Florida lawmakers weighing tuition price hike

| 12/3/2020

Florida lawmakers weighing tuition price hike

It’s been more than seven years since Florida Universities raised tuition. And this year lawmakers face a pandemic-induced 2.7 billion decline in revenue. At $6,370, university tuition in Florida, before fees, is the second-lowest in the nation. Only Wyoming charges less. “And so our product by any scale comparable is a fraction, in most cases, of other states, and its something we’ll have to look at,” said newly sworn-in Senate President Wilton Simpson. [Source: WCJB]

‘The rigor gap’ study suggests Florida students may be falling behind

A study examining students’ end-of-course exams and corresponding grades in the courses was formed by the Florida Council of 100, a non-profit and nonpartisan organization of business leaders that works to promote economic growth in Florida. The data show that students often perform poorly on these exams but pass the corresponding course with a good grade. This discrepancy translates into a term the council has coined: “the rigor gap.” [Source: NPR]

‘Campus carry’ issue for Florida colleges and universities re-emerges for 2021 legislative session

A long-debated proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on Florida college and university campuses was filed Monday for consideration during the 2021 legislative session. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, refiled the “campus carry” proposal (HB 6001), which did not receive a hearing during the 2019 and 2020 sessions. Similar measures were filed unsuccessfully by other gun-rights supporters in prior sessions. The proposals have drawn opposition from higher-education leaders. [Source: WUFT ]

Column: Florida Prepaid College Foundation calls on donors to ‘step into the gap’

The Florida Prepaid College Foundation, a not-for-profit division of the Florida Prepaid College Board, allows organizations to purchase tax-deductible Florida Prepaid College Plan scholarships and leverage Foundation funds and funds provided by the State of Florida for a dollar-for-dollar scholarship match. This allows donor and partner organizations to have a bigger impact within their community and to, ultimately, serve more students. Now more than ever, businesses and organizations, as well as private donors, have a chance to step into the gap and meet the needs of bright, young students who cannot afford to pursue higher education on their own. [Source: Lakeland Ledger ]

Florida’s COVID-19 spring education plan: No school closures, intervention for struggling virtual students

Families fearing they might have to send their children back to in-person classes despite their coronavirus concerns can rest easier. The Department of Education on Monday released a new emergency order for second semester that keeps live remote classes available as an option, along with the funding that allows school districts to provide the model. Schools would be expected to continue face-to-face classes, as the state previously required. More from the Tampa Bay Times, WKMG, and the Tallahassee Democrat.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› “Faces of FSCJ” video project highlights diversity, equity and inclusion efforts [FSCJ News]
Florida State College at Jacksonville’s (FSCJ) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has launched “Faces of FSCJ,” a video project featuring the stories of faculty, staff and students. Each video highlights an individual’s story and how their unique journey has made them who they are today, demonstrating the value of bringing all thoughts, ideas and perspectives together for a more cohesive and effective institution.

› Florida Poly launches state's first undergraduate health engineering program [Florida Trend]
Students with a love of STEM and an interest in health care can prepare for a career that prioritizes both with Florida Polytechnic University’s new Health Systems Engineering (HSE) program, which offers the only undergraduate-level concentration of its kind in the state.

› FIU will employ high-tech computer modeling to track Biscayne Bay’s pollution problems [Miami Herald]
It’s no mystery what has triggered the algae blooms, fish kills and sea grass die-offs that have troubled Biscayne Bay over the last few years. It’s pollution. But what pollution, how much and where is it coming from? Those are murky questions that may soon be cleared up with the help of a super high-tech computer modeling system run by Florida International University.

› Florida school board term limits proposed [WOFL]
Florida lawmakers in 2021 could again consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would impose eight-year term limits on county school board members. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, filed a measure (HJR 11) on Monday that would put a term-limits proposal on the 2022 ballot. The proposal is filed for the 2021 legislative session, which will start in March.

Tags: Education eNews

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