Gradebook

The tiny Jefferson County school district, about 25 minutes outside Florida's state capital, turned out poor student performance for more than a decade. Its finances were in peril, too, as the racially divided community battled politically over the flailing school system of about 800 students. About three years ago, the state stepped in, declaring the district in financial emergency, and then pushing an academic turnaround plan that ultimately turned Jefferson County into a district operated by charter schools. The efforts, though small in size, offered an insight into the possibilities of where the state might go with other, larger school districts that don't meet the test-based accountability expectations set by the state. WLRN radio education reporter Jessica Bakeman spent close to three years looking into the tale of Jefferson County schools. She shares her findings with reporter Jeff Solochek.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

School districts across Florida have long lists of construction, maintenance and repair projects with price tags that far exceed the revenue they anticipate getting from the state. Dozens have gone to their voters asking for sales tax increases to bolster the amount available to spend. Several more are looking that direction. Why are the local officials feeling forced to seek local solutions? The state has given what little capital funds it has to charter schools, rather than district schools, in the name of funding equity. Exacerbating the situation, the state has cut its support of capital projects by 71 percent, as a share of the economy, over the past decade. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities senior researcher Mike Leachman has been looking into the data, and talked with reporter Jeff Solochek about the implications of spending less money on keeping the schools up to snuff.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Teachers have contracts with their school districts for a reason. The agreements detail what their employers can expect of them, and what they're required to do. But what about when a principal 'suggests' that something more needs to get done, and requests volunteers? There's no mandate to do the work, but the pressure certainly exists, along with the message, ignore at your own risk. At least, that's what Hillsborough County Classroom Teachers Association leaders are contending as they negotiate this year's employment deal with the nation's eighth largest public school system. Reporter Marlene Sokol discusses the union's concerns with union organizer Lindsey Blankenbaker, who worked as a high school social studies teacher before joining the HCCTA staff. "Go out and watch teachers leaving at the end of the day," Blankenbaker says. "I'll challenge you to find someone who's not walking out with a tote bag or a rolling cart full of papers to grade, or materials to work on."  See acast.com/priva

Over five years, the Pinellas County, Florida, school district has seen the number of student disciplinary actions drop by almost half. You might think that means kids are behaving better, and schools are running more smoothly. District leaders like to credit the decline to new programs aimed at dealing with problems before they get out of control. But some teachers say that's not necessarily what's happening. Hear Tampa Bay Times reporter Megan Reeves discuss with Jeff Solochek what she learned while looking into the numbers.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

4,000 door locks. 97,000 wrist bands. Hundreds of hires. Millions in upgrades. Summertime offers a break from school to students and teachers. But it's the busy season for districts' maintenance, purchasing, security, transportation and other employees who use the time to prepare for when everyone returns, expecting a smooth start to the learning process. Betsy Kuhn, the Pasco County school district's assistant superintendent for operations, discusses all the work her staff has put into making sure the nearly 80,000-student system is ready for its first day of classes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

