What is the Phoenix Declaration, adopted in Florida, to implement new education standards?
Florida's State Board of Education unanimously voted to ratify and adopt "The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education." This will establish the new guiding principles for education, according to the state's Department of Education. Critics argue the move will politicize classrooms and marginalize diverse perspectives. More from WTSP and the Florida Phoenix.
Legislators discuss what a college degree is worth as state details underperforming disciplines
Sikes, the Vice Chancellor of Academic & Student Affairs for the State University System (SUS) of Florida, noted that 80% of undergrads at state institutions graduate without federal loans, with Florida boasting the fourth-lowest tuition in the country. Sikes said policymakers are making smart decisions to maximize value further, including culling programs that aren’t producing many graduates. [Source: Florida Politics]
Column: Leading students into Florida’s cybersecurity frontier
Every day, our world faces escalating digital threats, and the adoption of AI technologies becomes more widespread. Amid this cyber-boom, the cybersecurity industry is experiencing explosive job growth and an alarming talent gap. The World Economic Forum reports that more than 4 million cybersecurity jobs are vacant. According to Forbes, cybersecurity ranks among the top areas for job growth, with employers struggling to fill roles. Over 514,000 cybersecurity job listings were posted in the U.S. just in the past 12 months, a 12% increase over the previous year. [Source: Florida Trend]
Visa uncertainty in Florida keeps professors home for holidays
Some H-1B visa holders in Florida are avoiding international travel due to uncertainty about re-entry into the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed state universities to prioritize American graduates over international workers for jobs. Immigration lawyers report increased scrutiny and higher denial rates for H-1B visa and permanent residency applications. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida requires districts to bus students to school, but doesn't fully fund it
Florida public school districts are required to provide busing to all students who live more than 2 miles from their elementary, middle and high schools. It's a state law. Yet the law comes with no guaranteed funding source for the buses, and while student transportation is a separate line under the state's Florida Education Finance Program, it provides many districts with less than 50% of what's needed. [Source: Daytona Beach News Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Three Florida school districts to test drones to protect against active shooters
Three school districts, including one in Central Florida, will be a part of a new statewide effort to use drones to improve safety in K-12 schools. Broward and Leon school districts, and Volusia County Schools in Central Florida, have been chosen to participate in the Campus Guardian Angel Pilot Program.
› Newsweek names Florida Tech No. 1 online college in state, 10th best in nation
In Newsweek magazine's 2026 rankings of online colleges around the nation, Florida Tech was named No. 1 in the Sunshine State and the 10th best in the country. In partnership with Statista, Newsweek ranked the top 250 U.S. online colleges by conducting an online survey of more than 10,000 people who have used online learning services to earn a degree or otherwise advance their knowledge and skills for a job or hobby.
› Florida Supreme Court justice steps down to be next director at UF’s Hamilton School
Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Canady is starting a different role in the new year, at the University of Florida. Beginning in 2026, he will serve as the director of UF’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. The Hamilton School was established in 2022, with recurring funding from the state Legislature, to teach the ideas and traditions of Western and American civilization.
› Firms eye dozens of Duval schools as places to co-locate charter 'schools of hope' rent-free
Three charter school operators are staking claims to use space rent-free in dozens of Duval County public schools under state “Schools of Hope” rules that have alarmed traditional-school advocates. Two of the businesses aren’t approved by the State Board of Education to be “hope operators” but filed notices with the school district as part of a process spelled out in state law that includes standards to become approved.