Undocumented students may no longer be welcome in Florida colleges, adult education
For undocumented immigrants trying to learn English, earn a high school-equivalency diploma or take the first step toward college, Florida is proposing changes to its education rules that critics say will turn classrooms into another immigration checkpoint The Florida Department of Education wants students to prove they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the country before enrolling in Adult General Education programs or being admitted to any of the state’s 28 public colleges. [Source: Miami Herald]
See also:
» How big is Florida’s international student population? A breakdown
Florida schools directed to add AI to internet safety policies
The Florida Department of Education is directing school districts to add artificial intelligence use to their internet safety policies. All districts already have an “Internet Safety” policy in place, and now the DOE is requiring districts to amend the policy to include AI. The rule development workshop will be held June 22. The Legislature failed to pass a measure imposing restrictions and requirements on AI companies this year, even though it was one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida school grades are due soon. Are they fair?
As the Florida Department of Education prepares to issue 2026 school grades, a right-leaning political group best known for pushing to remove books from libraries is arguing the grades are not dependable. Florida Citizens Alliance, a Naples-based organization that has been connected to Gov. Ron DeSantis, is reviving a 2025 initiative to overhaul the grading system to make it look more like students’ report cards. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
As lawmakers push for lower property taxes, many school districts are shoving in the other direction
Fewer students, decreased funding, changes caused by school choice efforts—traditional public schools, especially in Florida, are going through tough times. According to former teacher/school superintendent/county commissioner/state lawmaker and now head of the Florida School Superintendents Association Bill Montford, the big bugaboo is inflation's impact on school funding. [Source: WFSU]
Florida AG Uthmeier warns schools to respect students’ religious rights
Florida’s attorney general issued an opinion this week reiterating the state’s stance that students should be allowed to be released from public school for religious education. In a letter to state Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), a staunch proponent of the issue, James Uthmeier wrote that Florida law “prohibits public schools from restricting parents’ efforts to direct the religious upbringing of their children...” [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› UF trustees approve Stuart Bell as 14th president
The University of Florida Board of Trustees on Wednesday unanimously approved Stuart Bell as the university’s 14th president. Wednesday’s vote ushers in a renewed focus on athletics and classical education at the state’s flagship school, while continuing to move away from diversity initiatives that have fallen out of favor with the state’s conservative leaders. Rahul Patel, the board vice chairperson, said Bell transformed the University of Alabama, which he led for a decade before stepping down.
› Broward teachers get no new raises and must pay for insurance amid budget strains
Broward County Public School teachers will not receive raises this year from the school district and will have to start paying for certain health insurance plans, according to the new contract between the teachers union and the school district approved at Tuesday’s meeting. Board members said they regretted not securing raises for teachers and blamed a lack of state funding and the school district’s dire financial situation. School board members said teachers will receive a minimum 4 percent raise next year, which amounts to about $60 million.
› Central Florida program expands to help kids prepare for kindergarten
A Central Florida program that aims to help more kids get set for kindergarten is expanding. WUCF, the region’s PBS affiliate, is bringing its “On My Way to K” initiative to more stops with a summer tour aimed at making kindergarten preparation more accessible. Beginning this week, the tour will make stops in libraries across nine counties in Central Florida, providing kids and families with free hands-on activities and take-home educational resources.
› St. Petersburg Sen. Rouson taking job at New College of Florida
Longtime St. Petersburg legislator Darryl Rouson is being hired by New College of Florida as its presidential scholar and professor of trial litigation, the school announced Tuesday. Rouson will teach courses on trial advocacy and leadership in public life, the Sarasota college said, starting this fall.