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Florida universities getting fewer applications for 2021

Florida universities getting fewer applications for 2021

Fewer high school seniors are applying to Florida’s universities this fall, and admissions officers say the cancellation of SAT sessions and college information nights, along with other disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, are likely to blame. Florida is the only state in the country where colleges still require traditional incoming freshmen to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission. The others have adopted test-optional policies for their universities this year because the pandemic has led to the cancellation of many testing sessions, limiting the ability of high school students to sit for the exams. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» Enrollment is dropping in public schools in Florida and around the country

 

Appellate court upholds Florida’s school reopening order

A Florida appellate court has sided with the state in the lawsuit aimed at overturning the requirement for schools to reopen in-class learning. The Florida Education Association attempted to block the Department of Education’s reopening order, which required schools to provide in-class learning or risk receive less funding. “It wasn’t about closing schools, keeping schools closed," FEA President Andrew Spar said. “It was about local control.” [Source: WJXT]

Survey: Black and Hispanic Floridians say a college degree is key for workforce success

The vast majority of Hispanic and Black voters believe a bachelor’s degree is key to success, according to a new survey released by the Helios Education Foundation and the Florida College Access Network. The survey, conducted by Sachs Media Group, found two-thirds of Hispanic and 58% of Black Floridians say post-high school education is a requirement for economic prosperity. Half of White Floridians feel the same. [Source: Florida Politics]

Will Florida continue online classes next semester? Parents seek answers.

School districts across Florida won state permission to get full funding for the online model for the first semester only, and have no guarantees that they can afford to continue it past winter break. It would take action by the Florida Department of Education to keep the financial supports in place, something it has yet to renew. Parents across the state are watching closely. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Hundreds of Florida college students have tested positive for COVID-19

According to the Florida Department of Health, nearly 3,000 students and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus at 133 institutions across the state as of Oct. 3. But the state’s data is limited and only shows cases dating back to early September. Many schools have been tracking cases for months and they have since reported hundreds of additional cases. Each school has its own rules when it comes to testing and reporting this data. Some universities say they update their numbers weekly while others do it daily. [Source: ]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› SPC joins new statewide workforce initiative to boost technical jobs
St. Petersburg College has been tapped to join 27 other state colleges in a new initiative aimed at raising awareness of short-term career and technical education programs. The Florida Department of Education has launched its "Get There Florida" program, which highlights the benefits of the short-term education and technical college programs throughout the state.

› Palm Beach Education Foundation awards $116K in teacher grants
Continuing its tradition of supporting teachers, the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County recently awarded $116,000 in GoTeach! Classroom grants. On Oct. 8, the foundation’s president and CEO James Gavrilos presented 73 individual grants to Palm Beach County teachers and schools through its virtual ceremony. Annually, the Education Foundation distributes individual grants up to $1,000 for an individual teacher as well as $1,500 for a team effort.

› Pandemic leads to bigger enrollment at DeSoto's South Florida State College
Health risks of the coronavirus have led students from DeSoto and other nearby counties to opt for online courses from South Florida State College campuses this fall instead of attending universities. The result: Student numbers at the Arcadia school and the college’s three other campuses exceed last year’s COVID-free fall term, DeSoto campus director Asena Mott said.

› USF consolidation is hurting St. Petersburg campus, Pinellas leaders say
Tensions are flaring up again over the University of South Florida’s consolidation efforts, with renewed criticism that school officials are eroding the status of the St. Petersburg campus. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has complained in recent days of declining enrollment, a lack of access for minority students, efforts to undermine the campus’ independence through the budget process, even the school’s new name.