Garvey Fils-Amie, left, and Madjany Mouscardy work on a computer at Silver Shores Elementary School in Pembroke Pines. (MIKE STOCKER/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL/MCT)

It’s almost a certainty that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will dump the FCAT, toughen school standards, and make it easier to fire teachers. Democrats say it’s another attack on public schools.

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Senate panel approved on Wednesday a package of bills that would overhaul Florida’s public education system, creating a system of merit pay for teachers and increasing the amount of math and science a student needs to pass to graduate.

Left to right: Florida Memorial’s Dr. Karl Wright, Bethune-Cookman’s Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, Edward Waters’ Dr. Claudette Williams, and FAMU’s Dr. James Ammons won Onyx awards in 2009. Both Wright and Williams have moved on. (FLORIDA COURIER FILES)

Two of Florida’s four HBCUs continue presidential searches

BY STARLA VAUGHNS CHERIN
FLORIDA COURIER

Two of Florida’s four Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) – Edward Waters College and Florida Memorial University – are both searching for searching for college presidents amid very different circumstances.

Vice President Joe Biden speaks to a group of workers at a Clermont, Fla. construction site. Road builders say stimulus money is employing more Floridians. (TOM BENITEZ/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT)

COMPILED FROM STAFF REPORTS

Florida’s unemployment rate inched up in January, but did not eclipse the 12 percent level predicted by some economists months ago, the Agency for Workforce Innovation reported Wednesday.

The jobless rate hit 11.9 percent, up 3.2 percent from a year earlier and 0.2 percentage points higher than December’s adjusted rate.

Race to the Top funds would boost public schools

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA 

TALLAHASSEE – Florida is one of 16 finalists that could receive up to $1 billion in federal grant money for public schools that could dramatically change the way the state’s schools operate.

BY KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA 

TALLAHASSEE – A large influx of Haitian students into Florida schools has lawmakers and education officials bracing for an even tougher budget outlook for the state’s public schools.