Topic: Graduation rates

Mori Hosseini, presiding over his first Board of Governors meeting, recommitted the board to an accountability plan and called upon local Boards of Trustees to identify low-performing programs for elimination. ... Related Research: Jan. 16, 2014 State of the System address as prepared for delivery by Board of Governors Chair Mori Hosseini.

Pam Stewart presented her timeline during the Senate Education Committee meeting on Wednesday. Florida is among 45 states scheduled to fully implement Common Core State Standards in the fall, but officials have yet to select a new assessment to go along with the academic benchmarks. ... Related Research: Jan. 8, 2014 Presentation from Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart to the Senate Committee on Education, "Proposed Florida Education Plan for 2014-2016."

Policymakers and educators in 45 states have been for six years working on new standards for public schools. The standards are set to go into effect next school year but opponents have stalled implementation in other states and Florida supporters say they are not going to let that happen here.

A seven-year effort to have states voluntarily adopt a set of standards for public education is drawing to a close. Scores of groups have popped up to oppose the standards and are putting up obstacles just as Common Core supporters approach the finish line.

The former governor defended school grades and higher standards for students in a speech at an American Legislative Exchange Council conference. Acknowledging opposition to reforms he promotes, Bush told the group of conservative business leaders and lawmakers that the status quo is not acceptable. ... Related Research: Remarks from Jeb Bush to the American Legislative Exchange Council, shared by the Foundation for Excellence in Education.

The Senate Appropriations Committee got its first look at Gov. Rick Scott's budget recommendations Wednesday. ... Related Research: Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting materials, and video of meeting.

The board OK'd a proposal to create a performance-based funding program to "move the system forward." ... Related Research: View a Board of Governors chart of historic State University System funding.

The number of high schools in the state receiving an A or B rose 7 percent from last year's Department of Education ratings.

The governor says putting the Education Commissioner in the Cabinet as a statewide elected position would make the post too political and hurt education outcomes.

In a narrow decision Wednesday, the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled not to dismiss the case brought by public school students and parents and two advocacy groups that contend the Legislature is not providing enough money for schools.

The Board of Governors voted Thursday to seek $460 million more in funding than it received in this past session, and discussed plans for strategic changes across the state university system, including a greater emphasis on online classes.

Recommended reading for Education for Thursday, July 28, 2011.

A new report shows that Florida ranks 44th in the nation with a 63.9 percent graduation rate in 2008. The state, however, did see the fourth largest rate increase in the country with a 12.4 percent rise in the graduation rate.