Blogging Black Miami

Passing the FCAT will be tougher

Yesterday, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to toughen the grading standards on the FCAT. The standards are not effective until the 2014-15 school year but the changes will likely not be good for traditional public schools in Florida especially in light of changes already in effect. Please pay close attention to the decisions made by the Legislature and the various governing Boards.  

Here are statements made by local state representatives. Please don’t sleep on this. 

STATEMENTS REGARDING NEW FCAT SCORING SYSTEM 

Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, House Democratic Ranking Member on Education, said:  "It is disappointing that the State Board of Education is continuing to demand that students take an irrelevant examination. It's even more appalling that now they want to make the test even harder for students to pass. I find these efforts to be folly. As a public school educator, I want Florida to focus on real strategies that help students get a well-rounded education that prepares them for college and careers in the global economy." 

Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, said: "If Board of Education members want to compare Florida's academic achievements to those of states such as Massachusetts, they should recognize that Florida fails to adequately fund its traditional public schools. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that Massachusetts spent $5,673 more per student in its public schools than Florida did in 2009. Florida ought to set high expectations for its students. But Republican legislative leaders and education policymakers must also recognize that they cannot continue bleeding dollars from traditional public schools. We're asking our kids to do more with less. And that's not fair."

 

Related Links: 

State Board of Ed approves new FCAT scores 

State Board of Education OKs tougher FCAT grading system 

Fla. school superintendents oppose FCAT proposal 

State Board of Education Members

 

FAMU President keeps his job and more than 30 students and alumni questioned in hazing death [VIDEO]

Last night’s CBS Evening News reported that the FAMU Board of Trustees did not suspend FAMU president Dr. James Ammons as strongly suggested by Florida Governor Rick Scott. The more important side notes of that story are that the investigation is taking some time because more than 30 students and alumni believed to have participated in the hazing death of Champion, have been questioned. Also, Robert Champion’s parents, visibly distressed, think that Dr. Ammons should step down. This situation is only going to get worse before it gets better.

 

 

Related Links:

Robert Champion Autopsy Report (CNN)

Dr. Boyce: Why the FAMU Hazing Incidents Make Me So Angry

Alleged FAMU Hazing Homicide Stirs Memories of Florida's Tense Racial Past

Rick Scott irks FAMU protesters when he says: 'I come from public housing.'

Congresswoman Wilson Introduces Mandatory Foreclosure Mediation Act, Fights to Keep Florida Families in Their Homes

Wilson: “It Is Time We Leveled The Playing Field and Made It Easier for Working Families to Stay in Their Homes and Provide For Their Children”

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-17) today introduced H.R. 3595, the Mandatory Foreclosure Mediation Act, to keep hardworking Florida families in their homes. The legislation would establish a mandatory mediation process for servicers of residential mortgages and borrowers.

“Florida families have been ravaged by the foreclosure epidemic across our state, and it is time to take action against predatory lenders who have taken advantage of innocent homeowners,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “This legislation will take on predatory lenders and the Big Banks by requiring mediation with at risk homeowners before foreclosing on a home. At a time when so many Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, it is time we leveled the playing field and made it easier for working families to stay in their homes and provide for their children.”

Specifically, the legislation would require loan servicers to initiate mediation proceedings with borrowers before any foreclosure action is taken, as well as suspend all current foreclosures until mediations occur. The bill would also mandate that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) create regulations outlining the mediation process and a system for determining whether homeowners qualify for loan modifications or foreclosure alternatives, with the goal of reducing mortgage principals.

If a loan servicer violates these requirements, the legislation would immediately bar foreclosure on a home.

 

 

Wilson on "Washington Watch" with Host Roland Martin This Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson is scheduled to appear on her first national Sunday show – “Washington Watch” with host Roland Martin on TV One – at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday Nov 6th. She will be discussing voter suppression in Florida.

If you’re in Miami, tune in to channel 173 on Comcast.

