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Florida superintendents warn of school 'catastrophe,' seek federal aid

Florida superintendents warn of school 'catastrophe,’ seek federal aid

Florida’s public schools, and the nation’s, face an “educational catastrophe” if federal aid isn’t pumped into their budgets to offset steep financial losses expected in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, school leaders wrote in a letter to Congress. Public schools need $200 billion in financial aid or could have to layoff 275,000 teachers nationwide, leading to an “educational catastrophe” that “could weaken the country’s economic foundation for years to come,” said the letter released Tuesday from the Council of the Great City Schools. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida universities seek to drop ACT/SAT requirement for 2021 admissions

Florida’s public universities want ACT and SAT scores to be optional for students applying for 2021 admission, if the two national exams do not resume a regular testing schedule in August, according to a letter from admissions directors to the state. The change, if approved, would be temporary but also groundbreaking for Florida’s 12 universities, where minimum scores on the exams are required and high scores are viewed as needed to get into the most-selective state schools. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Teens fret over Bright Futures rules as college deadlines loom

Thousands of families in Florida are left sweating out the choice of whether to make their university deposit, and where, without being able to complete their Bright Futures process. They’ve called lawmakers and state officials, seeking more clarity on whether the state will hold them accountable for the test scores and volunteer hours they haven’t had the chance to improve because of COVID-19. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida Department of Education launches impact survey on coronavirus response

The Florida Department of Education has launched an education impact survey for Florida Educators and parents. It's for them to share their thoughts on the response to the coronavirus crisis from the department, their local school district, and their school, according to the Florida Department of Education. The feedback received will help them keep students safe while also ensuring they continue their education. More from WBBH and WFLX.

This Florida student was accepted at all 8 Ivy League schools

Most high school seniors hope to be accepted by their top two or three choices for college. Craig McFarland, 18, of Jacksonville, Fla., aimed particularly high and wide, and was accepted by all eight Ivy League schools. First came his acceptance to Yale University in December. After that, the other acceptances trickled in: Princeton University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University and Harvard University. He opened them all in a single sitting. [Source: ]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› UCF to lead study exploring social media's impact on consumer behavior when red tide strikes
The University of Central Florida is one of two universities selected to study the social and economic impacts of Florida’s red tide events during 2017-19 that killed fish, stunk up the coastlines and sent tourists packing. Notwithstanding today’s global pandemic, large chunk of Florida’s economy depends on its beaches and waterways. The red tide events, which release toxins killing fish and chasing tourists and residents from the stench, had a negative impact on humans and marine life, and crippled some local economies.

› FSU seniors seeking commitment that they will get to cross the stage
As Florida State University plans an unprecedented “virtual” graduation ceremony next Saturday because of the coronavirus pandemic, a growing number of students – and parents – are urging President John Thrasher to commit to a live ceremony in the future. The movement is playing out on Facebook pages such as “Florida State Parents Class of 2020,” through an online Change.org petition that has generated more than 3,000 names and within a survey sent to FSU student organization leaders.

› How can online learning work if students aren’t online? And what happens if kids don’t participate?
About a month into online learning for K-12 students, not all kids are even going online; school attendance policies are lax to nonexistent and the state hasn’t come up with a way to track student participation for the remote lessons, the Florida Phoenix has found.

› University of Miami students’ departure leaves a gaping hole
Will Sekoff of Book Horizons, a family-owned and managed business operating since 1953, says things haven’t been the same since the University of Miami students left the Coral Gables campus. In an email exchange, he said he’s are hopeful school will be back in the fall. “We miss the students – not just because they are our customers – but the energy and sense of community they bring. It is not the same without them,” he wrote.