I owe a lot to Elijah. The 17-year-old high school dropout came to the center where I tutor to try and earn his GED. Quiet, respectful and struggling, he was my student and we worked together on reading comprehension. ...more

March 25, 2009

With nearly one in three high school students nationwide dropping out before graduating, the Florida Department of Education will be holding a two-day summit this month to develop plans to reduce the nation's high school dropout rate and better prepare students for college, work and life. ...more

January 5, 2009

As a teenager, this man once spent his nights prowling the swamps of Florida in search of snakes and raccoons. ...more

December 31, 2008

As a teenager, this man once spent his nights prowling the swamps of Florida in search of snakes and raccoons. ...more

December 31, 2008

In the early 1950s, no one could have pegged Wayne Cobb for someone who would eventually hold a Pasco Circuit Court judgeship for more than three decades. In a few days, however, the 72-year-old will retire from that very position, ending his run as the county's longest serving jurist at nearly 32 years. ...more

December 30, 2008

While the statewide graduation rate improved significantly in 2007-08 compared to the previous year, Highlands County's public school graduation rate dropped. ...more

November 20, 2008

When Gaye Lamar had her second miscarriage three months ago, she didn't think about all the reasons why. ...more

September 28, 2008

Among my saddest moments as a career counselor is when I hear a story like this: "I wasn't a good student in high school, but I wanted to prove that I can get a college diploma. I'd be the first one in my family to do it. But it's been five years and $80,000, and I still have 45 credits to go." ...more

May 11, 2008

So I'm sitting through my final round at a speech and debate tournament thinking, "If I hear one more speech about the problem with America, I am going to nose-dive into an inescapable depression and become a 17-year-old alcoholic." ...more

January 16, 2008

A West Pasco pre-school receives a visit from elected leaders out boosting pre-K education. ...more

November 27, 2007