahassee https://all4schools.org/2021/04/22/billions-in-federal-aid-earmarked-for-schools-tied-up-in-tallahassee/ Thu, 22 Apr 2021 14:42:10 +0000 https://all4schools.org/?p=5647 According to the Miami Herald, the Florida lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on how to spend $12 billion in federal COVID stimulus funds earmarked for public education. School…

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]]> According to the Miami Herald, the Florida lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on how to spend $12 billion in federal COVID stimulus funds earmarked for public education. School districts, strapped with additional expenses and needs due to the pandemic, desperately need these funds. Budget talks broke down between the House and Senate earlier this week as education chairs were unable to agree on spending plans. According to the Herald:

House leaders have appropriated some of the funds in their initial education budget offers and House Speaker Chris Sprowls said in an interview Tuesday that the Legislature’s role should be to give the Florida Department of Education spending authority over $7 billion in federal funds to give directly to K-12 school districts.

Senate leaders, meanwhile, have said little about how they want to use any of the money as they say they are still figuring out how they can and cannot use the federal funds on education.

The spending disconnect between the House and Senate has stalled education budget negotiations and left many key education spending issues in flux, including final decisions on teacher pay increases, one-time $1,000 bonuses for educators and principals, and the Legislature’s efforts to expand the state’s school choice programs (although a deal on vouchers is nearing the finish line).

In order to finish the 60 day legislative session on time, the legislature must complete the budget early next week.

When the world shut down last spring, Florida’s public schools and educators turned on a dime to continue to serve their students. Educators learned new digital platforms and created virtual lesson plans. School districts served millions of meals, provided missing technology, and kept workforces employed. Florida’s children have experienced uncertainty and stress due to the pandemic. Distance learning, economic instability, and family health crises have impacted a generation of children. The learning losses are only beginning to be measured. Yet, lawmakers continue to tie up desperately needed resources that should be providing supports for students.

“These American Rescue Plan funds are essentially to provide more in-person learning options for students quickly, sustaining schools’ safe operations, supporting our students’ social emotional, mental health, and academic needs, and boldly addressing inequities that were exacerbated by the pandemic,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. Cardona said that it is “critical that states and districts bring to the table the voices of those who can best speak to how we can meet these goals, including students, parents, educators and stakeholders.”

Instead, the Florida Legislature’s budget talks have stalled. Stakeholders must advocate for the needs of children, educators and public schools.

TAKE ACTION TODAY: Tell Florida lawmakers to #releasethefunds to school districts so local decision makers can support the specific needs of their students, educators and public schools.

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