Florida risks losing $1.1 billion in federal funds over ESSA spat

| 7/26/2018

Florida risks losing $1.1 billion in federal funds over ESSA spat

A months-long standoff now leaves Florida at risk of losing more than $1.1 billion if its Every Student Succeeds Act plan isn't approved in the coming weeks. Without the approval of its plan, the state faces several sanctions, including potentially the federal government witholding the money from the state. [Source: Education Week]

State colleges qualify for performance funding

Florida’s 28 state colleges will receive $60 million in performance funding during the academic year that started this month. The Florida College System announced last week that $30 million in state performance funding will be distributed to 23 schools, with five schools not qualifying for the state money. [Source: Ocala Star-Banner]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Quick riser: Saint Leo University's provost makes a quick leap to president

Just four months after he was hired to be Saint Leo University’s first provost, Jeffrey D. Senese became the Catholic university’s acting president following William J. Lennox’s retirement in April. Senese came to Saint Leo from Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin, where he was provost. Full story here. (This article is part of a business news roundup for Southwest Florida.)

Florida boy graduates from college at 11 years old

He can't vote. He's not even old enough to drive. But William Maillis already has a college degree. William, 11, walked across a stage Saturday to receive his Associate in Arts degree from St. Petersburg College in Florida. More from the Tampa Bay Times and CNN.

Hundreds of Florida teachers out of jobs after failing state test, despite 'effective' evaluations

At least 920 Florida teachers are being terminated this summer because they can't pass a portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam also known as the FTCE licensing exam. The battery of tests which include a variety of subject area exams and general knowledge tests are a must-pass for anyone who wants to teach in Florida. [Source: WFTS]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Santa Fe College earns highest grade from state [WCJB]
Santa Fe College earned the 'Gold performance rating for the state of Florida for this past school year. The rating is the highest mark possible and is base on a schools graduation, retention and job placement rates.

› Florida TaxWatch presses for focus on school leadership, role of principals [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida TaxWatch, the non-profit that calls out legislative "turkey" spending each year, is promoting an education agenda that would focus on the important role that school principals play in academic success.

› Florida students will have to report if they’ve accessed mental health services [WJHG]
In addition to increasing funding for mental health screenings, part of a new law requires school districts to ask students to report if they’ve ever received mental health services.

› After years of steering clear, UF poised to study hemp [Gainesville Sun]
The University of Florida used to have a hands-off approach to Cannabis sativa, the plant cultivated for recreational and medical marijuana. But the Florida Legislature changed that last year, when it authorized state land-grant universities (UF and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) to begin researching industrial hemp, another product of the plant.

Tags: Education eNews

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