Gina Jordan

Jeb Bush Is Sticking To His Guns On Parent Trigger Bill

Gina Jordan — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:48:01 +0000

The Foundation for Florida’s Future isn’t giving up on the parent trigger bill.

Q&A: Teacher's Union Chief Questions Pace Of Transition To New Standards

Gina Jordan — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:02:47 +0000

Florida is working toward full implementation of Common Core State Standards by the 2014-15 school year.

The standards set benchmarks for each grade level.

New Lawsuit Claims Florida Teacher Evaluations Are Unconstitutional

Gina Jordan — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:21:48 +0000

The Florida Education Association and National Education Association filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s teacher evaluation system.

The system was created under a law passed in 2011 known as Senate Bill 736.

State law requires school districts base at least 40 percent of a teacher’s evaluation on student the parent trigger bill held a briefing with reporters today near the Capitol.

The briefing was hosted by Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future. The foundation was created by former Gov. Jeb Bush.

The group is staunchly behind proposed legislation titled Parent Empowerment in Education (SB862/HB867).

Florida Senate President Says Teachers Shouldn't Expect An Even Playing Field

Gina Jordan — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:51:46 +0000

Supporters say the charter school bill that has a good chance of passing Florida’s Republican controlled Legislature this year will better regulate charters and expand choices for parents.

One thing the bill won’t do is require the same evaluations for charter school teachers as traditional public school teachers.

Charters schools which do not participate in the federal Race to the Top program do

Florida Legislative Leaders Say This Is The Year For The Parent Trigger Bill

Gina Jordan — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:37:09 +0000

The parent trigger bill is back, and House Speaker Will Weatherford thinks it has a good chance of passing this year.

He even tweeted about it shortly after the bill was filed.

“It’s great public policy. It empowers families. It empowers parents, gives them the choices that they need,” Weatherford told StateImpact Florida.

Report Says Florida A National Leader In Charter School Growth — Another Says It’s Not Fast Enough

Gina Jordan and John O'Connor — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0000

The number of charter schools operating in the United States has surpassed 6,000 for the first time, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Charters are now serving a record 2.3 million students based on estimates from the current school year. But a pro-choice non-profit says Florida school districts are preventing more charters from opening.

New CPALMS Website For Teachers Makes Common Core Lesson Plans A Snap

Gina Jordan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:01:49 +0000

As states start phasing in Common Core standards in public school classrooms, no Common Core textbooks have been written yet, and new assessments are still being developed.

So, teachers are creating their own lesson plans as they begin to implement the standards.

They’re not doing it alone.

Why States Are Designing Two Tests For Common Core Standards

Gina Jordan — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Forty-five states and the District of Columbia are working toward full implementation of Common Core standards.

But there's a split in the way states will measure what students have learned. Two different testing systems are on the table.

One test will average a series of test results to determine a student’s score. The other is a single, adaptive test which tailors questions based on a student’s past answers.

The tests are being designed now for use by 2014-15.

Three Questions For An Elementary Principal About Common Core

Gina Jordan — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:38:55 +0000

Florida is in the process of transitioning to common core standards in public schools.

The first full year of implementation is scheduled for 2014-15.

45 states and Washington, D.C. have agreed to adopt common core standards.

The standards will measure whether students across the country are reaching certain benchmarks in English, Math and Language Arts.

Why 2013 Florida Legislature Will Hear No Casino Bills

Gina Jordan — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:37:13 +0000

The proposal to build mega-casinos in South Florida never made it to a final vote in the last session of the Florida Legislature. Now it looks like the issue may not be coming up again for at least another year.

Senate President Don Gaetz is setting up a new committee to examine Florida gambling which he says is both over- and under-regulated. But Gaetz is considered an opponent of gambling and he's in no hurry to pass a casino gambling bill.

Florida License Plate Proposal Delayed After Outcry From Tax Collectors

Gina Jordan — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:01:58 +0000

The redesign of Florida license plates is on hold.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles wants new license plates that are easier for toll booth cameras and red light cameras to read.

But the agency withdrew its request for approval by the Florida Cabinet Tuesday.

The DMV is tweaking the plan in part because of concerns by county tax collectors that private companies will be hired to issue the new plates.

Gov. Scott On Race-Based Scoring: ‘We Should Have High Standards For Everybody'

Gina Jordan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:39:56 +0000

Gov. Rick Scott wants the State Board of Education to change its plan to set passing scores based on a student’s race. But he isn’t saying what the board should do to alter the plan.

Every child should be performing on grade level in subjects like math and reading, Scott says. “I mean, I learn differently than other people learn, but I do know that all children can learn,” Scott says, “and we should expect we should have high standards for everybody.”

Analyst: Rick Scott Begins Unofficial Reelection Bid With Focus On Teachers

Gina Jordan — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:15:31 +0000

Gov. Rick Scott is trying to appease educators.

They didn’t like it when he chopped $1.3 billion in education funding from the state budget.

They liked it even less when he called for an expansion of charter schools and other alternatives to traditional public schools.

So, while most people are focused on the November ballot, USF Political Scientist Seth McKee says Scott appears to be ramping up his 2014 reelection campaign by extending an olive branch to teachers.

Elections Supervisor: “Perfect Storm” Of Long Lines Ahead For Voters

Gina Jordan — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:46:07 +0000

At the urging of the Obama campaign, Florida voters are showing up at elections offices around the state to fill out absentee ballots.

