Florida Supreme Court rejects districts' challenge to charter school law

| 4/9/2020

Florida Supreme Court rejects districts’ challenge to charter school law

Nine Florida school districts have lost their final legal effort to overturn a controversial 2017 law they contended wrested away some of their constitutionally authorized local control. In a unanimous decision, which included no explanation, the state Supreme Court stated Tuesday it would not take up the districts’ appeal of two lower courts’ rulings that HB 7069 was constitutional. It will not consider the matter for rehearing. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Daily Business Review.

Students to take AP exams at home, but will Florida universities grant college credits for passing scores?

Amid concerns about COVID-19 infections, Florida high school students in Advanced Placement classes will take the exams in their homes using electronic devices, such as computers, tablets and smartphones. The College Board offers at least three dozen AP exams ranging from U.S. History to chemistry, macroeconomics and Spanish language and culture. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Opinion: Teachers, parents, education leaders are all stepping up during our crisis

In recent years, teachers have unfairly suffered a culture that does not recognize their worth. As we see their response to this crisis, I think everyone can now agree that teachers are an integral part of the machine that drives our society. These men and women have embraced their virtual classrooms with a passion and dedication that only teachers possess. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press ]

Florida Prepaid deferring college education payments until July

During this time of economic uncertainty for many due to the coronavirus outbreak, help is coming to those paying ahead for their children’s college education. Florida Prepaid announced Monday it is deferring required payments for April, May and June to help families with financial flexibility, the company said in an email. The deferred payments apply to those who recently purchased plans in 2020 as well as all of those from prior years. [Source: Click Orlando ]

Florida universities making face shields for healthcare workers

With healthcare workers across the state and nation needing face shields as they help with the coronavirus crisis, universities across the Sunshine State are trying to help them. The University of West Florida (UWF) is having one of its direct support organizations make face shields through its Sea3D Additive Manufacturing Laboratory in Pensacola. They expect to start distributing them on Tuesday. [Source: Florida Daily]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FSU is a top 20 public university, but what else is it "top 20" in? [Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida State University made big waves when the news of their ranking in the U.S. News and World Report’s Top Public Schools list had them tied for 18th with Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University and the University of Pittsburgh. The university has touted this accomplishment since its release in Sep. 2019, but this was only one ranking list in one publication.

› Alaska enrolls students in Florida-based virtual school [AP]
The state of Alaska signed a $525,000 contract through February 2021 with the Florida Virtual School, which had enrolled about 80 Alaska students by Friday, Alaska’s Energy Desk reported. “The ‘fourth-quarter solution’ that is suggested through the purchase of this Florida version of distance delivery is seen as an insult to most, if not all, teachers in the state who have been supporting their students,” Juneau Schools Superintendent Bridget Weiss said.

› Taking attendance: Not always easy when Florida schools are online. [Tampa Bay Times]
Some parents were quick to note that factors beyond their control could make it impossible to meet stringent attendance demands— like interrupted or absent internet service and not enough computers for everyone in a household. How can two siblings log in to different classes at the same time if they have one device between them, for instance?

› UCF hosts virtual camp for global coding competition [Ed Scoop]
The University of Central Florida brought together more than 100 students from nearly 30 institutions — virtually — to train for this year’s International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals. UCF’s four-day event, which was held from March 30 to April 3, offered students simulated competitions and feedback from “trainers” from the private sector and universities.

Tags: Education eNews

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