REP. STAFFORD STATEMENT ON STATE APPEAL OF DRUG-TESTING DECISION

Miami, FL_Nov. 3, 2011 - Earlier today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the State of Florida has filed notice of appeal in the case of Luis Lebron. As a result of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Luis Lebron, U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven halted enforcement of Florida's new law mandating drug tests for all applicants for the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Representative Cynthia Stafford (D-Miami) has filed legislation -- House Bill 4065 -- to permently halt the drug screening for assistance.

Representative Stafford offers the following statement in response to the governor's announcement:

"It is a great disappointment to learn that Governor Scott is continuing to waste taxpayer dollars on a legal crusade to defend what I believe is an unconstitutional intrusion in people's lives. What Governor Scott continues to forget is that being poor is not a crime, and the state should not attempt to treat poor Floridians as though they are criminal suspects. Mandatory drug testing for the purpose of applying for necessary assistance is mean-spirited, wasteful and unconstitutional."

Bank of America shut down!

On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 200 people from the 99% marched on the 1%, Bank of America, in Miami. They marched from the Bethel AME Church in Overtown, one of the hardest hit Black communities in Miami, to the downtown branch of Bank of America, where bank managers locked the doors before angry customers could go in and close their accounts.

BoA is a clear representative of the 1% and how they treat the rest of America. BoA continues to foreclose on homes, continues to nickel and dime customers through stupid fees, and continues to function on greed.

The Miami Workers Center will continue fighting for the 99%, working towards racial and economic justice for all people. Stay tuned!

DON'T SLEEP ON THIS: Miami-Dade County School Board Redistricting to be Discussed at Town Hall Meeting Nov. 2

A very important meeting on redistricting school board areas is schedule for 6-7 PM, Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in the auditorium of the School Board Administration Building, 1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132.

This meeting is required by law and decisions will be based on the 2010 Census. If you care about your schools and your Board Member representation, be there. The meeting will be televised live on WLRN Channel 17 but it is always good to show a physical presence.

Rest assured there has already been some discussion between concerned individuals about how the boundary lines should be drawn and if the number of districts should be increased or decreased. Stay alert. Pay close attention to what's said, who says it and what's not said.

For more information, contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Citizen Information Center at (305) 995-1128. Questions and/or comments should be sent to Redistricting@dadeschools.net.

If you have any comments before or after the meeting, feel free to post them here or on the Blogging Black Miami Facebook page.

Rep. Stafford's Message as Judge Scriven Strikes Down Drug Testing Requirement for Public Assistance Applicants

REP. CYNTHIA STAFFORD PRAISES JUDGE'S DECISION
TO HALT ENFORCEMENT OF LAW MANDATING
DRUG TESTING OF ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS

Rep. Stafford Sponsors HB 4065 To Permanent Repeal TANF Drug Testing Mandate

MIAMI, Fla. -- As the result of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Florida and the Florida Justice Institute (FJI), today U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven halted enforcement of Florida’s new law mandating drug tests for all applicants for the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

The judge ruled that the compelled drug testing is a search under the 4th Amendment, and that individuals retain a right of privacy against such intrusive, suspicionless searches by the state, even when applying for temporary assistance.

Representative Cynthia Stafford (D-Miami) issued the following statement pertaining to today's judicial order:

"I commend the ACLU of Florida and the Florida Justice Institute for pursuing what many consider an unjust attack on lower-income people and a very vulnerable population in Florida. The vigorous attempts to squash the legislation that mandated this testing are supported by today's court order.

"I also am the proud sponsor of House Bill 4065 for the 2012 legislative session to permanently repeal this unjust requirement. I look forward to the passage of HB 4065 by the Florida Legislature."

Miami's 99% Takes on Bank of America

The movement is moving! The 99% are waking up and moving across the country, and here in Miami. The Occupy Miami encampment is holding stong at the Government Center, and next Tuesday the 99% are marching on Bank of America.  

The 99% March on Bank of America

Tuesday November 1st, 10am

Greater Bethel AME Church

245 NW 8th Street 

Miami Dade Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (MDBC-LEO) Installs New Officers

MIAMI, FL _ City of Miami Gardens Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, was officially installed as Chairman of the Miami Dade Black Caucus of Elected Officials (MDBC-LEO) on Friday, October 21, 2011 at the annual installation reception hosted by Becker Poliakoff, P.A.