education


Using bedtime stories to tackle math

By Murphy Stidham and Kathleen Bajalia | gargoyle@flagler.edu Counting more than just sheep before sleep can help parents teach their children math skills. A new iPad app turns solving math problems into a game. “Bedtime Math” makes learning math less intimidating for parents and children,…


Neighborhood’s remarkable birthright: Free tuition

By Montana Samuels | gargoyle@flagler.edu It’s a cloudy day, with rain coming down for most of the morning. Small houses, some with clean, landscaped yards are sprinkled in with the majority that remain on the verge of unkempt. Upon first look, nothing stands out about…


Education students weigh whether state tenure laws will force them out of state

The fear of losing a job over performance wasn’t as big a concern for Florida’s teachers in the past. But when the state eliminated tenure for public school teachers in 2011, it left many entering the field of education questioning whether they had a future teaching in Florida. Tenure is a position given to teachers that guarantees the safety of their job until they decide to leave or retire. In 2011, Florida decided to do away with tenure in favor of a system that rewards teachers for student performance on tests.


Take the risk

By Gracie Stackhouse | gargoyle@flagler.edu As graduating college seniors, we can all agree that there is one looming question constantly hanging over our heads. Most of us probably hear it on a daily basis, and quite frankly it’s terrifying and intimidating.   Like a loaded…


Many fear Common Core holding students – and teachers – back

By Emily Topper | gargoyle@flagler.edu With a focus on testing, Common Core results in more stress, not knowledge. The re-election of Gov. Rick Scott means more changes for education in Florida—but many Florida residents think the changes could cause more harm than good. Though Scott…



Higher teacher pay will bring quality education

By Lindy Almony | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Americans speak often about investing in the future with K-12 education. President Barack Obama said during a speech in February that, “Education is an investment that we need to win the future.”

How much, though, do we really invest in education in this country? And how much does the success of our education programs depend on the teachers?


New teacher pay law stifles student learning

By Cal Colgan | jcolgan@flagler.edu

Class is about to begin. Today’s lesson starts with a simple question: How effective are state tests at determining student performances?

Ah, good. You realize this is a loaded question. After all, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test is one of the most controversial standardized tests in the Sunshine State’s public schools. Since its passage in 1996, the FCAT has garnered praise from lawmakers and harsh criticism from teachers and their advocates.