Gerard Robinson Quits, Florida Schools Chief Job Opens

The Florida Department of Education homepage encourages visitors to check out the latest from Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson, who "is blogging about all sorts of things relating to education in the Sunshine State."

One thing that wasn't on the blog as of late last night was any mention of the Florida school chief's "unexpected" resignation earlier that day, July 31, for reasons reportedly given as the hardship of "living far away from my family," according to an Orlando Sentinel news report.

The report notes that Robinson's departure is effective Aug. 31, ten days after the first day of classes for Hillsborough County public schools.

Robinson, 44, was hired by the Florida State Board of Education in June 2011, in a move supported by Gov. Rick Scott. Prior to coming to Florida, Robinson was the secretary of education in Virginia, where his wife and two daughters remained.

The Orlando Sentinel report, written by Leslie Postal, and posted 8:45 p.m. July 31, delves deeper into family issues that reportedly factored into the decision, including that his wife had tenure as a law professor at the University of Richmond.

The article gives an overview as well on the strong criticism from local educators in recent months concerning the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). It cites Kathleen Shanahan, chairman of the state board of education, as saying "she did not think that had any bearing on Robinson's departure." 

• For more from the Orlando Sentinel, read Education Commissioner Robinson Resigns Unexpectedly.