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Florida Trend Education
Florida sees surge of parents choosing to homeschool their children
Florida sees surge of parents choosing to homeschool their children
As students and their parents around Central Florida are adjusting to being back in the classroom, more families are taking a different approach to education. There is a rise in homeschooling in Florida and most of the country. Now there is a new trend that’s bringing many homeschooled students together. [Source: WFTV]
Unelected education boards set rules that reach beyond Florida law
After Florida lawmakers create new statutory requirements impacting education, unelected boards appointed by the Governor’s Office have the responsibility of implementing them. Those boards lately have taken to imposing rules that go beyond the strictures set by the Legislature. This week, the board is set to adopt a rule that would not include some parents in the ability to appeal a school board’s decision on challenged books, unlike what the law states. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Optics tech training
Valencia College is launching a 15-week accelerated training program in September to meet growing demand for skilled precision optics and photonics technicians in Central Florida. The program will train students in optical fabrication — the process of producing lenses for industrial and military devices, equipment and systems — and optical assembly of lenses and wiring systems. They’ll also learn how to safely work with lasers in a testing environment as well as work with fiber-optic connections and sub-assemblies. [Source: Florida Trend]
Colleges, staff prepare for DEI changes as fall semester opens
The changes taking place at Florida colleges and universities are not new. Changes to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion laws have been in the news since May when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bills in to law. Proponents of DEI programs say they promote diversity within universities and can result in a more equitable outlook for minorities. But as colleges begin fall semesters, officials that represent professors say the reality is setting in. [Source: Bay News 9]
Florida quietly added more secrecy to university president searches
Months after the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a law that shields parts of searches for college and university presidents, state university system officials added an additional layer of secrecy that requires non-disclosure agreements. The issue of non-disclosure agreements in presidential searches erupted last week, amid a dust-up between leaders of Florida Atlantic University’s Board of Trustees. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida parent group forms to support LGBTQ+ families
As many Florida children went back to school last week, a group of parents came together to announce a new support group for LGBTQ+ families. Equality Florida formed Parenting With Pride to teach guardians about new laws affecting queer students via free webinars, track how those rules are implemented in schools, and provide them with resources and support.
› Duval County teachers finally see benefit of property tax increase approved by voters last year
Duval County Public Schools teachers are now receiving supplemental pay to boost their salaries, funded by a one-mill property tax increase that voters approved in 2022. The supplemental pay varies based on a teacher’s base salary with teachers who have higher salaries receiving more money. The supplemental pay, which is divided among the teachers’ regular paychecks, ranges from $5,400 to $7,000 and does not change the teachers’ base pay.
› Pinellas schools warn parents about app with privacy issues
The Pinellas County school district is warning parents to counsel their children about Saturn — Time Together, a phone app that could jeopardize their privacy and even safety. In an email sent to parents this week, the district’s technology department warned that “anyone, regardless of whether they are a student or not, can create an account, indicate that they attend a school, and provide school-related information, such as a class schedule.”
› Florida International University’s fall class is its largest
Florida International University welcomed its largest incoming freshman class this fall with a continuing trend towards STEM-focused disciplines. As fall classes commenced Aug. 21, FIU’s enrollment totaled 49,130 for undergraduate and graduate students. That number is expected to climb when dual enrollment numbers become available later this semester.
Previous Education Updates:
- Numerous Florida college rankings drop under new U.S. News methodology
- Florida's new edicts on schools keep changing, and locals are confused
- What can Florida school vouchers pay for? New lists are raising eyebrows.
- Florida's accreditation shuffle begins
- Students head back to school as Florida faces worst teacher shortage in state history
- Florida school districts grapple with AP course confusion
- Florida may become first state to accept a 'classical' alternative to the SAT and ACT
- Thousands in Florida eligible for student loan forgiveness. Here's what you need to know
