DeSantis Wants To End FSA School Testing, Switch To ‘Progress Monitoring’
September 15, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday s announced a legislative proposal that will eliminate the common-core based, end-of-year, high-stakes Florida Statewide Assessment (FSA) in classrooms across the state.
Instead, he wants the state to create a “progress monitoring” standard called the new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T) plan. By creating the F.A.S.T. Plan, Florida will become the first state in the nation to fully implement progress monitoring instead of end-of-year standardized testing, and fully eliminate common core.
“This is going to be more student friendly. This is going to be more teacher friendly. This is going to be more parent friendly,” DeSantis said. “This is a big deal.”
“Florida’s education focus should be students’ growth and how we restore the conversation between parents and teachers in support of students’ growth,” DeSantis added. “In this final step to eradicate Common Core from our assessments, our administration is implementing the lessons learned from progress monitoring both during the state’s recovery and from our districts and schools that were already showing how we can better support students reaching their own unique growth goals.”
DeSantis made the announcement with Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran at High Point Elementary School in Clearwater, which is already using the progress monitoring approach. At the school, every student is considered to come from an economically disadvantaged family. They used progress monitoring tools throughout the 2020-2021 school year to make actionable decisions in real time, and the school was able to make a turnaround from a D to a C grade.
“We started by creating more flexible pathways to teacher certifications, elevating the profession through massively increasing minimum compensation, providing relief to our teachers who kept education going throughout our recovery and across-the-board increasing our focus on professional development and instructional supports,” Corcoran said. “Florida is now taking the next great step — using what many districts and schools have already proven to be true — that progress monitoring is a school accountability system that puts great information in the hands of our teachers, early and meaningfully, so they can drive students’ growth.”
DeSantis said the plan will reduce testing stress with much shorter tests in the fall, winter and spring that will inform students, teachers and parents about students’ growth, rather than a single lengthy end-of-year assessment that halts learning and leaves zero opportunity for improvement.
In addition, the governor said schools will reduce testing time an average of 75% through progress monitoring, increasing time for teaching and providing more timely, usable feedback to help students reach their unique goals.
Additional details are in the graphic below, which was provided by the Governor’s Office:
Atmore Man Charged With Drug Trafficking After Fleeing From Police
September 15, 2021
The Atmore Police Department on Tuesday announced a drug arrest last week.
On September 9, the Atmore Police Department and agents from the Alabama Drug Task Force, arrested 32-year old Charlton Orlando Jones of Atmore on charges for trafficking in a controlled substance (synthetic cannabis), possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude and resisting arrest.
According to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks, Jones was seen driving in the area of America Drive. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Jones in order to serve outstanding Escambia County (AL) warrants.
Brooks said Jones fled from the officer, and the officer initiated a pursuit.
“During the pursuit, the officer noticed Jones throwing items from the car that was later identified as a controlled substance. The officer observed Jones,” Brooks said.
The suspect synthetic cannabis, commonly called spice, weighed 1,186 grams with a street value of $24,000, according to police.
Explore Tech, Learn To Build Paper Circuits And Mini Robots At Molino Library
September 15, 2021
You can explore technology with a touch of engineering at the Molino and other branches of the West Florida Library.
Participants will lean to build paper circuits and mini robots with Cubelets with help from he library’s STEAM team.
Remaining program for the month include:
- Thursday, Sept. 16, 3 – 4 p.m. – Molino Library
- Saturday, Sept. 18, 1 – 3 p.m. – Genealogy Library
- Tuesday, Sept. 21, 3 – 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Pictured: The program was held earlier this month at the Century Branch Library.
Courts Closed On Thursday For Yom Kippur
September 15, 2021
Courts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will be closed on Thursday.
The courts of the First Judicial Circuit will be closed on Thursday, September 16 in observance of Yom Kippur. Regular operations will resume on Friday, September 17.
Northview Loses District Match To Baker (With Gallery)
September 15, 2021
The Baker Gators beat the Northview Chiefs in three sets Tuesday night in volleyball district play in Bratt.
Baker defeated Northview 25-10, 25-20, 26-24.
