Florida faces alarming rise in student absences
Absenteeism in districts throughout Florida skyrocketed beginning during the COVID-19 pandemic — and, confounding experts’ predictions and defying educators’ hopes, it hasn’t come back down. Chronic absenteeism skyrocketed statewide more than 50% from 2018-19 to 2023-24, the most recent year available, a South Florida Sun Sentinel analysis found. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Orlando Sentinel.
DeSantis signs bill on Florida's School Readiness Program
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that expands support for children with special needs, making early education more accessible to families who may struggle to find appropriate care. It also begins new requirements for providers, which ensure that public funds for special needs education are directed to qualified providers with properly trained staff. [Source: WFTX]
Top DeSantis aide Kamoutsas named Florida education commissioner
Acting on the recommendation of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the State Board of Education on Wednesday named Anastasios I. Kamoutsas Florida’s 32nd education commissioner. Kamoutsas, 36, is one of four deputy chiefs of staff in DeSantis’ office. Before taking that post in 2023, he served as a general counsel and chief of staff to the Department of Education, taking an active role on high profile issues such as reopening schools during the pandemic and eliminating diversity programs. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the AP.
Are phones allowed in Florida schools? Here's what the new law says students can't do
When school starts in Florida next fall, elementary and middle school students will be banned from using cell phones from "bell to bell" during the school day under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 30. High school students will still be permitted to use their phones outside of class (depending on individual school district rules), but House Bill 1105, an omnibus education bill composed of several previously filed initiatives, bans their use during instructional time unless "expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes" and then only in a designated area. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida lawmakers getting closer on budget for vouchers, teacher pay
State House and Senate negotiators continued to edge closer to an education budget agreement on Wednesday, while remaining separated on some key details. The House accepted the Senate’s proposal to create a special fund to support advanced and technical programs, for instance, abandoning a plan to slash the money in half. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Embry-Riddle pivots plans for expansive Lake County campus
Plans for an extensive Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Lake County have been withdrawn — but the college still plans to use the property. The owners of Deep Woods Ranch LLC previously filed plans with the county seeking to rezone roughly 119 acres of mostly undeveloped land in Paisley from agricultural to community facility district. The concept plan included a paved runway, three hangars and a classroom building, as well as testing facilities for drone pilots and autonomous vehicles.
› Hillsborough County schools face state pressure over books under review
Hillsborough County’s superintendent is meeting with state officials this week over demands to ban certain school library books. Florida's attorney general and education commissioner said the district hasn’t removed "inappropriate" books fast enough. The school board hasn’t voted on the matter, but hundreds of books are now under review.
› After Ono’s rejection, what’s next for the University of Florida?
After Florida’s Board of Governors voted down Santa Ono as president of the state’s flagship university Tuesday, even members of the board seemed shocked by what they’d just done. “The motion fails,” said board chair Brian Lamb, his tone registering disbelief after the votes were tallied. “First time that’s really happened.” The board’s rejection of Ono — unanimously approved just a week earlier by the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees — was so unexpected that the university had not prepared a contingency statement.
› Florida law requiring parental consent for in-school corporal punishment won't impact Brevard
In some Florida schools, kids can be hit as a form of discipline. It's not new — the only difference is that now, effective July 1, districts employing the controversial practice will have to get parental permission before carrying out any kind of corporal punishment. In Brevard Public Schools, however, district policy "strictly prohibits" this type of punishment, said Spokesperson Janet Murnaghan.