Gradebook

By Tampa Bay Times

Gradebook takes you inside the world of Florida education issues with reporter discussions and newsmaker interviews on the hottest topics of the week. Florida has been a national leader in education i... more

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FAQs about Gradebook:

How many episodes does Gradebook have?

The podcast currently has 149 episodes available.

Gradebook episodes:

June 06, 2019 Changing mascots, revisited: Hillsborough schools leaders reconsider plans to drop Native American stereotypes
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22min
May 30, 2019 What does it take to earn a 10.58 GPA? An interview with Newsome HS valedictorian Katherine Metheny
In Florida, a high school student's official grade-point average cannot exceed 4.0. Not so in Hillsborough County, the state's third-largest district and the eighth biggest in the nation. Its students can earn an extra 0.04 points for each district-approved honors course in which they receive a C or higher, and an added 0.08 points for every AP, IB, AICE and dual enrollment class. Many students take advantage of the opportunity to rise above, but none more than Newsome High 2019 valedictorian Katherine Metheny, who finished with a 10.58 GPA. District officials said they are unaware of anyone who has ever graduated with a higher GPA. Why did she do it? Was she able to have a life outside of classes too? Metheny talks about her accomplishments, her goals and life as a high achiever with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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16min
May 23, 2019 Teachers with guns: Why does Bay County embrace Florida's armed guardian program?
Several Florida school district leaders lined up to reject the idea of letting classroom teachers carry guns in schools as part of a guardian program even before Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law. Bay County superintendent Bill Husfelt was not among them. Husfelt welcomed the initial guardian plan a year ago, and said the expansion of the model would help keep his county's students, employees and schools safe. Already, he said, several teachers are signing up to get trained. Why is his perspective so different from many others? Husfelt discussed his views with reporter Marlene Sokol.
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18min
May 16, 2019 Changing mascots: Hillsborough schools to drop Native American stereotypes
After 18 months of review and debate, the Hillsborough County school district — the eighth largest system in the nation — has decided to do away with the Indians, Chiefs and Warriors as mascots at elementary and middle schools, while easing away from the names and connected traditions at its high schools. Some places have welcomed the news, while others have balked at any change. Shannon Durant, who chaired the committee leading the effort, discusses the reasons behind the district's approach with reporter Jeff Solochek.
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22min
May 09, 2019 Vouchers, teachers with guns and other Florida education legislative highlights
With leaders’ attention on issues like immigration and health care, 2019 looked like it might not provide too many education-related fireworks for a change.
But just as in years past, the subject matter elicited some of the most heated and passionate debates of the session, with some of the specific ideas taking lawmakers down to the wire before they could adjourn for the year.
Many of the bills that grabbed the most attention came straight from the conservative playbook, whether they passed or not. Vouchers made it through. A Bible course requirement did not. Teachers carrying guns survived. School Board term limits died.
Tallahassee bureau education reporter Emily Mahoney joins Jeff Solochek for a review of the recently ended session, with some hints too of what might come next with the 2020 session set to begin in less than eight months (with committee weeks sooner than that).

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23min
May 02, 2019 Overcoming obstacles to graduate high school on time
Jackson Francis failed his junior year classes at his high school in Pasco County, Florida. His dad was diagnosed with cancer, and the news "changed my whole who I am." He got moody and emotional, didn't pay attention in class or complete any work. "I literally stopped caring," he recalls. Then Francis got his senior year to-do list from his counselor, detailing what he needed to finish to get his diploma. He thought about dropping out in the face of the mountain of work. Instead, he buckled down. Francis explains to reporter Jeff Solochek what he had to do to get back on track for his May 2019 graduation, and why he did it.
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9min
April 25, 2019 Parental rights in Florida: Should they be stronger?
Many conservatives in Florida contend that parents should have a greater say in the education and care of their children. Schools have a role to play, they say, but should not be allowed to substitute their judgment for that of parents — even when children attempt to assert their own rights to privacy. Florida lawmakers have proposed a new section to state statute outlining the rights they believe parents should have enshrined in law, assuring that school districts and other governments cannot keep them from fully participating in the raising of their children. Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, who helped write the legislation and stands among the most ardent supporters, speaks with reporter Jeff Solochek about the initiative and why she thinks parents need a stronger voice written into law.
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22min
April 18, 2019 A reading riddle for Hillsborough County schools
Thousands of students in Hillsborough County schools — the nation's eighth largest district — struggle to read at grade level, despite years of effort and millions of dollars directed at helping them. Why isn't the system seeing improvement? After talking with dozens of students, teachers and other experts, reporter Marlene Sokol has some insights into what drives the problem. One key takeaway: Reading has become a requirement rather than a passion, making it harder to hold distracted children's interest. She discusses her new special report on reading in this latest Gradebook podcast.
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23min
April 11, 2019 Why should Florida have school board term limits? With Nick Tomboulides of US Term Limits
Florida lawmakers face term limits. Now they’re trying to impose limits on school board members, as well.
An effort by the Constitution Revision Commission to place the idea on the 2018 ballot failed. So the Legislature is working to get the idea on the 2020 ballot, instead.
If approved, the measure would require board members to leave office after completing two consecutive four-year terms. After a break, they could again seek election.
Nick Tomboulides, a Florida resident who is executive director of U.S. Term Limits, has been among the most vocal advocates for the proposal. He explains his support, along with his rebuttal of the arguments opposing the idea, to reporter Jeff Solochek.

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22min
April 04, 2019 What's up with Florida education legislation? A look, halfway through session.
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25min

FAQs about Gradebook:

How many episodes does Gradebook have?

The podcast currently has 149 episodes available.