Can Florida teachers walk out too? It’s not a good idea, unions say

As thousands of their colleagues in other states are walking out over low pay this week, some Florida teachers are wondering if they should be doing the same. But Florida teachers are being advised by their state teachers union not to conduct walkouts like the ones staged by their peers in Oklahoma and Kentucky. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WTSP.

See also:
» With teacher pay in the news, how much do Florida teachers earn?

Florida Council of 100
How Florida can help adolescents thrive in middle school

The Florida Council of 100's latest report looks at grades 4-8 and makes recommendations aimed at helping students during middle school. "The Horizons 2040 Project: Grades 4-8," focuses on nurturing adolescents’ academic growth, personalizing education, minimizing disruptions and making the school like a second family. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida leads nation in school vouchers, and there are more to come

No state dedicates more money to vouchers than Florida, which is fast approaching $1 billion in tax revenues diverted to vouchers that pay for private school and other private education programs. Florida’s voucher initiatives receive three times more funding than Ohio, the state with the second-largest voucher program at roughly $266 million last year. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

New Florida law eases university tuition penalty

First-time-in-college students who enroll in a Florida university this fall can take a few extra classes and avoid a tuition penalty if they graduate within four years. The law, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday, takes effect with the start of the new academic year July 1. [Source: Jacksonville Business Journal]

School-safety measures will take time, cost a lot, districts say

Florida’s schools districts are already grappling with plenty of demands to make campuses safer. But figuring out what new measures to adopt and how to pay for them will take time, even if these items don’t spark the same political debate as armed educators or an assault-weapons ban. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida International University offers nation's first degree in IoT Management [EdTech]
Starting this spring, Florida International University became the first university in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree that focuses on managing the Internet of Things. The new degree program will teach students about IoT hardware, software, communication and cybersecurity.

› Florida State University's Great Give campaign sets records [Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida State University’s Great Give, FSU’s 36-hour online giving campaign, recorded its most successful campaign to date, raising $413,147 for academic programs, student activities and scholarships. The seventh annual event, which took place March 22-23, drew support from 3,376 donors, including 1,791 Florida State alumni.

› Florida Virtual School data breach impacts Bay students [Panama City News Herald]
According to district officials, a data breach at Florida Virtual School has potentially impacted 1,275 Bay District Schools students. Parents have been informed of the breach, officials say, and the district will be holding a press conference with more information.

› Florida Poly delegates head to Brazil to bolster research partnerships [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Florida Polytechnic University is sending a delegation of professors to Brazil this week to form alliances with the nation’s universities and high-tech companies.