Today's news

CHECK AGAIN: Unexpected dips in fifth-grade FCAT reading performance have some Hillsborough and Pinellas educators questioning whether there's something wrong with the test.

YOU CAN'T COME IN: Some families are turned away from Hernando High's graduation, told there was no room inside. (Times photo, Will Vragovic)

DETAILS MADE PUBLIC: UF is letting about 12,000 students - mostly low-income and first-generation college students - that their personal information was publicly available on the Web for several years. It's not there anymore.

'DO YOU VALUE US?' Teachers lament Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to approve a cut to bonuses for National Board certification.

A BIG DRAW: Imagine School of Land O'Lakes, a K-6 charter school, has registered 424 kids with another 180 on a waiting list even before it has opened its doors. That might become problematic if the state's financial problems persist.

LITTLE INTEREST: Hernando officials are blaming high gas prices for low enrollment in its summer VPK program. About a third of the county's eligible 4-year-olds have yet to participate this year.

CAN YOU SPARE A DIME? Banks are hurting students who need help most by phasing out loans to folks who attend community colleges, the Times editorializes.

BUS ROUTES, AGAIN: Hillsborough continues to hold public meetings to talk with parents about changes in student busing.

LEGAL MERIT: Some legal experts say the family of a St. Lucie boy voted out of his kindergarten class has a strong leg to stand on in suing the school and the teacher, the Port St. Lucie Tribune reports.

GETTING BETTER: The FCAT has helped make Florida schools better, but they're still far from where they need to be, the Tallahassee Democrat opines. The Penscola News-Journal agrees.

LEGAL MANEUVERS: The Orange School Board heads to court to block a ballot initiative that would have voters choose the board's chairman, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

INTERIM PRESIDENT FOR UWF: Judy Bense, director of UWF's archaeology division, is the pick for interim president, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

BUDGET ROUNDUP: The state budget that Gov. Crist has signed still includes less money for public education, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. Florida Atlantic University tentatively approves tuition and fee increases, the Sun-Sentinel reports. Broward is considering increasing its cafeteria meal prices, the Miami Herald reports. Budget cuts have left poor kids with few summer options, El Nuevo Herald reports. Polk puts construction projects on hold, the Lakeland Ledger reports.

Comments

Regarding Imagine Schools, better check your facts. The original charter application was denied and subsequently the denial was upheld on appeal. Their recent approval was based on a new application. Sloppy research.

Misread your Imagine article. You are cccurate. Sorry.