With the loss, Northview sits at 0-1 in the district but 4-2 overall for the season. Baker is 4-1, 3-0 in the district. Northview travels to Jay on Thursday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gay C. Hassebrock
September 15, 2021
Gay C. Hassebrock, surrounded by her family, peacefully passed on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the age of 74. She was born on July 14, 1947, and was a longtime resident of Molino, FL. Gay was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Lyle Cleaveland and Lois Grace Munson Cleaveland; brother, Lyle Fred Cleaveland; and sister, Bonnie C. Donaldson.
Born and raised in Foley, AL, Gay was an active member of the Foley United Methodist Church. She spent her high school summers as a lifeguard at the city pool. Gay was a 1965 graduate of Foley High School and went on to attend Huntingdon College. She later transferred to the University of West Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Gay taught in both Santa Rosa and Escambia County school systems. Most of her 35 plus years were spent at Bratt Elementary School. Gay has been a member of Dogwood Park Baptist Church since the early 1980’s. Throughout the years, she was instrumental in organizing Vacation Bible School, as well as other church programs, and also served as the church Secretary and Treasurer. She attended a weekly women’s bible study in her pursuit to grow deeper in her faith. Gay was an avid reader, loved puzzles, movies, and Alabama football.
Gay is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Bennie Earl Hassebrock; daughters, Karla (Jamie) Bowlan, Brantley, AL and Brandy Bryan, Warner Robins GA; sons, Dean (Angela) Hassebrock and John (Sarah) Hassebrock, all of Molino FL; thirteen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Dogwood Park Baptist Church, 3301 Highway 97, Molino, FL, with Pastor Phil Fischer and Pastor Russell Branch officiating. Burial will follow in Dogwood Park Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10:00 AM prior to services.
Pallbearers will be Seth Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Parker Hassebrock, Caleb Hassebrock, Zachary Tipton, Garrett Montgomery, Jamie Bowlan, Jr., Andrew Bowlan, and Aaron Bowlan.
Ninth-Inning Homer From Sims Keeps Wahoos Alive In Postseason Hunt
September 15, 2021
Demetrius Sims broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth with a solo home run as the Wahoos came from behind to win the series opener 3-2 on Tuesday night at Toyota Field.
With the win, coupled with Birmingham’s loss to Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos are now 2.5 games out of the final AA-S playoff spot with only five games remaining in the season.
In the top of the ninth the Trash Pandas brought in Zach Liginfelter (L, 0-1) to try and keep the game at 2-2. With one out, Demetrius Sims belted a solo home run to right center to give Pensacola the winning run. Even though it was only Sims’s fourth home run of the season, it is the second time in two weeks that Sims has hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Colton Hock (S, 19) grinded his way to his league-leading 19th save of the year. After back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the ninth, Hock turned a spectacular double play to end the game. Luis Aviles Jr. smashed a ground ball up the middle that Hock somehow stopped with the glove. After a clean throw to second, Sims threw out Aviles out at first for a game-ending double play.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead in the bottom of the first thanks a double from Kameron Misner and a sac fly from JJ Bleday. Misner now has four doubles in his last three games for the Wahoos.
Pensacola’s 1-0 lead was short lived. After a leadoff single from Aviles, the Trash Pandas used a hit-by-pitch and a pair of walks from Kyle Nicolas to score Aviles and tie the game at 1-1.
After Rocket City took a 2-1 lead, the Wahoos tied the game in the top of the fourth. With Griffin Conine at third, Sims singled to right to bring home Conine and tie the game at 2-2. Sims finished the night with three hits tying his season high.
Kyle Nicolas grinded through five innings for the Blue Wahoos in what appears to be his final start of 2021. He allowed two runs on two hits in five innings of work. Despite walking five he also struck out five in the no decision.
The Blue Wahoos will try to make it four wins in a row in the Wednesday’s contest. Pensacola ace RHP Max Meyer (6-2, 2.56) will make his 20th start of the year and he will be opposed by RHP Christopher Molina (5-1, 4.36).
