These are the Florida education bills that will become law on July 1

| 6/29/2023

These are the Florida education bills that will become law on July 1

Several laws restricting what can be taught in Florida classrooms and how students can conduct themselves will take effect on Saturday. K-12 students will be required to use bathrooms and pronouns that align with the gender they were assigned at birth starting July 1. Also, teachers won’t be able to discuss gender and sexuality in class, parents will be able to opt kids out of sex-ed and more easily challenge books, and every family will qualify for a voucher to attend a private or charter school. [Source: WUSF]

Florida pauses out-of-state tuition proposal, says 'more work needed'

Florida higher-education officials have put on hold a request by university presidents to raise tuition for out-of-state students, hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis touted efforts to avoid tuition hikes over the past decade. The state university system’s Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s network of 12 universities, was slated to weigh approval of a plan that would allow schools to individually raise tuition by up to 15 percent for students who come from other states. [Source: WGCU]

Florida education leaders release rules regarding TikTok and adult performances

The state Department of Education on Tuesday released a series of proposed rules that would outline restrictions on “adult live performances” at field trips, prohibit school districts from using the social-media app TikTok and allow parents to control “any deviation from their child’s legal name” in schools. [Source: WJCT]

Who will lead Florida’s 3rd largest school district? A top choice emerges.

The Hillsborough County school district might already have its next superintendent in sight. The School Board on Tuesday named longtime teacher and administrator Van Ayres as interim superintendent, effective immediately. If he does well enough over the next three months, the board will consider calling off any planned search and keeping Ayres in the position permanently. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» Hillsborough School Board speeds transition to Van Ayres as superintendent

Federal judge refuses to block law restricting Florida teacher unions

A federal judge Monday refused to block key parts of a new Florida law that places additional restrictions on public-employee unions, turning down a request from teachers unions that argue the law violates First Amendment and contract rights. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker declined to issue a preliminary injunction, ruling that the Florida Education Association and other unions had not shown they had legal standing. The 12-page ruling came after Walker held a more than three-hour hearing Friday. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami-Dade School Board OKs first step toward classical education model in elementary schools [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade County Schools on Wednesday gave the OK to “explore the feasibility” of offering a classical education curriculum, potentially bringing the politically tinged education model — which has been championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservatives — to the state’s largest school district.

› UWF received whopping $131M in Florida budget. Here’s how the money will be spent. [Pensacola News Journal]
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed off on a state budget that includes a total base budget of $93.2 million for the university — roughly a $20 million increase from last year — as well as close to $40 million in funds to expand UWF programs and facilities.

› Valencia College, UCF get funds to boost student success with new program [Orlando Business Journal]
The University of Central Florida and Valencia College are expanding a pilot program thanks in part to a $1.3 million grant from a national education group. The university and state college received funds from the Phoenix-based Helios Education Foundation tied to efforts to boost the success of transfer students. Through the UCF/Valencia Improving Student Success Task Force, the program will provide Valencia students in the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 semesters with stipends if they hit certain milestones tied to transfer education.

› Sarasota-Manatee educational foundation receives $30,000 grant [Business Observer]
An educational-driven foundation that serves youth in Sarasota and Manatee counties was the recipient of a $30,000 grant from Bank of America. Gamma Xi Boulé, designed to promote educational excellence while also providing youth development programs for underserved children, received the funding June 1, according to a statement. The nonprofit is based in Bradenton, though its reach extends into both Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Tags: Education eNews

Previous Education Updates:

A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal

FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools

Florida home values have more than doubled in the past decade

Florida invests $850 million to advance Everglades restoration