ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donna Winchester
My background story
What I did before joining Step Up For Students
What do I do on my day off?
How to reach out?
05/21/20 | Donna Winchester
Five graduating seniors at Miami private school share memories, dreams
Family. Opportunity. Gratitude. These are the words on the minds of a handful of South Florida students standing on the threshold of adulthood. On June 2, the five seniors –...
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09/12/19 | Donna Winchester
‘No excuses’ charter school network’s migration to Tampa Bay gets a jumpstart
IDEA Public Schools’ goal to expand to the Tampa Bay area got a boost this week with the pledge of a $5 million gift from the Vinik Family Foundation. The...
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09/10/19 | Donna Winchester
SUFS president Doug Tuthill: ‘Get serious about this equity conversation’
In a recent interview with WFSU Public Media news director Lynn Hatter, Step Up For Students president Doug Tuthill spoke about his first-hand experience with segregation as a student in...
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08/30/19 | Donna Winchester
Don’t know much about charter schools
Editor’s note: Continuing our review of the latest Education Next annual survey, redefinED looks today at the public’s knowledge level – or lack thereof – of charter schools. Based on...
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08/29/19 | Donna Winchester
2019 EdNext poll: vouchers, tax credits and charter schools
Editor’s note: On Wednesday, redefinED reported on one aspect of Education Next’s latest survey of public opinion – the extent to which the public underestimates the amount of money spent...
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06/21/19 | Donna Winchester
Jeb Bush’s A+ Plan anniversary: 20 years to the day
“I think we’re in for a renaissance in public education.” With these words, Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law on June 21, 1999, a bill that set in motion his...
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06/15/19 | Donna Winchester
From rebellious to role model, thanks to a Florida charter school
Editor’s note: This month, redefinED is revisiting stories that shine a light on extraordinary students. Today’s spotlight, first published in December 2017, tells the story of a feisty Orlando teen who evolved...
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03/25/19 | Donna Winchester
Charter school students continue to outperform peers in traditional public schools
Students in Florida charter schools are outperforming their peers in traditional schools in nearly every category according to the Florida Department of Education’s annual charter school performance report, released today....
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02/18/19 | Donna Winchester
A mother’s plea for education choice
Editor’s note: This is a transcript of the moving speech Shareka Wright gave at Gov. Ron DeSantis’s education scholarship event at Calvary City Christian Academy & Preschool Feb. 15 in...
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01/23/19 | Donna Winchester
New school choice group launches to advocate for children and families
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new organization aimed at ensuring families can choose the best education environment for their children launched today with an announcement from the group’s founder and chairwoman....
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01/19/19 | Donna Winchester
Poll shows increase in number of likely voters who support education choice
A national poll conducted by the American Federation for Children shows that support for school choice stands at 67 percent, a 4 percentage-point increase from a year ago. The poll...
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07/23/18 | Donna Winchester
For Daniel, a school on his wavelength
TAMPA – To challenge students in his first-period social studies class, professional animator-turned-educator Nick Gallo-Lopez asked them to imagine being trapped in a maze of mirrors inhabited by a...
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04/23/18 | Donna Winchester
From shy to self-confident, with a charter school’s help
JACKSONVILLE – Dana Roberts had high hopes for her 5-year-old son, DJ, as she readied him for his first day of pre-school. Remembering her own pleasant school experience, she expected...
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03/06/18 | Donna Winchester
‘Nerd central’ charter school propels student to MIT
ORLANDO – The invitation to visit central Florida’s newest charter school landed in Dawn and John Chaney’s mailbox at exactly the right moment. It was the spring of 2010, and...
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