Florida is also axing three Associated Marine Institute programs to save $1.7 million, part of an effort to cut 4 percent, or $18 million, from the juvenile justice budget. Advocates are bracing for additional cuts as legislators go back to the Capitol in January to deal with a $2 billion state budget hole.
Florida's juvenile justice system "is going to die the death of a million 4 percent cuts," said Jacqui Colyer, who leads a state juvenile justice advisory group.
Good question. We should rehabilitate children rather than simply locking them up. This is really bad as Juvenile facilities see an array of major and minor criminals including gun, drug, sex and assault offenders and they may share sleeping quarters and classes with teen pranksters sentenced for disrupting schools or destroying property. The truant comes in the car thief come out. So sad.
Florida's budget cuts block path for teachers seeking national certification
Dave Weber | Sentinel Staff Writer
December 26, 2008
Educators across Florida are bailing on plans to join the ranks of nationally certified teachers after the state Legislature yanked the money to pay for training and bonuses.
Just this month the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced that 1,826 Florida teachers had achieved National Board Certification after a grueling process that took a year or more. They were culled from 4,000 who sought the status, with Broward County alone having 358 who made the grade.
But this year only about 400 statewide are going after certification, with those achieving it next year expected to dwindle to a handful.
"We have only 10 trying this year," said Kelly Prough, coordinator of the program for Orange County schools.
That's down from 176 who entered the program last school year. A total of 101 succeeded in getting certification, which indicates they passed a rigorous course of study that experts say sets them apart as among the best teachers in the country.
Cost-saving measures by the state have cut the program off at the knees. Last year's $100 million budget for the program was reduced to $55 million for this school year, with some educators fearful even more cuts may come.
In previous years the state paid 90 percent of the $2,500 fee to enter the program, which trains teachers to improve instruction and then judges what they have accomplished. The state also offered an annual 10 percent pay bonus for certified teachers, plus another 10 percent -- about $4,500 -- for certified teachers who agreed to mentor other teachers.
Money axed
But with the state's economy collapsing in the face of the housing bust and reduced tax revenues, the Legislature axed the money to pay the initial certification fee. Only a few teachers in high-need schools qualify this year for partial-fee payment through a federal program.
The mentoring bonus was dropped, too.
"There is no school district in the state that has a large number of teachers going for it this year," said Carolyn Hevey, who heads the certification for Seminole schools.
Florida has pressed teachers for years to go after national certification as the state pushed for higher standards in the schools.
With 12,670 teachers certified in recent years, Florida has the second-highest total in the country, second only to North Carolina -- another Southern state that is angling to boost its national standing in education by improving quality of teachers.
Gov. Charlie Crist underlined the importance of the certification when the newly certified Florida teachers were announced.
"The basis of a quality education begins with the teacher in the classroom," Crist said in a statement accompanying the announcement. "As we grow the number of National Board Certified teachers, more students will have access to quality teaching and learning."
Randy Allman, a Seminole teacher who earned certification several years ago, said he most regrets seeing the mentoring aspect of the program go by the wayside. Last year 275 Seminole teachers worked many hours to help other instructors improve, he said.
"When there was a financial incentive, they were willing to push themselves and work nights and weekends," he said.
With the mentoring bonus gone, many have fallen back on the traditional second job to boost their income, those involved with the program say.
Can't afford it
As far as adding teachers to the certified ranks, most teachers can't afford to plunk down $2,500 to go for the certification, said Carol Olech, who is in charge of the program for Volusia schools. Last year 70 Volusia teachers tried for certification, but this year it is three.
"Obviously, we are concerned," said Jimmy Minichello, spokesman for the National Board. "Fewer National Board-certified teachers will have a negative impact on student achievement and teacher retention."
Teachers viewed the certification as a way to become more professional -- and receive a more professional paycheck. Low pay is one reason many teachers exit education.
Dave Weber can be reached at dweber@orlandosentinel.com or 407-320-0915.