Parents, educators take state to court over ‘failure’ of public schools
The lawsuit, brought forth by individual parents and the Florida Education Association, alleges that the Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, and the State Board of Education along with its individual members, “have not upheld their duty to ensure schools receiving taxpayer dollars are held to the same standards, oversight and level of accountability.” More from the Tampa Bay Times and WFLA.
NASA astronaut to answer questions from students in Florida
Students in Florida will hear from NASA astronaut Chris Williams as he answers prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) questions while aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will begin at 11 a.m. EDT Friday, May 8, and will stream live on the agency’s Learn With NASA YouTube channel. This event is hosted by the Aurelia M. Cole Academy in Clermont. [Source: NASA]
Column: Florida’s financial literacy classes are a smart investment. Here’s why
Every public high schooler in Florida receives basic money management training, cemented into state law in 2022. Our state lawmakers have larded up school curricula in dubious ways in recent years. This is not one of them. Florida’s program gets kids off to a good start on life’s inescapable financial journey. They learn that financial ignorance is expensive — but also avoidable. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida approves new US history course for college credit
The Florida Department of Education on Tuesday unveiled a new high school U.S. history course eligible for college credit, designed as an alternative to the existing Advanced Placement course. The Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT) U.S. history course will be available to students in districts that apply to offer the course through a pilot program as soon as this fall. Districts have until May 18 to sign up for the new pilot program. The statewide implementation of the new course is slated for 2027-2028 school year. [Source: WLRN]
Tampa Bay Times offering free subscription to graduating high school seniors
All graduating seniors in the Tampa Bay area can now getaccess to a free, yearlong digital subscription to the Tampa Bay Times. The subscription will include access to the tampabay.com website, e-Newspaper and mobile app. “This is a gift from all of us at the Tampa Bay Times,” said Mark Katches, editor and vice president. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› As tourism surges in Florida, a CEO spotlights career pathways for students — starting at UF
Florida welcomed a record 143.3 million visitors to its beaches, theme parks and influencer-inspired destinations last year, reinforcing tourism as one of the state’s largest economic drivers. For every dollar spent by a visitor, 99 cents stays in Florida’s economy, with 59 cents going toward wages. Knowing this, UF students are eying tourism-based careers, gaining insights from industry CEOs during National Travel and Tourism Week from May 3 to 9.
› Palm Beach School Board approves 3.5% teacher raises, siding with union
Palm Beach County teachers will get a 3.5% raise, after School Board members sided with the teacher’s union and rejected a smaller increase proposed by their superintendent. The 6-1 decision was made during a Wednesday afternoon impasse hearing, which was held because Superintendent Mike Burke rejected the 3.5% recommendation from a magistrate appointed to hear the labor dispute. The district and the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association had been at impasse since November.
› Science research building at Florida college likely total loss in fire
A science and research building on the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg campus is likely a total loss because of a fire. The Marine Science Laboratory (MSL) building was engulfed in flames during a storm the evening of Saturday, May 2. About 200 firefighters and more than 60 units responded. No one was injured, however, the building might be completely destroyed, according to USF President Moez Limayem.
› Florida Poly reaches student housing capacity as growth continues
Florida Polytechnic University’s campus housing has reached maximum capacity for the upcoming school year, the university announced. The exhaustion of housing options signals the school’s continued demand and student interest. Students looking for housing are being placed on a housing waitlist while the University evaluates immediate and long-term solutions to support its rapid growth. The housing capacity issue comes as Florida Poly has seen a 39% increase in student net deposits, which secure students’ place in the university, compared to this time last year.