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Florida candidates for governor differ widely on education

Florida candidates for governor differ widely on education

Clashing on everything from private school vouchers to education spending, Florida's two main contenders for governor have laid out vastly different promises when it comes to the state's schools. Florida's schools are facing a teacher shortage, fights over funding and questions over security since the Parkland shooting this year. More from the AP, the Tampa Bay Times, WFTV, and the Daily Commercial.

Compare for yourself each candidate's policy statement on education:
» Andrew Gillum's platform on education
»
Ron DeSantis' platform on education
See also:
» Education board backs $673 million boost for Florida schools

Florida bar exam pass rate plummets again

The number of first-time Florida bar exam takers who pass has slipped 4 percent from last year, to 67.2 percent from 71.3 percent, according to the state’s Board of Bar Examiners. Results for the July 24-25 examination were released Monday. Overall, 3,249 people sat for the bar exam, of which 2,228 were taking it for the first time. See the results by law school, here. Also read more at Florida Politics.

See also:
» FIU Continues to lead the way in Bar esam pass rates
» UF law school bar pass rates dip again

Pasco-Hernando State College leader Robert Judson dies at age 77

Robert Judson, who spent a decade as a community college president, died Monday afternoon. He was 77. In 1994 Judson took the helm at Pasco-Hernando State College, then called Pasco-Hernando Community College. He became the college’s second president and, in doing so, also became the first black community college president in Florida. More from the Tampa Bay Times and Bay News 9.

New report questions growth of charter schools in Florida

A new report from nonpartisan watchdog organization Integrity Florida indicates that charter schools have largely not offered the innovative education they were intended to create and almost 400 have closed in the last 20 years, all while the number of students enrolled in charter schools in the state continues to increase. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Orlando Sentinel, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida students can earn a 4-year prepaid scholarship

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and three Florida students will have the opportunity to earn a 4-year Florida prepaid scholarship. Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott have invited all Florida students to participate in the annual Hispanic Heritage Month art and essay contests. [Source: WEAR]

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› House to investigate UCF building project
The Florida House will investigate the misuse of $38 million in state funding for a building project at the University of Central Florida, House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Friday. In a letter to UCF President Dale Whittaker, Corcoran said he has named incoming House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, to lead the investigation.

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The Broward County School Board knows it has an image problem, but it’s not yet ready to spend money to beef up the public relations staff. The School Board rejected a request Tuesday to add several new employees to the public relations office.