Major education bill with testing changes sought by DeSantis at death's door

| 3/5/2020

Major education bill with testing changes sought by DeSantis at death’s door

With less than two weeks to go before the end of session, it’s the time of year when bills are dying in the Florida Legislature. Still, it’s unusual for a priority of the governor and the Department of Education to go quietly. But a major education package, Senate Bill 62, amended last-minute to contain 115 pages of education policy from other bills, was not voted on before the Senate Appropriations committee adjourned on Tuesday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

University of South Florida: Students studying abroad in Italy, Japan asked to return to U.S.

A semester in Japan and Italy is being cut short for University of South Florida students as the number of coronavirus cases increase. Seven students were studying in Florence, Italy during the spring semester and two students were in Japan. Now, the school is asking for them to return, said Adam Freeman, a USF spokesperson. [Source: WTVT]

Florida ranks #2 in student procrastination rates

The first week of March is National Procrastination week. High school students in Florida don't need a week, because it happens often with them. According to a study by Brainly, 82% of high school students procrastinate. Out of that 82 percent, 15 percent are from Florida, which is tied with California for the second highest rate of procrastination in the country. [Source: CBS-12]

High housing costs, low pay force Florida teachers to stretch limits

In the first analysis of its kind, USA TODAY Network reporters examined salaries and housing costs for teachers all over Florida. Reporters obtained salary data from nearly all 67 school districts and compared median teacher income to median rental costs. In nearly every corner of the state, teachers spend more than a third of their monthly income on housing costs. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune ]

Big payday for USF’s new cybersecurity leader. But no national search.

Cyber Florida’s new executive director, J. Michael “Mike” McConnell, will make $450,000 a year. As the leader of the state-funded cybersecurity center housed at the University of South Florida, he’ll make more than twice what his predecessor made. McConnell will also only be required to work on the Tampa campus two days a month, too. The retired 76-year-old Navy vice admiral will mainly work in Washington D.C., where he lives. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Presidential search underway at Aspen Prize-winning Indian River State College [Florida Trend]
Aspen Prize-winning Indian River State College (IRSC), a comprehensive college serving some 30,000 students annually, is seeking applications/nominations for its next president. The new president will replace Dr. Edwin Massey, the longest-serving president in the Florida College System, who has served the institution with high distinction since 1973, including 31 years as president.

› Bacardi USA donates $5 million to Florida International University [Florida Trend]
Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management has announced a $5 million gift from Bacardi USA dedicated to a new and unique educational program tailored for the spirits industry. The gift will create the Bacardi Center of Excellence, which will position the top-ranked school as a leader in beverage management education and partner with one of the world's most historic and leading spirits companies.

› Pensacola students prepare for in demand aviation jobs [WEAR]
Aviation maintenance students at George Stone Technical College are in a good position. An entire class was offered jobs at ST Engineering, the airplane maintenance and repair company. The job offers come after last months announcement that the company was expanding at the Pensacola International Airport, bringing approximately 1,300 jobs.

› 7 UCF president candidates invited to campus Thursday [Orlando Sentinel]
Seven academics who have applied to become UCF’s next president will be invited to campus Thursday for hour-long interviews, the first time the public will hear from candidates for the post. An advisory committee met Tuesday, narrowing the field of 45 people who applied to succeed former President Dale Whittaker, who resigned a year ago during a controversy over the school’s construction spending.

Tags: Education eNews

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