Lawmakers still divided over education spending
Budget negotiations over education funding kicked off Tuesday, but the House and Senate remain at odds over major issues, including funding for universities and K-12 schools. The House presented an $8.9 billion plan for the state’s 14 public universities, about $106 million short of the Senate’s preferred budget. Much of the difference stems from the approach to funding for preeminent research universities. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida students’ reading skills lag most in nation, study finds
Since the pandemic, scholars have feared students nationwide are experiencing a recession in knowledge, particularly in reading and math skills. And in a national study led by researchers at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth released Wednesday, Florida students are faring worse than learners in other states. Florida ranked 24th in math academic growth among the states in the study, and last in reading between 2022 and 2025. More from the Tampa Bay Timesand WUSF.
Column: Why Florida’s dual enrollment model is winning — and what’s next
Florida’s dual enrollment program is one of our state’s education success stories. For decades, it has given high school students the opportunity to become college students earlier, reduce the cost of a degree, gain exposure to rigorous coursework, and get on-the-job experience before stepping into their careers. Today, nearly 100,000 Florida students participate in dual enrollment each year through partnerships with state colleges, universities, and school districts ―with many able to complete the first two years of their degree at no cost. [Source: Florida Today]
FIU researchers test manufactured home against hurricane-force winds
Researchers from Florida International University and other institutions are testing manufactured homes against hurricane-force winds in the hopes of gathering data that could save lives. The testing at FIU's Wall of Wind, the nation's only hurricane research facility capable of reaching 150 mph winds, is taking place throughout May. On Wednesday, NBC6's cameras captured how a manufactured home stacked up against 12 fans with the power to simulate a category 5 hurricane. [Source: NBC Miami]
University of Florida, other institutions receive $4M in Alzheimer’s research funding
Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced a grant of more than $4.2 million for eight institutions to research Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention during a news conference at the University of Florida on Monday. The University of Florida and seven other institutions, all in Florida, will receive the money from the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s grant. Ladapo says the money will fund work on finding a way to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s. [Source: WCJB]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida education chief named sole finalist to lead Polk State College
Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida’s education commissioner, is the sole finalist in Polk State College’s presidential search, the school announced Wednesday. If selected, Kamoutsas would become the latest of many public university and college presidents in Florida with ties to Tallahassee. He has served as commissioner of education since last summer, and was previously the general counsel and chief of staff for the state Department of Education. Kamoutsas also served as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ deputy chief of staff.
› UCF graduates boo ‘tone deaf’ speaker who praised AI as ‘next Industrial Revolution’
A University of Central Florida commencement speaker’s speech praising artificial intelligence was met with thunderous boos from graduates during a ceremony last week, a sign of how some young people dislike the technology’s encroachment into the workforce. Gloria Caulfield, an executive from Tavistock Development Company, spoke to graduates from UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities and School of Communication on May 8. During her speech, Caulfield lauded AI as the “next Industrial Revolution,” setting off a chorus of boos.
› New Pickett Elementary School breaks ground on Jacksonville’s Northside, funded by sales tax dollars
Sales tax dollars approved by Duval County voters are helping shape the future of local education. Crews broke ground this month on a new Pickett Elementary School on Jacksonville’s Northside, launching a nearly $34.9 million construction project off Old Kings Road near Pritchard Road. The new school is expected to open in August 2027 and will bring together students from three existing campuses — Pickett Elementary School, Reynolds Lane Elementary School and S.A. Hull Elementary School — all under one roof.
› Okaloosa County Schools partner with Space Florida to link students to aerospace industry
The Okaloosa County School District and "Space Florida" are teaming up to connect students with careers in the aerospace industry. The school district and Space Florida announced the partnership on Wednesday during the 9th Annual Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering Network (TeCMEN) Industry Day. Starting in the fall, high school students will be able to participate in career tech classes with Space Florida, which is an aerospace finance, development, and spaceport authority that offers an academy program to students.