London Eaves is excited to have her very own classroom for the first time. A Florida International University graduate, Eaves said she couldn't have imagined going into any profession other than teaching — despite all the concerns about increasing state mandates, low pay and other woes that many veteran educators have voiced in recent years. Why? Teachers supported and encouraged her as a child, and and she looks forward to making a difference in her own students' lives. Eaves attended new teacher training in her Pasco County district this week, and she spoke with reporter Jeff Solochek about her plans, expectations, and why she wants to teach.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With demands growing and respect from some declining, many teachers talk about leaving their profession. Not Dre Graham, Florida's 2020 Teacher of the Year. Dr. Graham, a music instructor at King High in Tampa, says whenever the logistics and the mandates drag him down, he remembers the "why" that attracted him to teaching in the first place: Making a positive difference in students' lives. For the next year, Graham will travel the state, serving as an ambassador for education, encouraging all involved to ensure that every student has the opportunities to learn and succeed. Some disruption might be needed. He discusses his thoughts and plans with reporter Jeff Solochek.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Hillsborough County school district has struggled to boost some of the lowest performing schools in the state of Florida. Despite several efforts, including cash infusions and outside expert assistance, progress has been slow going. Reporter Marlene Sokol, who covers the nation's eighth-largest school district, discusses the initiatives taken, their pros and cons, and the future of the improvement attempts with assistant superintendent Tricia McManus and Jennings Middle School math team leader April Cobb.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Growth in contributions to Florida's tax credit scholarship program slowed to the point where supply no longer met the growing demand for assistance to attend private schools. State lawmakers responded by putting millions of taxpayer funds into a school voucher program, to help bridge the gap. And they show no signs of stopping their efforts to expand initiatives aimed at providing alternatives to traditional public schools. Doug Tuthill, president of scholarship funding organization Step Up For Students, sees even less restrictive education savings accounts as the logical next step. Tuthill, whose group influences state policy on vouchers and related measures, discusses with reporter Jeff Solochek the trajectory of the state's "choice" model and his rationale as a liberal for participating in the Republican-led push, which has lately has gained more bipartisan support.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Megan Harding began the 2018-19 academic year as a classroom teacher in her Pasco County, Florida, elementary school. Within four months, she had won a seat on the local School Board. After having touted herself as best for the job because she understood what goes on in schools, Harding next had to make the transition to policy maker and figure out what exactly that meant. She quickly became a force on the board, convincing colleagues to stream their meetings online and casting several deciding votes on critical issues. But Harding acknowledged she still has much to learn as she fulfills her role as an elected representative.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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In Florida, a high school student's official grade-point average cannot exceed 4.0. Not so in Hillsborough County, the state's third-largest district and the eighth biggest in the nation. Its students can earn an extra 0.04 points for each district-approved honors course in which they receive a C or higher, and an added 0.08 points for every AP, IB, AICE and dual enrollment class. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to rise above, but none more than Newsome High 2019 valedictorian Katherine Metheny, who finished with a 10.58 GPA. District officials said they are unaware of anyone who has ever graduated with a higher GPA. Why did she do it? Was she able to have a life outside of classes too? Metheny talks about her accomplishments, her goals and life as a high achiever with reporter Jeff Solochek.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Several Florida school district leaders lined up to reject the idea of letting classroom teachers carry guns in schools as part of a guardian program even before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law. Bay County superintendent Bill Husfelt was not among them. Husfelt welcomed the initial guardian plan a year ago, and said the expansion of the model would help keep his county's students, employees and schools safe. Already, he said, several teachers are signing up to get trained. Why is his perspective so different from many others? Husfelt discussed his views with reporter Marlene Sokol.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After 18 months of review and debate, the Hillsborough County school district — the eighth largest system in the nation — has decided to do away with the Indians, Chiefs and Warriors as mascots at elementary and middle schools, while easing away from the names and connected traditions at its high schools. Some places have welcomed the news, while others have balked at any change. Shannon Durant, who chaired the committee leading the effort, discusses the reasons behind the district's approach with reporter Jeff Solochek.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With leaders’ attention on issues like immigration and health care, 2019 looked like it might not provide too many education-related fireworks for a change.But just as in years past, the subject matter elicited some of the most heated and passionate debates of the session, with some of the specific ideas taking lawmakers down to the wire before they could adjourn for the year.Many of the bills that grabbed the most attention came straight from the conservative playbook, whether they passed or not. Vouchers made it through. A Bible course requirement did not. Teachers carrying guns survived. School Board term limits died.Tallahassee bureau education reporter Emily Mahoney joins Jeff Solochek for a review of the recently ended session, with some hints too of what might come next with the 2020 session set to begin in less than eight months (with committee weeks sooner than that).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jackson Francis failed his junior year classes at his high school in Pasco County, Florida. His dad was diagnosed with cancer, and the news "changed my whole who I am." He got moody and emotional, didn't pay attention in class or complete any work. "I literally stopped caring," he recalls. Then Francis got his senior year to-do list from his counselor, detailing what he needed to finish to get his diploma. He thought about dropping out in the face of the mountain of work. Instead, he buckled down. Francis explains to reporter Jeff Solochek what he had to do to get back on track for his May 2019 graduation, and why he did it.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many conservatives in Florida contend that parents should have a greater say in the education and care of their children. Schools have a role to play, they say, but should not be allowed to substitute their judgment for that of parents — even when children attempt to assert their own rights to privacy. Florida lawmakers have proposed a new section to state statute outlining the rights they believe parents should have enshrined in law, assuring that school districts and other governments cannot keep them from fully participating in the raising of their children. Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, who helped write the legislation and stands among the most ardent supporters, speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the initiative and why she thinks parents need a stronger voice written into law.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Thousands of students in Hillsborough County schools — the nation's eighth largest district — struggle to read at grade level, despite years of effort and millions of dollars directed at helping them. Why isn't the system seeing improvement? After talking with dozens of students, teachers and other experts, reporter Marlene Sokol has some insights into what drives the problem. One key takeaway: Reading has become a requirement rather than a passion, making it harder to hold distracted children's interest. She discusses her new special report on reading in this latest Gradebook podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Florida lawmakers face term limits. Now they’re trying to impose limits on school board members, as well.An effort by the Constitution Revision Commission to place the idea on the 2018 ballot failed. So the Legislature is working to get the idea on the 2020 ballot, instead.If approved, the measure would require board members to leave office after completing two consecutive four-year terms. After a break, they could again seek election.Nick Tomboulides, a Florida resident who is executive director of U.S. Term Limits, has been among the most vocal advocates for the proposal. He explains his support, along with his rebuttal of the arguments opposing the idea, to reporter Jeff Solochek.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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