What Florida’s push to roll back vaccines means for college students
Medical experts said unvaccinated students could pose unique risks to college campuses, not just K-12 schools. Florida colleges and universities may soon be the only ones in the country without vaccine mandates. State lawmakers would need to approve a complete rollback of vaccine requirements, but the Florida Department of Health can eliminate four not mandated by state law, which could take up to 80 days. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Tech research model could help solve NASA exoplanet mystery
It's the question on the minds of many: are there worlds similar to Earth in our galaxy? A new model, with ties to Florida Tech, may provide clearer answers to a mystery faced by astrophysicts: Why it is that some planets around a certain type of star have not proved promising for life? Howard Chen, assistant professor at Florida Tech College of Engineering and Science: Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences, has worked to solve this mystery. [Source: Florida Today]
Opinion: It’s time to consider regulations on AI to protect students
Artificial Intelligence has found its way into Florida's classrooms. That’s both exciting and troubling. Left unchecked, AI risks opening the door to a decline in students’ critical thinking skills and giving too much power to technology rather than teachers. And it’s not just critical thinking that could be affected. AI doesn’t always provide correct information, increasing the risk of misinformation being accepted as truth. [Source: Miami Herald]
Enrollment down at Central Florida’s public schools. Most blame voucher program
Enrollment is down in all but one of Central Florida’s public school districts this year, with most blaming the state’s universal voucher program for siphoning away students and funds. Public schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion and Polk counties all had lower school enrollment during the first few weeks of school when compared to last year’s enrollment numbers. Only Sumter has higher enrollment numbers, which reports 375 more students this year. [Source: Central Florida Public Media]
Florida’s Full Sail University ‘hoodwinked’ students with fake jobs, whistleblowers say
Whistleblowers in a federal court case in California allege Central Florida’s Full Sail University engaged in a “pay-for-play” student hiring scheme to earn more federal funding. The complaint alleges that LA Film School and Full Sail funneled money to employers to hire students for jobs that lasted scarcely longer than two days, all so the schools could count them as “employed” to hit a 70% employed threshold for more federal funding. The students were “hoodwinked” into going along, it said. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Surf, skate, study: South Florida students learn math, science through waves, wheels
When you were in school, did you ever imagine taking surfing or skateboarding for class credit? For some kids in South Florida, that’s now a reality — and it’s about much more than just having fun. These unique courses are designed to teach math, science and engineering, all while riding waves or rolling through skate parks. On Wednesday, the ocean was the lab for a group of students in Pompano Beach.
› Broward starts weighing the latest ideas to close schools
After years of delaying efforts to downsize a district with shrinking enrollment, the Broward School Board gave its strongest indication to date on Tuesday that it’s ready to start closing schools. Most School Board members supported a proposal to close six of seven recommended schools for the 2026-27 school year recommended by Superintendent Howard Hepburn. A majority of board members even said they are willing to sell or lease their own headquarters.
› Florida Policy Project partners with FSU researchers, others on new interactive housing model
The Florida Policy Project has partnered with the Florida State University DeVoe L. Moore Center and the Reason Foundation to create a new housing supply model aimed at helping officials address shortages across the state. The model finds that Florida is short about 55,000 single-family homes and more than 66,000 rental units, shortages that increase demand and drive housing prices higher.
› Pasco schools declare 5th grade science ‘emergency’ after early testing
Pasco County fifth grade classes need improvement in science, right away. Early assessments aimed to monitor children’s progress in key subjects showed that 35% of district fifth graders were on track for success. Last fall, 45% of fifth graders were at that level. That decline alarmed Deputy Superintendent Monica Ilse, who declared a science “emergency” for the grade level after seeing the results.