This comes on the heels of elections supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach counties advising voters to get absentee ballots and mail them.

The reason: long ballots and possibly long waits.

Agriculture Commissioner Says Industry Needs 'Stable, Legal Workforce'

Gina Jordan — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:12:10 +0000

Immigration and agriculture go hand in hand.

That's what community and business leaders in Tallahassee recently heard from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

He said immigration reform is vital to the health of the state’s agriculture industry.

Putnam told the Economic Club of Florida he is concerned the U.S. is losing business to developing countries that have different standards for hiring farm workers.

Judge: Former Republican Party Head Jim Greer Can Sue Two State Senators

Gina Jordan — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:08:43 +0000

A civil lawsuit filed by former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer against two state lawmakers can proceed.

A judge in Tallahassee on Monday refused to toss out the suit against Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Sen. John Thrasher. Greer is suing them as well as the state Republican party over severance pay he says they promised him.

Florida Investigates Possible Voter Registration Fraud By Republican Party Vendor

Gina Jordan — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:45:32 +0000

The state is investigating a Virginia-based company for possible voter registration fraud in Florida.

Strategic Allied Consulting was hired by the Republican Party of Florida to register voters ahead of the November election.

The Florida Division of Elections is concerned about a series of suspicious registration forms submitted by Strategic Allied.

FAMU Hazing Trial Begins Monday, Champion's Parents Talk To Katie Couric

Gina Jordan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:11:42 +0000

Eleven people accused in the fatal beating of Florida A&M University (FAMU) drum major Robert Champion are scheduled to go on trial this Monday.

They’re facing felony charges of hazing resulting in death.

All are connected to FAMU’s famed Marching 100 band, which has been suspended indefinitely.

The hazing happened after a football game in Orlando last November.

Florida Supreme Court Will Rule On Nuclear Cost Recovery Fees

Gina Jordan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:21:10 +0000

Utility companies in Florida are allowed to charge customers for power plants that may never be built.

It’s allowed under a law passed in 2006, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy wants the law overturned.

A legal challenge is now before the Florida Supreme Court.

Citizens Hikes Rates And Jettisons Thousands Of Policyholders

Gina Jordan — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:26:07 +0000

The effort to shrink the number of homes insured by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance is accelerating into high gear.

The Office of Insurance Regulation approved the company’s rate hike request this week.

At the same time, more than 200,000 Citizens customers are being contacted by private insurance companies that want their business.

The Florida Delegation's Snowy Day

Gina Jordan — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:37:00 +0000

It's the closest these Floridians will ever get to an actual snow day.

The threat of Isaac canceled most official business at the Republican National Convention Monday. But the storm went west, sending a little wind and rain to Tampa. The typical summer afternoon thunderstorm is worse.

So members of Florida's delegation were free to engage in a political snowball fight — they ate, partied and trashed a political traitor: former Republican Gov.

Isaac Doesn't Drench Party Plans For Florida Delegates At RNC

Gina Jordan — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Even as events were cancelled because of the weather, Florida’s delegates to the Republican National Convention managed to stay busy Monday.

The Florida delegation started the party Sunday night with a convention kickoff at Tropicana Field. Then, buses brought them back to their hotel for another reception.

Steve Zieman from Gulf Breeze in the Panhandle drank a beer and smiled after getting an update on Isaac. He almost didn’t make it.

“I had to decide whether or not the storm was really going to go on that course,” Zieman said. “But I wanted to support America.”

Students Learning English Get Extra Reading Help At Summer Camp

Gina Jordan — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:54:51 +0000

Juan Galvez is going into 4^th grade. His parents are from Bolivia and Guatemala, and they only speak Spanish.

When it comes to homework, Juan is usually on his own.

“My mom helps me a little because she knows the math,” says Juan. “But with reading, I’m good. I do it by myself.”

The Woman Behind Florida's Stand Your Ground Law

Gina Jordan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:21:19 +0000

The murder of Trayvon Martin turned a spotlight on Florida's law that authorizes the use of deadly force in self-defense. The law has been widely cited as the reason why shooter George Zimmerman has not been arrested.

Marion Hammer helped craft the law. She’s the powerful lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Florida. She’s also a grandmother who stands all of 4-feet-11-inches tall.

Florida Legislature Plays Judge And Jury In Claims Bill Process

Gina Jordan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:05:00 +0000

“Thank you very much and I apologize that this has happened,” Governor Rick Scott told William Dillon as he signed a bill giving Dillon more than a million dollars.

Dillon spent 27 years in prison for a murder in Brevard County. He was set free in 2008 after DNA testing showed he wasn’t the killer.

It took more than three and a half years for the Legislature to pass a bill compensating Dillon.

How Florida Lawmakers Are Addressing PIP Fraud

Gina Jordan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:52:29 +0000

Florida’s no-fault insurance requirement is set to undergo major changes this legislative session.

Right now, Florida drivers are required to have $10,000 worth of personal injury protection, or PIP, for payout in a crash regardless of who is at fault.

But fraudsters have taken advantage of this system, and auto insurance rates are skyrocketing.

Florida is one of the most expensive states for car insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. A fender bender can cost an insurance company tens of thousands of dollars.