University performance funding set for changes

| 10/18/2018

University performance funding set for changes

Florida university leaders want to revise the system’s performance-funding model, looking to eliminate a dreaded “bottom three” that annually denies state money to the lowest-performing schools. In this academic year, Florida A&M University, the University of North Florida and New College of Florida missed out on shares of $265 million in state performance funding because they were ranked in the bottom three on a 100-point scale. More from WJXT and Florida Politics.

Florida Education Association elects new leadership

Frustrated by three years of failed attempts to fight legislative actions deemed unfriendly to teachers, Florida Education Association members on Friday ousted the group's leadership team in favor of challengers who pledged to "rebuild our power and start winning again." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Bethune-Cookman University interim president: School is in 'crisis' but not closing

Bethune-Cookman University is facing “an existential threat,” the interim president said Tuesday as he vowed to correct financial problems and guide the institution back into good standing with its accrediting organization. [Source: Orlando Sentinel ]

Florida superintendents association sets up account to help hurricane-hit school districts

Hurricane Michael blasted at least 10 north Florida school districts, razing some campuses and leaving others unusable. Seven districts — Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Jackson, Liberty and Washington — remain closed indefinitely, as leaders explore how they can get back to business. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.

FSCJ gets $2 million to help more students graduate

The Florida State College at Jacksonville recently won a $2 million federal grant which it will use to help students be more successful at completing their academic programs. FSCJ will receive the US Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions grant over five years. The idea is to help colleges better serve poor and other disadvantaged students. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Supreme Court details clash over education measure [Florida Politics]
After saying last month that it was blocking a controversial education measure from the November ballot, the Florida Supreme Court has released details of the ruling that show sharp differences about a proposal that one justice said would have brought a “monumental” change to the state Constitution.

› Central Florida college adjunct professors latest to unionize in Sunshine State [Florida Phoenix]
The statewide movement that has adjunct college and university professors forming new unions to fight for better pay and benefits grew a little Tuesday. Adjunct faculty at Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford voted to form a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Faculty Forward.

› UCF receives $8 million to improve math and special education teaching [Orlando Sentinel]
The University of Central Florida will receive more than $8 million in grants to improve math and special-needs instruction, two areas in which the state is experiencing a teacher shortage.

› UNF music mentors strike a cord with Jacksonville kids [Florida Times-Union]
Students from UNF’s School of Music mentor underserved youth in Jacksonville, teaching them various instruments as well as music theory and performance skills. The after-school enrichment program — a collaboration between the university and Don’t Miss A Beat Inc. — allows youngsters to explore and nurture their musical abilities ranging from classical to jazz.

Tags: Education eNews

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