School bells, cell phones, testing: What education bill passed this year in Tallahassee?
Two bills contained the bulk of education policy that passed through both legislative chambers, negotiated until the final hours of the scheduled regular session on Friday. Lawmakers couldn’t agree to lift the secrecy of university presidential searches, lift labor restrictions for minors, or to implement a full ban on cellphones in high schools, although they did find common ground on requiring parental consent for corporal punishment. More from the Florida Phoenix and the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida schools join mass lawsuit against social media giants over youth mental health
Social media giants may soon face legal reckoning. About 45 school districts across Florida have joined in on a nationwide, mass-action lawsuit, accusing even the most popular platforms of contributing to a mental health crisis among their youngest users and teenagers. Legal experts say it could take years to resolve, but the message being sent is immediate: mental health matters. [Source: WPEC]
Opinion: This Teacher Appreciation Week, remember the key to your student's success
Teacher Appreciation Week is here, bringing us an opportunity to reflect on the invaluable contributions educators make to our communities each and every day. These individuals are dedicated professionals, mentors, neighbors, and role models shaping the future. And, like all workers in Florida, they are working hard to build better lives for themselves and their loved ones. [Source: Palm Beach Post]
Cuts hit millions in funds targeted to HIV research at Florida universities
The federal government has terminated almost $2.5 billion in health care grant funds to the state of Florida. About $42 million of the terminated grants were specifically for HIV research, impacting Florida, which has the third highest rate of new HIV diagnoses. Florida universities, including FSU, FIU, and the University of Miami, were recipients of the terminated HIV research grants. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
At UF, Ono says he’s ‘in alignment’ with Florida’s vision
There were no organized protests, no chants echoing through the hallways, and only a few students milling about the University of Florida’s near-empty campus on Tuesday. Instead, and unlike three years ago, the scene was relatively sedate as the school’s presumptive new president paid his first visit. Santa Ono, the University of Michigan president selected as the lone finalist for the job, held panels with students, faculty and staff days after UF’s graduation, and ahead of a trustee decision to hand him the role this summer. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Mother and son earning degrees together among 7,700 USF grads
The University of South Florida is awarding more than 7,700 degrees during its Spring commencement ceremonies May 8-11, including to a mother and son, a cancer survivor, and a 69-year-old Navy veteran. Of those graduating, 5,848 are earning undergraduate degrees, 1,631 are earning master’s degrees and 265 are earning doctoral degrees. Another five are receiving specialist degrees.
› Pasco schools look to offer courses to homeschoolers, for a fee
Nearly 5,500 Pasco County children receive their education at home. The school district is looking for ways to bring some of them into classrooms — even if for only one course. Following the recent lead of the Miami-Dade County school system, Pasco County officials are creating a program in which homeschoolers can take individual classes at their neighborhood schools.
› The future of tech came together at Miami Dade College’s first AI Student Showcase, with talent shining all night
The power of AI is growing, and it’s starting right here in the 305. Miami Dade College students showed off their skills at the Wolfson Campus’ first AI Student Showcase on Thursday, May 1, and the talent was impressive. Sixteen student teams presented their creative artificial intelligence projects to a crowd of over 100 educators, community leaders, tech enthusiasts, venture capitalists, angel investors, recruiters, and more.
› Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland graduates largest class
Florida Polytechnic University held its largest commencement ceremony on Sunday as more than 330 graduates received degrees. The event, held at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, marked the first commencement held by Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson, who was appointed last year to succeed Randy Avent. Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, served as the commencement speaker.