How Florida missed out on $2.2 billion in Medicaid funding for schools
Florida lawmakers reached a rare consensus after the deadly Parkland school shooting: More money was needed for mental health counseling at schools. Two years later, lawmakers passed a bill allowing Medicaid dollars assigned to school districts to be used for more types of care for kids, including counseling. But state officials didn’t adopt the changes. And they have refused to comply with federal guidelines that would help school districts provide that care. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Taking flight
The University of North Florida is adding an esports arena called The Flight Deck, backed by a $3-million grant from the city of Jacksonville. The arena, which will be on the second floor of the school’s student union, will include 42 high-performance PC gaming stations, a competition stage and a broadcast studio space. One goal of The Flight Deck will be to draw in more students to pursue STEM careers in science, computing and engineering to help prepare the area’s workforce. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida falls behind in 2025 early education ranking
Florida ranks as the 11th worst state for early childhood education in 2025. The state's low ranking is attributed to poor scores in access, quality and resources, and economic support. While Florida offers free voluntary pre-K and subsidized programs for low-income families, childcare costs remain high. Average monthly childcare costs range from $700 to $1,000 depending on the type of care and age of the child. [Source: Florida Today]
Federal education funding to be released, offering relief to Florida schools
School board members across the state said they were relieved and grateful that the federal government released millions in frozen federal grant funds before students return to classes in August. Officials said having the money eased concerns that they would have to cut programs and positions to balance already tight budgets. At the same time, some expressed dismay that the discussion over the grants took place at all, calling it an unnecessary distraction. Districts are set to complete their budgets in September. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Florida schools now required to train staff on human trafficking awareness
Thousands of Florida children become victims of human trafficking every year, and now the people who see them most often will be better equipped to help. A new Florida law requires all public and charter school employees, from teachers to cafeteria workers and bus drivers, to complete human trafficking awareness training. The goal is to give school staff the tools to recognize when a child might be in danger and know what steps to take. [Source: WCTV]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Lottery surpasses $49 billion in contributions to education
The Florida Lottery has reached a new milestone, transferring over $49 billion to Florida’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund since its start in 1988. This achievement highlights the Lottery’s commitment to supporting education in Florida, funding programs from K-12 to higher education and workforce training.
› Back-to-school: What to know about Florida's month-long sales-tax holiday
Ready or not, it's back-to-school season. It's also time to take advantage of Florida's tax-free holiday which this year has been extended from one weekend to an entire month of tax-free sales on qualifying school items. This means parents in Florida will be able to get basic school supplies before classes begin, and continue saving on some supplies into the school year.
› Florida Poly, Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine partner for accelerated medical degrees
Florida Polytechnic University and the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) are partnering to launch a new program that will allow students to earn both Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees in just six years. An effort to address physician shortages and expand access to high-quality medical training, the program creates a direct and seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education at Florida Poly to professional medical training at OCOM.
› FIU joins FSU, UF in raising out-of-state tuition; more schools may follow
Non-Florida residents will pay more to attend the state’s highest-performing institution of higher education, Florida International University. Trustees at FIU voted Wednesday to raise tuition for out-of-state students by 10%, starting this fall. “The proposed increase will help offset growing costs and ensure the sustained quality of education at FIU,” board vice chair Marc Sarnoff said during the virtual meeting Wednesday.