SEBRING — More Highlands County third-graders scored at or above grade level in math and reading compared to the state average, according to Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test results released Wednesday. However, about 146 third-graders, or 15 percent of the students, will have to pass another test after a summer reading camp to be promoted to fourth grade. They scored in Level 1 or the lowest level of the assessment scale. Eighty-percent of the county's third-graders scored in Level 3 or above in math. Statewide, and last year in Highlands County, 76 percent had achieved that level. In FCAT reading, that number was 74 percent compared to last year's 70 percent and this year's state percentage of 72 percent. ...more

May 21, 2008

Of course, we are all supposed to be aghast at the allegations against Stephanie Ragusa, the middle school teacher who allegedly can't say "no" when it comes to playing show and tell with her students, but it sent some readers down memory lane. ...more

May 4, 2008

The Hernando County School Board is in for a marathon day of meetings, with numerous issues up for discussion today. ...more

February 19, 2008

A local teacher's family says she is getting fired from her job because of a back injury. ...more

February 16, 2008

There was nothing Juanita Looper couldn't teach. A former "Teacher Of The Year" for Brooksville's Eastside Elementary School, Looper, 55, was in her 30th year of teaching, after teaching every grade level. ...more

January 8, 2008

Workers in tomato fields, brightly colored fish and intricate seashells are among the student artwork chosen to grace a set of note cards being sold as a fundraiser for the Friends of SouthShore Library. ...more

December 15, 2007

Ayala Wasser, a 5-foot-5 junior guard at Tampa Prep, is the county's leading returning scorer after averaging 18.3 points last season. While she has enjoyed individual success, the Terrapins have struggled as a team. And while there is pressure being the No. 1 scoring option, she looks forward to the challenge of helping the team to a winning record this season. ...more

November 29, 2007

It's seems as though one opposing coach in Hillsborough County has Gaither coach Mark Kantor's number. The truth lies in the numbers. ...more

November 21, 2007

SEBRING — How many unexcused absences are too many? School Board Member Andy Tuck is alarmed at the nearly 7,700 unexcused absences district-wide in the first nine weeks of school. It's hard to hold teachers accountable when kids don't come to school, he said. Several students have already missed more than 10 days of school. Highlands County School District data shows 43 middle school students (1.5 percent) were absent 10 or more days during the first nine weeks of the school year. At the elementary level, 57 students (1 percent) were absent 10 or more days during the same time period, Aug. 20 through Oct. 24. At the high school level, only five students (one-tenth of 1 percent) were absent 10 or more days. ...more

November 9, 2007