Education

The Florida House of Representatives approved a proposal by a party line vote of 80 to 39 for the teacher merit pay bill. The new version is designed to mirror Florida’s plan for a $700 million federal race to the Top Education Grant. But, as Florida’s 89-point-one’s Lauren Buchwald reports, …

Some Florida lawmakers say, the teacher merit pay bill will improve Florida’s education system. The best of the best will be rewarded based on students’ success. Another change will include year-to-year contracts for teachers. WUFT-FM’s Lauren Buchwald spoke with Republican State Representative from Ocala Dennis Baxley about what he says …

Lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives will weigh in on a controversial bill already passed in the state Senate today. The bill proposes a new system of teacher merit pay in Florida. More on this story with WUFT FM’s 89.1 Natalie Beigel. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/TeacherMeritPaywrap.mp3]

Several student chefs from Eastside High School will be moving on to the National Competition, after they won the state championship in this weekend’s (3/12-3/13) annual Pro-Start Culinary Teams Competition. The students won in the different team and individual medals, and came back with more than $100,000 in student scholarships. …

Bully prevention was on the minds of President Barack Obama and the First Lady today, as they addressed the problem during a conference. President Obama says children shouldn’t have to accept bullying as an inevitable part of growing up. Susan Garcia is the Coordinator for Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support, …

While state lawmakers heading to Tallahassee to tackle the budget and education, federal lawmakers are taking a look at potential elder care issues. As WUFT-F-M’s Stephanie Brown reports, Congressmen are helping the elderly keep track of their own money. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/ELDERABUSEWRAP.mp3]

Floridians concerned about legislative proposals to cut billions from public schools took to the streets today in what they’re calling an “Awake The State” campaign. WUFT’s Chris Peralta has more: [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/rallieforweb.mp3]

Local students helped cook and serve food at this year’s Wild Game Feast in Gainesville. The event took place Thursday night at the Rotary Conservation Area at Hatchet Creek. The annual event sponsored by the local Rotary Club featured dishes created and prepared by students of the Eastside High School …

Alachua County School Board members held a meeting Tuesday night and a topic of discussion was Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget plan. With the state of Florida facing the largest budget cut in history, education programs alone will suffer more than $3.3 billion in cuts. Alachua County School Board Member …

Earlier this afternoon seven women in the Gainesville community were honored by Santa Fe College. The 24th annual Women of Distinction and Women of Promise luncheon was held from 11:30 this morning to 1 P-M. The women recognized in today’s ceremony were Theresa Harrison, Garrett Bell, Teresa Drake, Mariyln Nye-Islam, …