FCAT Passing Scores Lowered; What's Your Take?

The passing grade for Florida's standardized writing test has been lowered by an emergency rule, keeping the failure rate basically unchanged, TBO.com reports.

Was this the right call? What are your thoughts on the FCAT? Post your comment below. The passing grade for Florida's standardized writing test has been lowered thanks to an emergency rule instituted Tuesday, keeping the failure rate basically unchanged from a year ago, TBO.com reports. "The State Board of Education unanimously passed the rule today after preliminary results showed only about a third of students would pass this year," according to TBO's story. That would have been down from 80 percent or better on last year's writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), TBO reports, a decrease that came after the test was made more difficult. The FCAT writing test is taken by 4th-, 8th- and 10th-graders. Read more …

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Deborah Bostock-Kelley

9:46 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012

Brilliantly spoken, Gayle.   more ›

Teacher's Aide Arrested for Sex Acts With Student

Authorities allege that the teacher's aide conducted a 7-month relationship with a 16-year-old student at Hamilton Disston School in Gulfport.

A woman who worked as a teacher's aide was arrested and charged with unlawful sexual activity after carrying on a 7-month relationship with a 16-year-old student at Hamilton Disston School in Gulfport, athorities say. Rumors surfaced about a relationship between Artia Patrice Davis, 30, of Clearwater and a disabled student at the school, prompting an investigation by Pinellas County Schools and Child Protection Investigations, according to Clearwater Police. Amid the inquiry, Davis resigned from her job as a teacher's aide in March, officials said. On Monday, as part of the investigation, officers went to Davis' Highland Avenue apartment and found the victim in her bed. Davis was arrested and charged with unlawful sexual activity with a …

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Cherlene Willis

3:59 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Thank you La Lania. Our goal is to be your resource for news, information and events in Gulfport. - Cherlene   more ›

Bucs Give Needy St. Petersburg Worker New Car

Diana Rose walked outside her office Monday to greetings from Bucs players and cheerleaders. She also got a new Ford Focus.

Diana Rose is a role model to her family and community. The single mother of four lives in Clearwater and works for the State of Florida in downtown St. Petersburg as a public assistance eligibility specialist for the Department of Children and Families. She helps those in need, whether with funds for food or Medicare. Where does Rose find the time and energy for her compassionate determination to help others? She also volunteers at her children's schools. She is a student mentor at Clearwater High School, and a math tutor at Bellair Elementary School. Rose also has developed a poetry lesson plan at Largo Middle School. Rose can relate to some of the citizens she helps. Though Rose has a car, she confesses it is unreliable. For four years …

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School News

Winning Streak Continues for Boca Ciega Girls Flag Football

The Boca Ciega High School Girls' Flag Football team is proving to be unstoppable as they head into a game tonight against Northeast High School, the team they beat 31-25 in triple overtime on March 22.

The Boca Ciega High School Girls Flag Football team is going head to head with perhaps their toughest competitor, Northeast, tonight at 7 at Gibbs High School. The team is currently 12-0, with an undefeated season and PCAC Championship title under their belts. The last time that the girls faced Northeast, they won with a score of 31-25 in triple overtime. The team's 12-0 record also includes a big win at the PCAC Championship game this past Friday. The team won 52-0 against Seminole High School. Coach Lauren Widener writes, "Boca Ciega High School at the time was 10-0 and Seminole High School was 8-2. It was the first place team in the South playing the first place team in the North!" Quarterback Liz Hill threw seven touchdowns and scored …

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FCATs: How Are Kids Handling Pressure?

The annual FCAT gets under way. Are your kids feeling the pressure?

Every day, people in our 19 Tampa Bay Patch communities talk to one another, exploring issues through the lens of their neighborhood. But some  of the "back fence" issues are big enough that we all can benefit from a broader discussion. One issue that's been getting attention in many communities is the start of today’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Testing. With students in grades three through 10 pulling out their No. 2 pencils today, we’re hearing reports of youngsters cracking under the pressure. Some parents are reporting children who cried themselves to sleep last night. Others are saying their children are taking everything with a grain of salt. We’d like to know what you think about the FCATs. The tests start today and wrap up …

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Undefeated Season for Boca Ciega Girls Flag Football

The Boca Ciega High School Girls JV and Varsity teams ended their regular season with a perfect record. The Varsity team is now 11th in the state and will go on to play in a PCAC Championship game on Friday, April 20.

Congratulations to the Boca Ciega High School Girls Flag Football team for making history this week. The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams both won all of their season games this year, a first in the school's history. Coach Lauren Widener says highlights include the win against Northeast High School in three over time's with a score of 31 to 25 and their come back against Dixie Hollins High School 26 to 20, "after they led by 13 points in the first quarter." Widener also includes their win over Tarpon Springs of 42 to 0 among the season's best moments but stresses that the greatest part of this season was the teamwork and camaraderie displayed between the girls. "Watching the girls mature and grow as a team and finish the season playing as …

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Annual Torch Run Takes Off

Gulfport police took part in the yearly run by helping carry the torch more than 4 miles along the route.

Special Olympics Florida has a yearly ritual of routing a path for law enforcement officers and supporters to run. In light of the upcoming summer competition, everyone, from chiefs to cadets, is encouraged to take part in the supportive act.  This year's path started at St. Pete Police headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. The torch, also know as the Flame of Hope, was lit just moments before the first leg of the run began.  The first crew completed a four mile course that ended at New Heights Elementary school. Youths from the school cheered and rallied for the group as they passed. From there, the second leg, including members of the Gulfport Police Department and volunteers, picked up and continued on to US-19 where they ended at …

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School News

Boca Ciega Girls Flag Football Team Undefeated

The Boca Ciega High School Girls Varsity Flag Football team beat Northeast High School in triple overtime, holding their undefeated title.

Two undefeated girls flag football teams went head to head on Thursday, March 22. Northeast and Boca Ciega battled into triple overtime. According to Bay News 9, Seniors Liz Hill and Jakera Allen won the game with a short pass in the middle of the field. The Pirates ended on top with 31-25. The win is paramount as the team beats another undefeated district team and keeps their undefeated title. They are now 6-0. View highlights and reaction from the game on Bay News 9. Varsity Flag Football 6-0 JV Flag Football 3-0 According to the Boca Ciega High School website, JV and Varsity teams play next on Tuesday, April 3 at St. Pete High School at 6:30 p.m.

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Art Walk Fundraiser From the Heart

A third-grade class at Gulfport Elementary helped raise more than $3,000 at the last downtown Art Walk; students hope to keep their momentum going at tonight's event.

Art for a Cause While you're out and about at the Third Saturday Art Walk look for the booth surrounded by talented and rambunctious children, at Beach and Shore Boulevard in Gulfport. Gulfport Elementary teacher Betsy Kinsely and several third-grade students, friends, family and coworkers will be at the event tonight selling handmade and donated art pieces to help raise money for third grade teacher Beth Myers. Myers was diagnosed with plasma cancer in October 2011 and has been in Arkansas for medical services. Her students missed her and wanted to help. About 4 to 6 weeks ago the third-graders at Gulfport Elementary came up with the idea to create and sell art to help raise money for her. We stopped by their busy booth on March 2 during …

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