Florida House Set To Debate Proposal To Link Teacher Pay To Student Performance
April 4, 2010
Florida House members will get their chance next week to debate at length a controversial education reform measure that would link teacher pay raises to student performance on standardized tests.
And public school teachers will be packing the room in protest of the legislation.
The measure (HB 7189, SB 6) has turned into an ugly source of controversy, pitting Republican lawmakers against the teachers’ union in a fight over how educators should be paid. Proponents contend that teachers should be compensated based largely on results produced. Teachers say that is already the case and that the bill unfairly targets them by not taking into account external factors that could affect a student’s performance on test day.
The House Education Policy Council has scheduled a meeting for Monday to take testimony on two pieces of legislation: HB 7189 on merit pay and HB 7053, which requires students to take more difficult classes to graduate high school. But the bulk of the day will be spent on the merit pay bill.
The legislation, already approved by the Senate, would link teacher pay in part to student learning gains, create end-of-course exams on a district level basis and essentially eliminate any sort of tenure program for new teachers. Proponents of the measure say it will weed out the bad apples in the teaching profession while rewarding good teachers with higher pay.
“We need to make sure we’re rewarding our best teachers,” Education Policy Council Chair Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, told the News Service last month. “We have so many great teachers in the state of Florida and we’ve got to find creative ways to reward them.”
But it has also created outrage among public school officials. A representative of the school board association told senators last month that the plan has “done more to damage morale than anything I’ve seen in a long time” and the teachers’ union bemoaned it was shut out of negotiations.
A previous House meeting on the bill evolved into chaos when a vote was taken without hearing amendments from Democrats and allowing few teachers to testify. Rep. Marty Kiar,D-Davie, called the meeting a “sham” and Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, referred to it as a “miscarriage of justice.”
In response, the House Education Policy Council, the bill’s final stop before it goes before the entire House, scheduled eight hours for teachers and others to air their concerns about the bill on Monday.
Teachers have flooded lawmakers’ offices with emails, letters and phone calls. A spokeswoman for Senate President Jeff Atwater said the President had also received about 30 voice mails on the issue from students during the school day over the past few weeks.
One student, a junior at Park Vista High School in Palm Beach County, wrote Atwater a handwritten letter saying that basing salaries on test scores “is beyond ridiculous.”
“I believe that teachers are there to teach students and actually educate them, not spend 3/4 of the school year preparing for one test,” she wrote.
The Florida Education Association has also launched a Facebook group called NO Tallahassee Takeover and an accompanying Twitter feed to rally support against the legislation. It has also released a TV and radio spot to run in select markets. A spokesman for the FEA wouldn’t release how much the media spots cost or how long they would air.
“It will run as long as we think is necessary,” said FEA spokesman Mark Pudlow.
Some education advocates have warned that the legislation could drive teachers away from the state and that it does not take into account circumstances beyond a teacher’s control like socioeconomic factors, natural disasters like a hurricane or illness. Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, had proposed an amendment during the Senate debate to address that issue but withdrew it, saying he simply didn’t have the votes. Kiar has proposed an identical change to the House version.
Daniel W. Fortner, Sr., a teacher at Booker Middle School in Sarasota, wrote Atwater, Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who sponsored the Senate bill, and Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, saying he fears that even if he does earn merit pay, his potential for future earnings would be cut under the proposal.
“Unfortunately my family and I have come to the conclusion that, should the bill pass, we will move to another state,” Fortner wrote. “One that appreciates teachers and is willing to compensate them accordingly.”
Proponents of the bill will likely be out in force at the committee meeting as well.
The Associated Industries of Florida sent out a release Friday morning attacking the FEA for its opposition to the legislation. And the Florida Chamber of Commerce has also been a big supporter of the proposal.
“It’s time to institute a better process that results in better-prepared students and we can affect the greatest impact by changing how we evaluate and reward our teachers,” said Barney Bishop, AIF President. “Being evaluated based on the results produced and rewarded for a job well-done with additional compensation are not anomalous methods for determining employment status or pay.”
The Foundation for Florida’s Future, a Jeb Bush-backed think tank on education, has also been pushing the legislation. Bush, who ran against the FEA-backed gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride in 2006, has long been a proponent of merit pay for teachers.
By Kathleen Haughney, News Service Florida for NorthEscambia.com
Tate TV Production Students Seek To Win Video Competition
April 4, 2010
TV Production students from Tate High School’s Multimedia Academy are asking for your help so they can win a video contest to encouraging teens not to drink and drive.
This month, students in Tate High School’s TV Production classes entered the annual “Don’t Drink and Drive” video contest sponsored by the Lewis Bear Company and WEAR TV. Judges selected two of Tate’s videos as finalists; Tate is the only Escambia County public school to earn this recognition. The other two video finalists are from Milton and Catholic High Schools.
