Florida Senate eyeing public school recess reform

Florida Senate eyeing public school recess reform

Among the education deregulation policies prioritized by Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo during a committee meeting Wednesday is one that may change the way schools offer recess to students. One part of a trio of bills likely to be considered during the 2024 legislative session would mandate that schools provide 100 minutes of recess over a week rather than the existing mandate of 20 minutes every day. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

DeSantis signs bill expanding vouchers program for special needs students

The Senate and House unanimously passed the measure to eliminate the cap on the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities as part of last week's special session. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that will expand a school vouchers program for students with special needs, the governor’s official website said. [Source: Health News Florida ]

Commentary: As governor of Florida Girls State, I have a platform to hone my political skills

Having had the privilege of being elected governor of Florida Girls State, I stepped into a transformative experience that illuminated the scarcity of avenues for women to express their political prowess. As a future public servant, this opportunity not only provided invaluable lessons but also underscored the urgent need for greater inclusivity in the political sphere. I am a senior at West Shore Junior/Senior High School in Melbourne and was chosen as a delegate to go to the Florida Girls State program at Florida State University — where I was eventually elected governor. Much like its male counterpart, Florida Girls State is a crucible of leadersh [Source: Miami Herald]

UF told to pay $372K in legal fees in suit over professors’ free speech

A federal judge has awarded more than $372,000 in legal fees to attorneys who represented professors in a high-profile lawsuit against the University of Florida over being able to serve as expert witnesses in court cases. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker last week issued a 35-page ruling that rejected arguments by the university that it should not have to cover the fees. Walker awarded $372,219 in fees to attorneys from two firms, while also tacking on $1,575 in costs. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Poly students build solar race car from scratch

Students are putting what they learned in the classroom to the test while working to build a solar race car for a competition next spring. Ten years ago, the campus was just starting to take shape. That signature building you see off of Interstate 4 while driving through Polk County is the Innovation, Science and Technology Building at Florida Polytechnic. Florida's only "all stem" public university was created after USF Polytechnic broke away from the USF system. [Source: WTSP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FSU College of Business adds four inductees to its Alumni Hall of Fame [FSU]
The Florida State University College of Business recently inducted four new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame. Inducted were Christopher Iansiti, a visionary entrepreneur and organizational transformation expert; Russell Kohl, an innovative executive in the global cutting and power tools industry; Kyle Riva, a leader in development, construction and financing of high-profile commercial real estate; and Nada Usina, a global expert in executive search and advisory services.

› FAU trustees extend contract of interim president. Why didn't she get the permanent job? [Palm Beach Post]
With their search for a new president in limbo, Florida Atlantic University’s board of trustees extended the contract of the school’s interim leader but rejected a proposal to give her the permanent job. Under a contract extension approved Tuesday, interim President Stacy Volnick would serve until a permanent president is appointed or until the end of 2024, whichever comes first.

› Mainland High's 1st state-mandated career fair attracts hundreds of graduating seniors [Daytona Beach News-Journal]
The college-career fair, a new legislative mandate of public high schools, meshed with one of Mainland Principal Joseph Castelli's goals for graduates. "When they get their diploma, they are given a next step, as well," Castelli said. "So many times a kid is like, ‘What is that next step going to be? You can tell me to fill out all of these forms and take all of these questionnaires and I still don’t know what I want to do.’"

› Architect who led Frank Lloyd Wright renovations to speak Thursday at Florida Southern [The Ledger]
Jeff Baker, who has led the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright campus at Florida Southern College since 2007, will speak Thursday in the college’s Florida Lecture Series. Baker has overseen the full realization of the Waterdome based on Wright’s original design and managed the restoration of the Esplanades, Annie Pfeiffer Chapel and the Planetarium, the college said in a news release.

Tags: Education eNews

Previous Education Updates:

• FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools
• College crime surging back to pre-COVID levels. Here's the crime at Florida colleges, universities
• Florida student aid requests plunge. How many will delay or skip college?
• Florida schools have a teacher shortage. Why are they cutting jobs?
• Florida schools need more nurses. Can they compete with employers who pay more?
• Florida's MBA programs: Mastering the cyber industry
• Florida settles lawsuit over LGBT education bill
• $117.5 billion state budget pumps up education spending