Florida school districts could see 25% cut in state funding

The coronavirus pandemic could result in cuts of up to 25% in state funding to public schools, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie predicted Tuesday. Runcie also said South Florida school districts could be “among the last set of schools to come online when the state decides to reopen schools,” given that the region is a hot spot for coronavirus cases. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

College students are weary of online classes, but colleges can't say whether they'll open in fall 2020

College students threatened to revolt if universities put another semester of classes online to avoid spreading the coronavirus – but that's increasingly what campus leaders are considering doing. For Ryan Sessoms, a marketing student at the University of North Florida, the transition to online classes has been rocky. The thought of paying the same amount of tuition for another semester of lackluster classes is a nonstarter. [Source: USA Today]

Florida Association of Colleges and Employers to hold virtual career fair

Looking for a job is a job in itself. With 650,000 unemployment claims across the state of Florida, upcoming college graduates are swimming in uncharted territory. The class of 2020 is entering the worst hiring season since the 2008 financial crisis. They’ve seen internships canceled and in-person interviews postponed. [Source: WTXL]

Schools are closed for the rest of the year. Here are answers to your questions.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced over the weekend schools would remain closed for the remainder of the academic year, leaving parents with a number of questions. School officials will try to answer those questions in the coming weeks and will disseminate information through regular district channels and through social media as they get them. [Source: Florida Today]

Florida Department of Education increases access to child care services for first responders and health care workers

The Florida Department of Education says it is increasing access to its child care services for first responders and health care professionals. The department says because of COVID-19, 50% of the state's child care facilities are closed. "Many essential professionals, first responders and health care professionals rely on this care for their children, especially those working extended hours to provide medical care to those in need," the department said in a press release. [Source: WCTV]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FAMU students creates, distributes COVID-19 care packages to those in need [WTXL]
Students at Florida A & M University are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic, creating and distributing kits with essential items to people in need in the Capital City. With universities online for the rest of the semester, Ar'monie Mack, a junior at Florida A&M, decided to use her down time to give people in need essential items to fight COVID-19.

› UF online tutoring and curriculum goes free [WCJB]
With Math Nation -- also referred to by its original name, Algebra Nation-- students can learn through interactive, customized, and standard-aligned lessons. The program is used by teachers and students across the country. You can find customized lessons and curriculums based on your state's standards.

› Pasco-Hernando college trustees to ease public comment restrictions [Tampa Bay Times]
For years, the Pasco-Hernando State College board of trustees would listen to public comment only if the speaker won approval days in advance from the school’s president. That was the board’s policy, despite state law guaranteeing Floridians the right to address public government bodies on items up for a vote.

› Florida lent laptops to thousands of students. Do they know how to use them? [Tampa Bay Times]
Schools spent a fortune on laptop computers in the early weeks of the COVID-19 shutdown, hoping to level the playing field for home learning. But teachers say the strategy has revealed something surprising: Students of all ages, including those in elite high school programs, are struggling with simple tasks like uploading a photo or creating a Word document.