Blog

Guest post: How to walk in the moccasins of our students

12/18/2015

It’s important to recognize the challenges that our students have to overcome in schools and beyond. That’s why the Jacksonville Public Education Fund continues to elevate the voices of those who work directly with students. Erica Rickey, City Year Team Leader at Smart Pope Livingston Elementary shares how corp members walk in the moccasins of students on a daily basis.  

City Year is an organization that deploys diverse team of young adults to serve full-time as mentors and role models to help keep students in school and on track to graduate. - Ale’ta Turner

Bipartisan win for kids in post-NCLB federal education bill

12/17/2015

President Barack Obama signed last week a bill to replace the much-maligned No Child Left Behind act. Formally referred to as the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the law was supported by a strong bipartisan majority in both the House and Senate.

Pulling apart the proposed changes to school grades

12/16/2015

Last week, the state Department of Education released data projecting “simulated” school grades for the 2014-2015 school year, based on what those grades could look like if a series of accountability rule changes under consideration are approved by the State Board of Education in January.

A major source of surprise (and some confusion) about the simulated grades was that, on the whole, the numbers of A, B, C, D, and F schools respectively appeared that they would remain relatively unchanged from the 2013-2014 totals. Check out our new simulator tool to see one reason why that was.

Making sense of your child’s math homework

12/14/2015

The Florida Standards will make our children critical thinkers and better prepared for the future. However the transition to higher standards for local students, teachers and parents can be challenging at times.  As a parent, Ale'ta Turner experiences on a first-hand basis the positives and, at times, challenging math homework assignments.

Guest post: My kid goes to a “D” school … and I love it

12/11/2015

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund continues to highlight diverse voices and perspectives on public education issues. That's why we're glad to share guest blogger, Jason Roth of United Way of Northeast Florida article on his involvement at West Riverside Elementary.

Continue reading to see why Jason believes West Riverside Elementary is more than its school grade.