Florida Bar passage rate lower than a year ago
Aspiring attorneys taking the Florida Bar exam for the first time in February passed at a rate 3% lower than last year’s winter administration of the exam. Of the 537 people who took the exam for the first time in February, 332 passed. Of the students who attended an accredited Florida law school, 61.3% passed, a rate similar to the total pool of first-time test takers, who passed at 61.8%. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
Gov. DeSantis receives education ‘chimera’ bill combining Democratic, Republican proposals
A bill that started out to improve teacher training has grown to include proposals about private school zoning, handwriting, and charter school enrollment. It is now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis’ office said it has received SB 182. The bill, from Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, started as a four-page plan to let experienced or highly rated retired teachers mentor newer or struggling educators, especially in low-performing schools. [Source: Florida Politics]
Federal rule change could ease way for Florida’s new college accreditation body
Florida’s effort to launch a new “ideology-free” college accrediting agency could get a major boost from the Trump administration — a shift with high stakes for students, universities and the industry that sets the standards for higher education. Accreditation determines whether colleges meet basic standards of quality and, crucially, whether their students can access federal financial aid. Without it, degrees can lose value, credits may not transfer to other schools, and universities can be cut off from billions in funding. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Lottery hits major milestone in educational funding
The Florida Lottery announced a major milestone of more than $50 billion generated for the Florida Educational Enhancement Trust Fund as of January. The funding supports public schools, higher education, and scholarship opportunities like the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program, which supports college education and technical training. [Source: WFLA]
Florida reveals new course launching in high schools next year
With the current school year soon coming to an end, the Florida Department of Education has revealed a new course that will soon launch in schools across the state. According to a memo released by the FDOE, the course — an advanced high school U.S. History class — comes courtesy of a law passed in 2023. More specifically, the law requires the State Board of Education to develop advanced general education courses to help students earn college credits while still attending high school. [Source: Click Orlando]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida has class size rules. This district has struggled to keep up.
Twenty-four years ago, Florida voters thought they were approving hard caps on the numbers of students in their school classrooms. Crowding had grown out of control, particularly in south Florida, and state officials did little to reverse the trend. So Floridians signed petitions to put the issue on the ballot, and then adopted class size restrictions aimed at easing the crunch. From the start, several lawmakers and school district leaders pushed against the requirements.
› UCF lands $50M pledge, the biggest gift in school’s history
A University of Central Florida alumnus has committed to donating $50 million — the largest philanthropic gift in school history — to establish the Barry S. Miller College of Business. UCF Trustees approved businessman Barry Miller’s gift as officials hailed it as transformational for the school. “We are deeply grateful to Barry for his extraordinary belief in this university and in the impact our students make. This is a defining moment for UCF and a powerful signal of who we are and where we are going,” UCF President Alexander Cartwright said in a statement.
› University of Florida unveils $41M marine research center in Marineland
A major investment in marine science and conservation is now open on the First Coast. Leaders with the University of Florida cut the ribbon Tuesday on the new Whitney Marine Research Center in Marineland — a 38,000-square-foot facility designed to expand research and education efforts. The center includes an upgraded sea turtle hospital focused on rescuing and rehabilitating injured marine animals, while also giving researchers and students more space to study marine life.
› Pinellas schools to cut teaching jobs as enrollment slides
Anticipating another sharp dip in student enrollment, Pinellas County school district officials have begun cutting the number of staff they will employ in the fall. “We’re losing about 4,200 kids next year,” deputy superintendent Stephanie Woodford said. “It’s basically a math problem.” The district also requires fewer workers in certain jobs as it closes and consolidates campuses.