The name, image and likeness era has arrived for Florida high schools
The Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday opened the door for student-athletes to earn money from business agreements such as endorsement deals, with the organization’s president calling the move a “good starting point.” The FHSAA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a seismic change in the organization’s bylaws to allow athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness, or NIL. The changes will be in effect for the upcoming school year. More from the News Service of Florida and the Tampa Bay Times.
Free master's degree entices dozens of special ed teachers, but Florida needs thousands
Every special education teacher makes a big impact — but Florida public schools will need an extra 2,500 of them for the upcoming academic year. A federally funded program at the University of Central Florida offers a free master's degree in special education in exchange for a teaching commitment. [Source: WUSF]
Start times still vex Florida schools. They have until 2026 to get it right.
The time is drawing nearer for Florida school districts to make sure their high school student aren’t taking classes before 8:30 a.m. In most counties, they’ve been starting their days around 7:30 a.m., some earlier. Lawmakers gave districts until fall 2026 to shift their schedules. But officials in many districts, particularly the larger ones, have grappled with ways to balance their bell times with their bus routes. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Palm Beach Post.
Florida revises school library book removal training after public outcry
Florida is moving forward with a revised training program for local public school officials in charge of policing library and classroom bookshelves, including language changes that free speech advocates said misrepresented state law and led to unnecessary book removals. [Source: USA Today]
Florida wants all school doors, gates locked. It could get costly.
A new state law, which takes effect July 1, says schools must keep all classroom, building and campus entrances and exits closed and locked when students are present, “regardless of whether it is during normal school hours” — unless it’s time for changing classes or a staff member is monitoring the spot. School district officials said they applaud the effort. But putting the mandate into effect could be problematic, they added. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› USF picked as HQ for international virus, pandemic research network
The University of South Florida will be the new headquarters of the Global Virus Network, a coalition of more than 80 virology research centers in 40 countries, as well as home to its co-founder: Robert Gallo, who is credited as one of the co-discoverers of HIV. At an event announcing the partnership Wednesday, Charles Lockwood, vice president for USF Health, said he saw the partnership as a way to “expand the role of the university in solving some of society’s most pressing health issues.”
› UF Online launches three new majors for fall 2024
UF will offer three new fully online majors starting in fall 2024 as a part of its larger push to increase access for students in high-demand fields and better meet the needs of Florida’s workforce. UF Online currently supports more than 4,000 students who learn and engage from 50 states and 24 countries around the world.
› OCPS leaders, remembering leaky roofs and peeling paint, urge voters to renew sales tax
Before Orange County voters approved a half-penny sales tax for school construction more than two decades ago, the county’s public schools relied heavily on portable classrooms to handle growing enrollment, and many older buildings suffered from leaky roofs, balky air conditioners, peeling paint and even rodents. One former principal said she used to bake cookies for maintenance workers, hoping to convince the overworked staff to make fixes on her campus.
› After an 11-month delay, FAU is rebooting its search for a new president
Florida Atlantic University’s leaders moved Tuesday, June 4, to relaunch their long-stalled search for a new president, agreeing to form a search committee nearly a year after their previous search was abruptly halted by the state. The chairperson of the university’s board of trustees said he hopes the new committee can present a list of finalists for trustees to consider by January.