Tag: commissioner

Florida education commissioner wants schools to end mask mandate for next school year

by  on  in Education Center

Online learning presented several challenges for children with autism

Though children with autism often like isolation, experts say the isolation caused by the pandemic is the last thing they need.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s Education Commissioner sent a letter to school districts asking them to make face masks voluntary next school year.  

In the letter, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran wrote, “The data shows us that districts’ face covering policies do not impact the spread of the virus.” 

The letter goes on to say that masks are a personal decision in the classroom and that they serve no good remaining in

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Minnesota’s new education commissioner says safe, in-person learning remains top goal

by  on  in Education Center

Heather Mueller’s first assignment as Minnesota’s top education official will be a big one: steering the state’s more than 500 public districts and charter schools through the end of this pandemic school year.

But it’s a role Mueller, currently the state’s deputy education commissioner, already knows well. Mueller has been the department’s point person on the COVID-19 pandemic from the beginning. She’s met regularly with other state leaders and navigated a sea of competing pressures from parents, business leaders, teachers unions, politicians and others with strong opinions about whether school buildings should be open in the pandemic.

Now, the longtime

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Education secretary candidates include ex-Howard University dean, Connecticut schools commissioner

by  on  in Education Publishing

Leslie Fenwick, dean emeritus of Howard University School of Education and a professor of educational policy and leadership, and Miguel Cardona, Connecticut’s commissioner of education, have emerged as two of the top contenders for President-elect Joe Biden’s education secretary, several people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

The education secretary will help schools navigate the final phase of the pandemic, with Biden saying he wants the person to create “clear, consistent, effective national guidelines.” Biden’s transition team is taking a close look at Fenwick and Cardona, several people told the Post, but there are still others

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Florida Education Commissioner extends distance learning into spring

by  on  in News

There are still questions about whether or not districts will get funding for students who chose remote learning.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Florida’s Education Commissioner announced Wednesday students can continue to learn remotely next semester, decision districts and the Florida Education Association pushed.

“There’s the flexibility and stability for the districts, our communities are safe, the entire education community from student to parent to teacher, and we get the best possible learning choice to parents,” Commissioner Richard Corcoran said. 

“I’m glad he’s looking at doing a new order to continue the flexibility that our districts need to serve all of our

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State education commissioner tells Miami schools to open by Oct. 5 or prove exceptions

by  on  in Education Publishing

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran wrote a letter to Miami-Dade County Public Schools calling for schools to be fully open by Oct. 5 or ask for exemptions on a school-by-school basis.

The School Board on Friday morning received Corcoran’s three-page letter, which was addressed to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman. He begins the letter by expressing “grave concerns” about the board’s recent vote for a delayed start to a soft and conditional opening of schools Oct. 14 with all schools opening for those who wish to return to the schoolhouse on Oct. 21.

Corcoran said Tuesday’s

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