Florida’s legislative session looks light on education
With less than three weeks remaining in Florida’s legislative session, major education policy revisions and additions appear to be at their lowest level in years. Bills addressing big issues such as voucher funding and revise charter school co-location rules have stalled, while those that are finding success have much smaller impacts. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Most Florida schools are Title I. What does that mean?
As Florida pushes for more education options besides traditional public schools, most schools continue to be Title I. About 73% of all elementary and secondary schools are Title I, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There are 3,095 Title I schools, outpacing charter (687) and magnet (611). Title I schools get federal aid because at least 40% of students come from low-income households. But the extra resources don’t guarantee success. [Source: TC Palm]
Florida faculty union, profs decry ‘censored’ state sociology textbook
Florida’s higher education board “censored” a general education sociology textbook, the state’s faculty union says, cutting more than half of the book’s original content and removing chapters on racism, genocide and inequality. The book, which is now required for introductory sociology courses at Florida State University, was edited down from 669 pages to 267. The original book was a free, “open” textbook written by 13 contributing authors from colleges across the country. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
The Florida Board of Education has trimmed the Schools of Hope law
The Florida Board of Education adopted new rules that set some limits on the ability of charter schools — some run by for-profit companies — to move into underused public school district buildings. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas praised the rule-making changes and called the controversial practice known as co-location "an efficient, effective and student-centered strategy." Critics of the rules said they remain vague in parts, and that the bulk of the costs would still land on taxpayers, to the detriment of students attending public schools. [Source: WFSU]
As Florida pushes schools to quash protests, students face mix of punishments
Across the state, schools have faced heavy pressure from state officials to clamp down on protest-like activities and any educators who support them. The state has limited powers when it comes to handing out student punishment: By law, control over discipline falls squarely to local school boards, which adopt and revise codes of conduct that principals are left to enforce. The state has much more leeway to lean on educators through its Principles of Professional Conduct. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› UF stamps sizable economic footprint across Sunshine State
An economic activity report shows the University of Florida contributes nearly $19.6 billion to Florida’s economy. The report analyzed the school’s economic activity in Florida for the 2023-24 fiscal year, showing UF supported 134,411 jobs in total. “The University of Florida’s commitment to excellence translates into real economic benefit for Florida,” UF interim President Donald Landry said.
› Miami Dade College and Overtown Youth Center partner to expand education and workforce pathways for youth
Miami Dade College and the Overtown Youth Center have entered into a memorandum of understanding intended to improve educational access and workforce preparation for youth and families in Miami-Dade County, according to a press release issued by the college. The agreement creates a structure for the two organizations to coordinate new and existing efforts that support college readiness, career preparation and long-term academic progress.
› FRLA culinary competition among high schoolers draws about 330 students to Orlando event
Future chefs and hospitality professionals from about 40 Florida high schools took part in a culinary competition that ended with more than $2.1 million in scholarships being awarded. More than 330 students took part in the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Educational Foundation ProStart Culinary Team Competition in Orlando last weekend. The winners not only snagged scholarship help, they also advance to the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C., in April.
› Pinellas gives long-struggling charter school one more chance
The Pinellas County school district has had “concerns” with the operations of MycroSchool, a charter alternative high school, for several of the years since it opened in 2012. Not long ago, MycroSchool had problems with its low graduation rate that led the school board to renew the charter for two years, compared to the more usual five to 15 that better performing charters have received.