The director of Tate’s Multimedia Academy, Cynthia Reeves, urges “Please take a few minutes to text in your vote. These students worked very hard for this and deserve to win. Let’s show the community how proud we are of our talented young people.”
The winning school receives $1,000 and the video will play on Channel 3 during prom season.
To vote, send a text from your phone to 45203 and then type either DDD2 or DDD4 in the message area, denoting the second and fourth videos that are from Tate. To view the videos, click here.
Gunter, Flowers To Wed
April 4, 2010
Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Gunter, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah Leigh, to Mr. Trenton Anthony Flowers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Flowers. Miss Gunter is the granddaughter of Mrs. Dorothy B Gunter and the late Jimmie E Gunter Sr. of McDavid, Fla., and Joyce G Anthony and the late Norman Cecil Anthony of Brewton, Al.
The prospective groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Caraway of Atmore, Al., and Mr. Chuck Daughtry of Atlanta, Ga and Ms. Jean Flowers and the late Winston Flowers of Atmore, Al.
The wedding will be held April 17th at 5 p.m at First Baptist Church Atmore, Alabama.
Reception to follow.
All friends and family are invited.
Northview Chiefs Beat T.R. Miller
April 4, 2010
The Northview varsity and junior varsity baseball teams both beat T.R. Miller Saturday in Bratt. The varsity Northview Chiefs (15-4) beat the T.R. Miller Tigers 9-8 . The JV Chiefs beat T.R. Miller 4-3. Pictured after the game are: (front, L-R) Jansen Bodiford, Kaleb Purvis, Hunter Black, Austin Arrington, Shakel Holmes, Austin Lowery, Josh Scott, (back, L-R) Head Coach Sid Wheatly, Tyler Brooks, Dakota Stuckey, Aaron Chancery, Austin Reid, Coach Tommy Weaver, Brad Lowery, Heath Burkett, Taylor Martin, Brandon Sheets, Colton Sims, Dabney Langhorne and Coach Joseph Chastain. Submitted photos by Becky Lowery for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunrise Services And More Planned Across Area
April 4, 2010
A variety of events are planned for Easter across the North Escambia area.
- Molino – Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino will hold the following events: Compline on Easter Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
- Bratt – The First Baptist Church of Bratt will present the Easter Cantata “I Will Rise” on Sunday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m.
- Molino – CrossFaith Church will begin Easter Morning at 10:00 with a youth drama “arise my love”. The young children will also do an Easter drama and then an Easter Egg Hunt outside. Wonderful praise and worship and awesome Word for the adults.
- Cantonment – St. Monica’s Episcopal Church at 695 South Highway 95A will hold the following events: Easter Sunday, 7 a.m., Sunrise Service, 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.
- Atmore – The Atmore First United Methodist Church will present the Easter cantata “I Know My Redeemer Lives” on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.
- Atmore – The First Presbyterian Church of Atmore, 208 East Horner Street, will have an Easter Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.
- Walnut Hill – The Walnut Hill House of Prayer at 52 North Cypress Street will have an Easter Singing at Sunday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. with special guest Bishop Willis Phillips.
- Walnut Hill – Walnut Hill Baptist Church will hold its annual Spring Jubilee at the church on April 10th beginning at noon. After eating lunch and children’s/youth games and egg hunt, everyone will go to Bradberry Park for a baseball game.
- Molino – The Easter musical “The Easter Pageant That Almost Wasn’t” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 11 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino.
Kingsfield Road Home Damaged By Fire
April 3, 2010
A Kingsfield Road home suffered moderate damage in a Saturday morning blaze. The 10:30 a.m. fire was quickly contained by the Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue. There were no injuries reported. Six people were left without a home following fire. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Trapped, Transported By Helicopter After Wreck In Her Neighbor’s Yard
April 3, 2010
A local nurse is recovering after reportedly falling asleep on her way home Saturday morning from Sacred Heart Hospital and hitting a tree in her neighbor’s yard.
Stacy Hancock was flown back to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight after the accident. Her injuries were not considered life threatening. Firefighters were forced to use the Jaws of Life to extricate Hancock from her car following the accident about 8 a.m. on Tate Road.
The Ensley and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call. The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured below: A Cantonment woman was transported by LifeFlight following a wreck in her neighbor’s yard early Saturday morning. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Peggy Ellen Robbins Parr
April 3, 2010
Ms. Peggy Ellen Robbins Parr, age 61, of Hawkinsville, Ga., died Monday, March 29, 2010, at her residence.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ramona Violet Yosin Robbins; a daughter, Tammy Michelle Parr Shoemaker and a brother, William D. Robbins, Jr.
Ms. Parr is survived by her father and step-mother, William D. and Bernice Robbins of Pace, Fla.; one daughter, Tina Marie Parr of N.C.; two brothers, Michael Joseph Robbins of Walnut Hill, Fla. and Robert Fillingim of Pace and one sister, Ramona Anne Gay.
