DeSantis wants Florida universities to ‘pull the plug’ on H-1B staff from foreign countries
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wants to “pull the plug” on H-1B visas at state universities, arguing the program meant to recruit top talent from foreign countries wrongly takes jobs away from Floridians. Almost 400 employees from foreign countries currently work at Florida public universities under that visa program, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Shutdown imperils key education program for young children
Tens of thousands of children from low-income families could lose access to education, meals and health care if federal Head Start cash doesn’t resume by Nov. 1 — just as the funding drought stokes fears of lasting damage to the program. A fresh round of grant money for Head Start, the 60-year-old federal early education program serving children under age 6, is in limbo as the federal government remains shut down. The lack of funding is expected to hit Head Start centers in red and blue states alike as Republicans and Democrats spar over who’s to blame for the shutdown. [Source: Politico]
Florida wants to post more college syllabi online. Professors fear what's next.
Florida is considering a move that would give people a closer look at what’s being taught in its public universities — another potential flash point as conservative-led states scrutinize higher education. University leaders in Florida want schools to post what textbooks, instructional materials and readings are required for most courses, similar to a policy recently adopted by Georgia colleges. [Source: Politico]
Editorial: Florida needs guardrails for AI in classrooms
Artificial intelligence has found its way into Miami-Dade classrooms. In the third-largest school district in the country, 100,000 students are now using Google’s Gemini chatbot in the classroom. Miami-Dade County Public Schools teachers are experimenting with AI tools to grade essays and bring their lesson plans to life by enlisting chatbots to impersonate historical figures, according to a May story in the New York Times. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Sarasota's New College says it will be first school to sign Trump's education compact
As the Trump Administration has clashed with the country's higher education institutions, Sarasota's New College of Florida has eagerly stepped into the breach and adhered to the president’s agenda. The college announced it will be the first to sign the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, a series of policies institutions would follow for better funding preferences. More from the Herald-Tribune.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orange County teachers approve new union contract offering small raise amid budget shortfall
Teachers, school psychologists, and other instructional staff in Orange County Public Schools overwhelmingly approved a new union contract last week delivering 4 percent raises for most teachers, with $2 million in additional funds set aside for paying longtime teachers and educators with advanced degrees.
› University of Florida tops Wall Street Journal’s new nationwide ranking of universities
The University of Florida has been named the nation’s top university, public or private, according to a new ranking highlighted by the Wall Street Journal.
The editorial, titled “The University Elite, Reconsidered,” features rankings created by City Journal that evaluated 100 leading universities across the country.
› Florida targeted millions in college grants amid state DOGE efforts
State colleges and universities have repurposed or outright canceled more than $43 million worth of federal grants this year over ties to diversity, equity and inclusion, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday.
This outcome, coming amid a state probe into college spending under the GOP governor’s DOGE task force, further aligns Florida with President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape higher education and federal research.
› Florida teachers would have to take loyalty oath under new bill
Florida teachers would be mandated to take an oath of loyalty to the state and promise to be "a positive role model in both conduct and character," under a new law.
The bill, H.B. 147, would go into effect July 2026 and mean the oath would become required before any teacher can enter a classroom.