Florida education news: Travel to Cuba, textbook challenge, merit pay and more
STAY OUT: Florida maintains its ban on university scholars traveling to Cuba even as the Obama administration opens the door to more open travel.
BIASED BOOKS? A group with ties to the tea party challenges several Florida social studies textbooks as having a pro-Islam, anti-Judeo-Christian bias.
CAREER FOCUS: State Rep. Jimmie T. Smith of Inverness looks for ways to let Florida students remain on a career-technical track despite the state's efforts to boost graduation requirements.
EMPTY SEATS: Florida school districts used state money to build more student stations than needed, the AP reports.
PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR: James Griffin of Broward's Lauderdale Lakes Middle wins the honor, the Miami Herald reports.
TEST PREP: Lee school teachers turn their attention to ensuring their students are prepared for the FCAT as the second semester begins, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.
COUNTING STUDENT RESULTS: Broward teachers and school district officials steel themselves for another battle over merit pay as the district receives its Race to the Top funds, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
NO PARKING: University of West Florida students jockey for scarce parking spots as enrollment rises, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
Visit the Gradebook at noon for an interview about teacher recruitment with Florida deputy chancellor of education Kathy Hebda.