A private family graveside service was held Thursday, April 1, 2010, at 2 p.m. in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc., was in charge of all arrangements.
No Injuries When Vehicle Hits House, Pushes Into Young Boy’s Bedroom
April 3, 2010
There were no injuries when a vehicle plowed into a house on Highway 97 early this morning.
The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 4 in Davisville about 5 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol says Curtis Palmer, 36, of Atmore, was westbound on Highway 4 when he ran through the stop sign at the end of Highway 4, went across a yard and crashed into a brick house.
There were no injuries to Palmer or anyone in the house.
Palmer’s 2002 Mercury Mountaineer pushed into the brick wall of a bedroom normally occupied by a 10-year old boy. The boy was not at home at the time of the accident.
“I praise God that he was not in that bedroom,” the boy’s mother said. She was asleep at the time of the crash in a nearby bedroom. “He could have been really hurt.”
This is not the first time the home has been hit by a vehicle, according to the homeowner. He said he has tried for years to get the Florida Department of Transportation to place some sort of barrier along Highway 97 and a flashing caution light at the intersection. He said he has also tried for years to get the Escambia County Road Department to place rumble strips on Highway 4 to warn motorists of the approaching intersection. But so far, he said, neither entity has taken any action.
According to the FHP, Palmer was charged with careless driving. There was about $20,000 in damage to the house, according to a preliminary estimate by the FHP.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
For a photo gallery with more pictures from inside and outside the house, click here. The gallery also contains photos of the damage after the vehicle was removed.
Pictured above: There were no injuries when a vehicle hit a house early Saturday morning in Walnut Hill. Pictured below: The outside wall of the house was pushed in a young boy’s bedroom. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Big Changes For Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Fund
April 3, 2010
Major changes to a popular scholarship program that pays for the majority of Florida’s students to attend college easily won approval in the Florida Senate this week.
The Senate, by a 34-4 vote, approved changes that include upping the qualifying standards for the scholarship and permanently taking it away from students who can’t keep up their grades.
The reason for tweaking the program, which previously funded 75 percent to 100 percent of tuition for Florida students, is to keep the scholarship afloat. Since its 1997 inception, the scholarship has ballooned in popularity costing $75 million for the first year and $435 million in 2008-2009. To sustain it would cost about $480 million.
Instead, the Senate went with a $376.37 million for 2010-2011.
“We have been struggling every year to keep Bright Futures funded,” said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, the chair of the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Committee.
Under the Senate proposal, students in a first tier of awards would receive $126 per credit hour, while students in the second tier would receive $95 per credit hour. That’s the same amount students received this year because last year, lawmakers realized they could not fund tuition at 100 percent or 75 percent for every qualifying student and set a flat rate for the awards.
But the program needs to have even narrower parameters to survive, Lynn said. The Bright Futures budget is currently being funded by federal stimulus money and will be next year as well, but if the program expands and there is no more stimulus money, Lynn said she doesn’t know where to get the money.
The Senate bill includes raising the SAT requirements from 1270 to 1290 for the top award and 970 to 1050 for the secondary award. It also changes the stakes for students who don’t keep up their grades.Currently, students in the first tier must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, while the second tier students must maintain a 2.75 GPA. If they fail to do that and lose the scholarship, they can eventually apply for reinstatement. However, if SB 1344 is approved, students would not be able to apply for reinstatement.
A change was added to the bill though to allow exceptions such as illness, an emergency or military service to qualify students for scholarship reinstatement.
Lawmakers generally favored the change out of economic necessity, but some also noted that there was a need to make the scholarship need-based rather than merit-based because the highest achieving students would likely qualify for other scholarships. Poor students would have more need for the money, some argued.
Throughout the state university system, about half of the students are on the scholarship. At the University of Florida, about 93 percent of freshmen have a Bright Futures Scholarship while about 76 percent of the overall undergraduate population has one. The legislation does not affect students who are currently on the scholarship.
“It is too easy to get Bright Futures,” said Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate. “It is not a merit based scholarship, it is a scholarship for everybody at this point.”
Part of the bill does require all Bright Futures recipients to fill out the federal student financial aid form (FAFSA) so that the Legislature can start examining the financial means of students who receive the state-funded scholarships.
The bill was opposed by four Democrats, Sens. Dan Gelber, Charlie Justice, Al Lawson and Chris Smith.
Gelber, D-Miami Beach, said he understood the intentions of the legislation but that he could not support some of the provisions such as permanently taking away a scholarship.
“Now is not the time to close the doors of our higher education institutions to anybody,” he said.
The House has not included a similar provision in its budget, but has cut the flat rate for students receiving the awards to $110 per credit hour for the first tier and $83 per credit hour for the second tier. The differences will likely be resolved in conference committees over the next few weeks.
By Kathleen Haughney, News Service Florida, for NorthEscambia.com