$117.5 billion state budget pumps up education spending

$117.5 billion state budget pumps up education spending

The Florida Legislature on Tuesday released a $117.5 billion budget for 2024-25 that includes more money for K-12 and colleges and millions of dollars in local projects. The budget’s completion starts the clock on a 72-hour cooling-off period required before lawmakers can approve it. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» Teachers union: ‘Unprecedented’ new education funding won’t move state out of basement national rankings

Florida school principals could be penalized under proposed book rule

Florida school principals could face state penalties if they are determined to have illegally prevented students from looking at library books in their schools, under a new rule under consideration by the state Department of Education. Randy Kosec, chief of the department’s Office of Professional Practices, introduced the proposed rule on Friday during a lightly attended 20-minute online workshop. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

2024 Session: High-stakes testing stays in Florida schools — for now

While the Florida Senate's "Learn Local" package passed with gusto on the second day of the 2024 legislative session, very different final versions of the bills were sent to the governor's desk Wednesday after stalling in the House for weeks. Major components of the education deregulation bills, like removing accountability exams that have been in place for decades, were taken out by the House. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

Florida replaced sociology with an early U.S. history course. A closer look.

In a move that rankled academics across the country last month, Florida officials removed sociology as one of the core courses students can choose to complete their studies at public colleges and universities. In sociology’s place, then, the state inserted a new option for students: an introductory course surveying U.S. history up to 1877. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

When does spring break start in Florida? Here’s a list by schools

Spring break has begun around the country as students escape the classrooms for a week or two to relax and unwind. The holidays officially run from March 2 through the 30th but each college, university and county school district runs on its own schedule. Spring breakers from around the country are already flocking to Florida in droves for a break from the cold. [Source: Pensacola News Journal]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The Florida Center of Cybersecurity is hosting a competition for students [WUSF]
For the first time, a leading cybersecurity education institute is holding a competition for Florida students. The Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida is hosting CyberLaunch, an event where around 800 Florida students will learn about cybersecurity careers. Cybersecurity curriculum developer Candi Ring said these students were selected from invitations that were sent to all Florida school districts

› Orange County Public Schools, teachers union reach agreement over new contracts [Click Orlando]
A special impasse hearing on Tuesday regarding a new contract for teachers in the Orange County school district ended with both sides reaching a deal. District leaders announced last month to teachers what they are calling a “historic” 9% salary increase under the new contract for the 2023-2024 school year.

› Pasco School District settles federal disability discrimination case [Tampa Bay Times]
The Pasco County School District has agreed to change the way its schools treat students with disabilities as part of a settlement related to a U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation. The Justice Department announced the settlement with the school district Tuesday after a lengthy investigation concluded that Pasco Schools engaged in disability discrimination.

› Florida Legislature OKs TCC name change to 'Tallahassee State College' [Tallahassee Democrat]
Tallahassee Community College is now just one step away from officially being recognized as Tallahassee State College. Florida legislators on Tuesday unanimously passed a proposal (SB 522) to change the name of the college in state law. The final approval came just days ahead of the 2024 regular legislative session’s scheduled end on Friday.

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?
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• Florida's MBA programs: Mastering the cyber industry
• Florida settles lawsuit over LGBT education bill
• Florida lawmakers continue debate over school red tape, education spending and more