Eugene Lacy Wheeler II
September 15, 2021
The family of Eugene Lacy Wheeler II, mourns the loss of a beloved husband, father, son , and best friend, who passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021.
Gene was born in Bratt, FL. on August 4, 1983. He graduated from Northview High School in 2001 and Bishop State Community in 2014. He worked as an Instrumentation and Electrical Technician at BASF in McIntosh, AL.
Gene’s favorite activities were hunting, fishing, family picnics, and spending time with his sons on the farm.
Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas Henry and Lola Peebles, his grandfather Eugene Lacy Wheeler, and younger brother, Shawn Adam Wheeler.
Gene is survived by his wife of eight years, Anna Juck Wheeler, sons, Thomas Michael Wheeler, age five, and Dustin Eugene Wheeler, age two, parents, Tony and Becky Wheeler, relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held Friday, September 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Pallbearers will be Robert Peebles, Derick Peebles, Jeremy Lisenby, Brandon Smith, Chantz Ziglar, Tyler Bozeman, and Erik Kirby.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Angel Studios, producers of “The Chosen”.
Patricia McGill Cooper
September 15, 2021
Patricia McGill Cooper, age 80, passed away on September 4, 2021 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on March 17, 1941 in Perdido, AL to the late Reece S. and Ruth Vaughn McGill. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Atmore, a homemaker and a substitute teacher with Escambia County High School for many years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. “Dale” Cooper; her daughter, Kathy
Cooper Patrick and her brother, Lowell McGill.
She is survived by her son, David (Linda) Cooper of Augusta, GA; her daughter, Becky (Bruce) Gentry of Cape Girardeau, MO; her sisters, Glennes Hadley of Perdido, AL and Diane Weaver of Silverhill, AL; six grandchildren along with several great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Atmore, AL with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Rev. Keven Garrett officiating. Interment will follow at Perdido Baptist Church Cemetery in Perdido, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Steve McGill, Mark McGill, Bryan McGill, Randy Hadley, Phillip Hadley, Tim Hadley, Adam Weaver and Dylan Johnson.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Century Botches Tax Increase, Budget For Next Year
September 14, 2021
The Century Town Council totally botched an attempt Monday to pass a tentative property tax increase and budget for the next fiscal year.
An agenda for the public hearing improperly indicated that property taxes would not increase. Council President Louis Gomez read from agenda, and with a 4-0 vote the council approved no property tax increase. But the resolution required, and signed at the end of the meeting by the council president, sets a different millage rate than discussed and actually includes a tax increase.
Century’s accountant, Robert Hudson, sat through the meeting and did not correct the council’s misguided actions. The mistake was caught by NorthEscambia.com and pointed out to town officials after the meeting. We were the only members of the public to attend the public hearing.
The mistakes invalidate signed resolutions tentatively raising taxes and setting a budget because that was not the council’s actual vote. The percent of the increase as stated in the resolution was also calculated wrong.
It was not clear Monday night what Century’s next required step will be to right their failure, but it seemed that another public hearing will be advertised to redo the resolutions before final public hearing is held. The process needs to be completed before the new budget year begins October 1.
The intended council action last night was the first of two required approvals for a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 7.1% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8553 mills. The rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year.
A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by Florida law as a tax increase and the town must advertise such, although the council was advised differently by their accountant.
“Y’all are not going up on the taxes,” Hudson advised the council “Even though a person’s real estate tax is going to increase, it’s increasing because the value of their property is going up.”
The town is proposing a $5.7 million budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, up from $4.14 million during the current fiscal year. The increase is mostly due to income from grants.
Mayor Ben Boutwell did not attend Monday’s meeting, and council member Leonard White was absent. White had advised the town clerk that he was unable to get time off from his job as a corrections officer. Council member James Smith, Jr., first spoke during the meeting using Zoom audio about nine minutes after the public hearing started.
Pictured: Century’s accountant Robert Hudson (foreground, right), and council members (L-R) President Luis Gomez, Jr., Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Dynette Lewis. Pictured below: Other than NorthEscambia.com, not member of the public attended the public hearing. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
