The U.S. Department of Education today approved Florida’s request for a flexibility waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Florida was one of 11 states asking for flexibility with regard to accountability standards mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation implemented in 2001. The state requested the waiver to be able to move to a single statewide accountability system that would eliminate duplicative regulation and make Florida’s system easier to understand.

Please help the School District of Clay County in congratulating this year’s Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year!  The winners were announced Tuesday evening at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts during a ceremony to honor all Clay County Teachers and Employees of the Year.

ORANGE PARK, Fla -- An Argyle Elementary teacher is using a furry friend to keep kindergarteners focused on learning.

Angel is Terry Runte's special assistant of four years, and she earns her place at Argyle Elementary.

"It's not just bringing a pet to work," Runte explains.

The hypoallergenic pup's full-time job started with visits.

"I started seeing amazing things happen," Runte recalled, like crayons in their cups instead of on the floor. "Because I said, you can't leave them down there, she'll eat them! So they started picking them up. And if the children would run in the room, she would bark [and I'd tell them], 'Ah ha! She got you!'"

Runte saw her students respond to Angel. They enjoyed reading to her and writing letters to her when she wasn't visiting.

The veteran teacher knew the relationship was something special and quickly took the next step: getting Angel certified as a R.E.A.D. Program Reading Education Assistance Dog.