Florida Lengthening School Day.  I've been critical of Florida's education reforms in several of my blog entries over the years, but one cannot argue with their success in several areas, especially on closing the achievement gap between white students and students from several categories of racial minorities.  Florida's latest reform will be lengthening the school day and devoting more time to reading instruction.  As most of you know, reading by third grade is a clear market when it comes to measuring chances for future academic success and it will be interesting to see if other states follow Florida's lead.

Here is an article from the January 22, 2014, issue of Education Week:  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/22/18florida_ep.h33.html?qs=florida+school+day

Great Column.  Here's another item from Education Week (January 8, 2014, issue).  It's a really great column by Georgetown professor Dr; Peter W. Cookson, Jr., that provides some very keen insight on educational equity issues.  There are a lot of angles to the equity issue and while Cookson doesn't hit them all, I think he does a good job of explaining why education is the key to America's future and why it is important that all students have access to a high quality education.

Link:  http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/08/15cookson_ep.h33.html?qs=cookson

I urge everyone even remotely interested in education issues to sign up for the daily e-mail alert from Education Week.  You can view 10 articles a month without a subscription and with a subscription, you have unlimited viewing.  Education Week runs special subscription rates several times a year and a subscription is really worth it.

Thank You Belle Plaine.  It was fun getting out in this cold weather to visit the Belle Plaine school board last night.  It's always great to get out and visit with SEE school boards and if any members would like to have me out, just let me know.  Special kudos go out to Representative Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine) and Senator Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield) for providing their insight on what may lie ahead during the 2014 legislative session.