Digest

2 settle abuse cases involving a priest

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 28, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE

Two men who claimed a retired Catholic priest abused them years ago settled their civil cases this week. The amount of the settlement wasn't revealed.

One of the men said the Rev. Neil Doherty drugged and raped him numerous times at a rectory beginning when he was 11. The second said he was sexually abused twice, but not drugged.

TALLAHASSEE

Schools get mixed grades from group

Florida got a B for teacher evaluation and compensation Wednesday from a Washington, D.C., group that likes the state's use of student test scores, teacher assessments and merit pay.

The National Council on Teacher Quality gave Florida a C in four other areas and an F in preparing special-education teachers.

The report got a cool reception from the Florida Education Department, which said it has factual errors, and the Florida Education Association, which suggested the council has a conservative political agenda.

[Last modified June 28, 2007, 00:24:58]