Florida ranks No. 1 in nation for vocational education
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced earlier this week that Florida was ranked No. 1 in the country in workforce education — a goal that was achieved five years ahead of schedule. Factors that made Florida No. 1 in workforce education included the state's top ranking in talent attraction for three years, a No. 1 ranking for college graduation rates for two years and No. 1 spot for education freedom for four years, DeSantis said. [Source: Florida Today]
Later high school start times? It looks unlikely without Florida mandate
School districts across Florida are taking a close look at whether they will change their high school start times so teens can sleep later each day. Last year, lawmakers reversed the mandate that high schools begin classes at 8:30 a.m. or later amid furious district pushback that the idea was too costly and unwieldy. Instead, they told districts to study the possibility each year and justify their decision in a report to the state Department of Education. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida students walking out to protest ICE: What are their rights?
Thousands of Florida students have walked out of schools to protest the Trump administration's immigration policies. While students have First Amendment rights, schools can discipline them for walkouts if they are considered disruptive. Florida's Education Commissioner warned districts that protests must not interrupt school operations or instructional time. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida Prepaid opens enrollment with new options
Florida’s prepaid college program has opened its enrollment period with a series of changes officials say are designed to help families plan ahead. The updates include a redesigned website that guides families through a personalized savings plan. There are flexible prepaid plan options, including the ability to purchase one year at a time, with monthly payment plans starting at $29. The plans allow Florida residents to lock in future tuition costs at today’s prices and are guaranteed by the state. [Source: Tampa Bay 28]
Florida school grades neglect poverty, disabilities, minority students
A growing number of Florida schools are receiving As, but parents who assess their performance by its letter grade alone might be missing some crucial information. About 71% of all K-12 Florida schools received either an A or B grade in the 2024-25 school year, according to Florida Department of Education data. Florida’s grading system assesses school success based on how the majority of students are doing, even if one or more subgroups are failing. [Source: TC Palm]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida lawmakers advance bill requiring cursive proficiency in schools
Florida lawmakers are considering a proposal that would make cursive writing a required skill for elementary school students, tying proficiency in handwriting to grade-level advancement rather than high school graduation. Under the bill, students would need to demonstrate cursive writing proficiency, through evaluation of written work, by the end of fifth grade, making it a prerequisite for completing elementary school if the measure becomes law.
› Palm Beach State College to launch quantum computing program
If all goes to plan, Palm Beach State College will start training students next year to support the emerging profession of combining subatomic particles with quantum physics to make computers more powerful than humanity has seen. PBSC recently won a $4.95 million grant from the Florida Department of Commerce's Job Growth Grant Fund to offer quantum computing support courses in downtown West Palm Beach, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County said Feb. 12.
› FGCU’s Vester Field Station rebounds after hurricanes
Environmental research and education programs are flourishing again at Vester Field Station in Bonita Springs after the facility recovered from hurricanes Ian, Helen and Milton. Located on the back bay along Bonita Beach Road, Vester has taken on an increasingly important role as the hands-on science branch of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Water School, founded in 2019. Together, they position the school as an authority on water quality and environmental stewardship.
› Florida’s attorney general gets $100K part-time teaching job at UF
Within months of Gov. Ron DeSantis handpicking him as Florida’s new attorney general last winter, James Uthmeier landed a lucrative side gig: a $100,000-a-year teaching assignment at University of Florida’s law school for two hours of instruction per week. The former DeSantis aide’s paycheck makes him the highest-paid adjunct professor at UF’s Levin College of Law in at least a quarter century, according to compensation records dating back to 1997.