Florida's law allowing compensation for student athletes may be expanded

| 1/5/2023

Florida's law allowing compensation for student athletes may be expanded

A measure filed Tuesday by a House Republican seeks to allow colleges, universities and their employees to steer endorsement opportunities toward student-athletes. The bill (HB 99) was filed for the 2023 legislative session, which will begin in March. The proposal would make a major change to Florida’s athlete-pay law, commonly known as a name, image and likeness law, which went into effect in July 2021. More from the News Service of Florida and WFLA.

New Florida law could limit the access to a variety of books in the classroom

A memo sent to Florida school superintendents from Department of education senior chancellor Jacob Oliva outlines a new training requirement for anyone involved in the selection of library materials. The requirement went into effect on January first. Educators and parents alike are worried the bill will make it difficult for students to have access to a variety of books in the classroom. [Source: WTXL]

Here's where your Florida county ranks when it comes to child health and education

A new report from the Florida Policy Institute shows the state has not made much progress when it comes to improving outcomes for children's health and education. The 2022 Florida Child Well-Being Index, which ranks the 67 counties based on data from the national Kids Count project, said St. John's County was best, and Madison County was worst. [Source: WUSF]

U.S. appeals court upholds Florida high school's transgender bathroom ban

A new ruling for the new year – the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled one Florida school did not violate the U.S. Constitution when it said students are only allowed to use the bathroom corresponding to their biological sex. This lawsuit dates back to 2017, when a transgender male student tried to use the bathroom as a male – he later sued to say he should be allowed to use that bathroom – especially after changing identification documents to reflect his transition. [Source: CBS 12]

Florida ranked No. 1 in the nation for parent involvement in kids' education

When it comes to parents' involvement in their children's education in public and charter schools, Florida is No. 1, according to the Center for Education Reform's Parent Power! Index report for 2022. The distinction for Florida’s 69 school districts is the first for the state since the Index debuted in 1999. The Center’s report, which ranks the No. 1 state in the nation for parent empowerment, was released by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. [Source: Islander News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› South Florida high school offers Esports program for online gaming students [WSVN]
One South Florida high school is creating a digital space for its students that are not interested in physical sports, turning a love for video games into college scholarships and career opportunities. Playing video games has evolved. Matthew Moreno is a sophomore at Christopher Columbus High School and he cannot believe the time he gets to spend in the school’s room dedicated to online gamers.

› Florida education official Jacob Oliva tapped to lead Arkansas education agency [WUSF]
Incoming Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday named a top Florida schools official as her pick to lead the state's education agency, the latest signal of the direction of the Republican's nascent administration. Sanders tapped Jacob Oliva, a senior chancellor at the Florida Department of Education, to serve as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education. She said she'll also seek to have the State Board of Education appoint Oliva as the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

› Sarasota teacher: Cultivating a love of historical literacy and learning [Sarasota Herald Tribune]
When Dr. Jennifer Jaso tells people she teaches middle school, most people respond the same way: “Wow. Thank goodness for you.” The Sarasota Middle School history and critical thinking teacher has taught for 17 years, most of those grades six through eight. She loves it. Last fall, Jaso’s peers at Sarasota Middle School distinguished her as Teacher of the Year.

› PTA leaders raise concerns as Hillsborough explores new school boundaries [Tampa Bay Times]
A plan to redraw attendance boundaries for Hillsborough County public schools lacks transparency and public dialogue, according to a parent organization that is pushing for change. The County Council of PTA/PTSA, which represents parent groups around the school district, says information released last month online does not offer enough detail about transportation, cost savings, and what the district would do with schools that it might close or “repurpose.”

Tags: Education eNews

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