Florida may become first state to accept a 'classical' alternative to the SAT and ACT

| 8/3/2023

Florida may become first state to accept a 'classical' alternative to the SAT and ACT

A new college entrance exam that has become popular among Christian schools and conservative political groups may soon expand its footprint to include Florida’s public universities — following a boost from the DeSantis administration. The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s public universities, is expected to vote at its August meeting on whether to accept Classic Learning Test scores for admissions, in addition to the SAT and the ACT. If the board approves it, Florida would become the first public university system in the country to accept the test. [Source: NBC News]

Black lawmakers seek changes to Florida education standards

Members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus are asking state education officials to revise new African-American history standards that were approved last week. The standards have drawn criticism from the White House and prompted a defense from Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state Board of Education gave the new standards, designed to guide lessons from kindergarten through high school, the green light on July 19. [Source: WUSF]

Will Florida high schools offer AP psychology? It’s a definite maybe.

Close to 30,000 Florida high school students are registered for the Advanced Placement psychology course in the coming school year. Whether they’ll get to take it remains to be seen. Officials from districts throughout Florida said they were confused about the course status because of state-level actions that appeared to conflict. [Source: Tama Bay Times]

Students with 'math deficiency' eyed

The state Department of Education is proposing a rule that would help determine when students have a “substantial math deficiency,” which could lead to needing such things as individual education plans. The proposal, published Monday by the department, would apply to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Under the proposal, students who meet certain criteria would be deemed to have a substantial math deficiency. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Most Florida school district budget hearings go quietly. Not in Sarasota.

It’s budget season for Florida school districts, with boards across the state adopting their tentative millage rates and spending plans. In many counties, including Pinellas and Pasco, the adoption goes largely unchallenged. Few members of the public speak at hearings or raise questions about how the millions of dollars are to be used. It went differently in Sarasota this week. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Interim New College President Richard Corcoran finalist to fill job permanently [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Interim New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran, a close ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, is among three finalists to fill the job permanently. New College's presidential search committee picked Corcoran, University of Central Florida professor Tyler Fisher and former college president Robert Gervasi as the finalists and submitted their names to the college's board of trustees for consideration in an accelerated search process.

› 32 schools in Alachua County will provide free meals regardless of income [Gainesville Sun]
Free meals for students in Alachua County will continue at 32 local schools, including some charter schools, that have been designated as federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) sites for the 2023-2024 school year, the district announced Wednesday. The program allows high-poverty schools and school districts in areas of low income to serve meals at no cost.

› Florida teachers can visit this Orlando museum for free all school year [WFTV]
Teachers are about to begin a new school year, and an Orlando museum will offer free admission to appreciate their hard work. The Museum of Illusions Orlando at ICON Park combines education and entertainment with optical illusions using math, science and psychology. Active Florida teachers and professors can receive a complimentary ticket by showing their valid school ID and email address.

› Broward teachers will soon earn more. Here’s the latest as board increases taxes and agrees to cuts. [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Broward teachers will soon earn more and homeowners will soon pay more, under a tentative budget approved Tuesday night. The annual public budget hearing is usually a quick and routine meeting, but Tuesday’s meeting to approve the $3.1 billion budget lasted nearly four hours, as board members debated possible cuts, numerous teachers pleaded for more money and the board’s three conservative members fought unsuccessfully to lower the proposed tax rate.

Tags: Education eNews

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