Today's news

RETURN TO SEGREGATION: More schools would become predominantly black under a new student assignment plan that Pinellas superintendent Clayton Wilcox is pitching. He says there's nothing wrong with schools that aren't racially mixed, so long as there's equity in educational opportunity. Now, don't take this as an editorial jab, but, isn't that the same thing as favoring separate but equal, just with different words? (Times photo, 2006)

SPEAKING OF CLAYTON WILCOX: Funding issues are on his mind, too. Witness one testy e-mail to the Clearwater mayor, in which the superintendent blasts a decision to send city officials traveling while they considered cutting funds for school resource officers.

CUTTING BACK: Florida's state university system must deal with less money in the coming year, too. How? More adjunct professors instead of full-timers. Fewer course offerings. Shorter lab hours. You get the picture.

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: The Pasco school district is in the midst of 128 school renovation projects. District officials are looking for even more money to pay for more items on the to-do list.

THE TAX PLAN: Lawmakers reach a deal on how to cut property taxes. They say it won't harm education in the long run. Here are a few stories on the last day of special session from the Times, Miami Herald and NY Times. The Daytona Beach News-Journal editorializes that lawmakers are gouging education.

WALKING AWAY: More than half of black males drop out before finishing high school. It's a move that many regret, the Washington Post reports.

NOTE: The Gradebook might read a little differently over the next two weeks. Hey, everyone needs a break. But the blog will remain active and up-to-date in the hands of reporter Letitia Stein, editor Richard Martin and the rest of the Times education team that will support them. Chat with you in July. Jeff

Comments

[Teacher]

RE: Return to Segregation

Wilcox knows what the people need and what they desire in a school system. He listens, then studies the current condition before he responds with solutions. It's time for change. The Choice Plan isn't working...people want a return to neighborhood schools.

[Timmy]

Re: WALKING AWAY.

The problems that create high school drop outs start way before then.

Getting a GED is a good alternative for someone who tries to correct a mistake.

Part of growing up is slipping off the highway a little, but finding there are other ways to get back on track. Sure you may miss out on somethings but I bet those kids in the story have an appreciation for "thinking things through" before they act.

It might be better to admit our "one size fits all" system doesn't always work like we'd like it to and ask these kids what we could have done better. My car dealer always does and, believe it or not, has made some changes.