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Florida Trend's NEXT
Florida Trend's NEXT is here to help students and/or their parents navigate the first steps of constructing an awesome future for a high school graduate. NEXT is loaded with resources to give advice, warnings, and examples, but, ultimately, it’s up to the reader; so this year's issue is set up like an instruction manual. With NEXT you’ll feel equipped and empowered, informed and prepared — ready to build the life you want. [Source: Florida Trend]
As curriculum demands increase, Florida schools seek ways to fit it all in
For years, many Florida elementary school teachers have complained that the state’s reading requirements have crowded out other important topics, social studies top among them. As lawmakers have pushed to add more lessons to the mix, such as 9/11 history and anti-communism information, the pressure has grown to find time to fit it all in. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida colleges and universities close ahead of Helene
As now-Hurricane Helene prepares to make landfall, colleges and universities across the Sunshine State are stopping operations. The Florida Department of Education's (FLDOE) list of educational institutions that are shutting down has expanded to include nine universities, as well as dozens of colleges and school districts. More from CBS 12, WESH, and WFLA.
State Board of Education OKs legislative budget ask for next year
The State Board of Education voted to ask the Legislature for $27.2 billion — up about $167 million from this fiscal year — for the 2025-26 education operating and fixed outlay budget. “The education budget — it’s one of the largest budget items where we have discretion,” Chair Ben Gibson said during the meeting. “I think it really shows where the state of Florida’s priorities are. … I think this is something we can all be proud of.” [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida officials pressure schools to roll back sex ed lessons
Florida has told school districts around the state that they may not teach teenagers about contraception, show them pictures depicting human reproductive anatomy or discuss topics such as sexual consent and domestic violence, according to district officials and an advocate for comprehensive sexual health education. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› UF, USF drop in U.S. News college rankings; other Florida schools gain
The state of Florida has been ranked No. 1 for higher education by U.S. News & World Report for eight consecutive years. But this year’s Best Colleges rankings, released early Tuesday, saw dips for some of the state’s top schools. The University of Florida slipped from sixth to seventh among public universities, two years after back-to-back top 5 rankings.
› Disney court win could cost Orange County schools millions
A court ruling in Disney’s favor could force Orange County Public Schools to refund millions — and potentially tens of millions — in property taxes to the entertainment giant. The decision, handed down Monday by Judge Thomas W. Turner, followed an eight-year legal battle over claims the Orange County Property Appraiser’s Office improperly calculated the taxable value of the Yacht & Beach Club.
› Sarasota schools enhance security efforts with AI gun detection
Sarasota County Schools is rolling out the state’s largest artificial intelligence-driven gun detection system this school year. Virginia-based Omnilert Gun Detect system has over 4,800 existing security cameras installed throughout the Sarasota school district, which is the company’s second-largest deployment in the nation behind Baltimore County Public Schools.
› Annual college fair in Gainesville focuses on college admissions and financial aid process
A college fair that began in 2009 as part of outreach sponsored by Mike Powell and Associates: Athletics, Academics and Scholarship Consulting will again be held in partnership with the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida. Billed as the "North Central Florida College Fair: Where Academics and Athletics Meet,” this year’s event will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Eastside High School.