Florida universities recognized for online programs, Embry-Riddle tops for bachelor's degree

| 1/17/2019

Florida universities recognized for online programs, Embry-Riddle tops for bachelor's degree

Several Florida universities were recognized in the most recent U.S. News and World Report rankings of online programs, including Daytona Beach-based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has the top bachelor's degree program, according to the publication. See the announcement from U.S. News & World Report and read more at Florida Trend and the Orlando Sentinel.

Student loan debt is growing faster in Florida than any other state

College students in the Sunshine State are racking up debt to pay for school at a higher rate than anywhere else in the country, a recent study found. Student loan debt in Florida ballooned 35 percent to $89.4 billion between the third quarter of 2015 and the same period in 2018, according to estimates from the credit rating agency Experian. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida's university researchers get nervous as federal shutdown drags on

While financial aid questions appear largely resolved for students and parents, there's mounting anxiety among research directors at Florida universities as the partial federal shutdown drags on. Research universities across the country are expressing concerns about future funding proposals and the impact of a long-term shutdown. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Florida science, english, math teachers in short supply

The State Board of Education is expected to approve a report that details a shortage of certified science, English and math teachers in Florida’s public schools. The annual report points to issues such as a scarcity of certified teachers in subject areas such as general science, physics and chemistry when compared to fields such as elementary education. More from the Daily Commercial and the Orlando Sentinel.

Education bills continue to mount as Florida legislative session nears

Every year, Florida lawmakers create their legislative wish list of things they’d like to see happening in the state’s public schools. With committee meetings already under way, several senators and representatives have filed their bills seeking to do anything from increase the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 (SB 152), to require public schools to offer elective Bible courses (HB 195). [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida Tech president elected to Colleges Commission Board [Florida Trend]
Florida Tech President Dwayne McCay has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). McCay has served at Florida Tech as provost and chief academic officer, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and, since July 2016, as president.

› Florida's new education commissioner to make $276,000 a year [AP]
Florida's newly hired education commissioner is getting paid nearly $300,000. State records show that former House Speaker Richard Corcoran is getting paid $276,000. That's the same amount that former Commissioner Pam Stewart was paid.

› Three Broward school administrators could get big raises for temporary jobs [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Three Broward school administrators could get huge raises to temporarily fill vacant jobs, even though two don’t meet the minimum job requirements. The district’s handbook says employees in these jobs “may be eligible for additional compensation in the form of a supplement for the duration of the assignment,” but doesn’t say how much.

› Florida Southwestern State College opens its fifth Southwest Florida location [Pine Island Eagle]
On Monday morning, Florida Southwestern State College opened its fifth location in Southwest Florida. The brand new Bonita Springs location will host a Corporate Training Center, providing a centralized location for FSW's corporate training initiatives that are funded through Florida workforce grants.

Tags: Education eNews

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