Lawmakers slashed spending for schools, approved major reforms | Philippine Times

Lawmakers slashed spending for schools, approved major reforms

The Miami Herald Monday 9th May, 2011

TALLAHASSEE -- For schools, the annual legislative session left in its wake a $1.1 billion funding cut — and, unlike in years past, a slew of new policy reforms to go with it.Lawmakers slashed spending by an average of $542 per student — a cut of nearly 8 percent, steeper than the Florida House or Senate had originally proposed.And they overhauled how teachers are evaluated, paid and fired; made major changes to benefit privately-run charter and virtual schools; and expanded school-voucher programs. Gaping budget holes have overshadowed ambitious education policies before in the state Legislature. But not this year.“One of the things that we committed ourselves to — knowing that it was going to be double the work — was not to put educational policy in...

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