Florida college enrollment won’t hit pre-pandemic level within next 6 years

Florida’s college enrollment levels are down 4.5% since August 2022. After hitting a peak of more than 19,500 students enrolled in the Florida College System in the 2020-2021 school year, new state estimates show the state won’t return to pre-pandemic levels for at least the next six years. While overall college enrollment in state schools is down in Florida, when it comes to what students are working to learn, one section had a bigger decrease than any other. [Source: WFLA]

Why is diversity the hot issue in Florida higher education?

Less than three years ago, Florida’s higher education leaders went all in to address racial and ethnic inequalities. With protesters still marching over the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Board of Governors formed a committee to ramp up diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the state’s 12 public universities. In recent weeks, Florida has witnessed a striking reversal as Gov. Ron DeSantis has targeted university diversity programs. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Pickleball is growing on Florida’s college campuses

Pickleball is on the rise, and the addicting sport has made its way onto college campuses throughout the state. A sport that was originally made popular by a “senior” aged crowd, is now played and enjoyed by college students. Promoting the perfect balance of a social interaction and competitive spirit, it’s no surprise pickleball is such a massive favorite on college campuses statewide. [Source: WUFT]

Gov. DeSantis floats ‘open market’ competing with College Board’s Advanced Placement offerings

Gov. Ron DeSantis toned down his criticism of the College Board’s Advanced Placement courses during a news conference Monday in Orlando. His recent suggestion that Florida high school students could look elsewhere for accelerated courses has fallen short with many of the state’s teens and their parents, who have long relied on AP to generate college credits and help them gain admission into universities. This time out, DeSantis spoke more about creating an “open market.” More from the Tampa Bay Times and Florida Politics]

Could universal school choice legislation hurt Florida's public schools?

The Florida Legislative Session starts next week and one of the biggest topics expected on the floor is the concept of universal school choice. Both the House and Senate have proposed bills that would greatly expand the voucher program to help any student attend private school, regardless of income or ability. But the measures are facing strong criticism from Democrats and watchdog groups who said the potential price tag could crush public education. [Source: WPTV]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› New College board takes aim at 'DEI' [News Service of Florida]
A revamped New College of Florida Board of Trustees, dominated by conservative allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis, took aim Tuesday at issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion — including deciding to eliminate the school’s Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence. Tuesday’s meeting also was the first for Interim President Richard Corcoran, a Republican former House speaker and state education commissioner who was appointed after trustees ousted former President Patricia Okker last month.

› Mysteries of the Earth: FSU researchers predict how fast ancient magma ocean solidified [FSU News]
Early in the formation of Earth, an ocean of magma covered the planet’s surface and stretched thousands of miles deep into its core. The rate at which that “magma ocean” cooled affected the formation of the distinct layering within the Earth and the chemical makeup of those layers. Previous research estimated that it took hundreds of million years for that magma ocean to solidify, but new research from Florida State University published in Nature Communications narrows these large uncertainties down to less than just a couple of million years.

› UF says its campus deal for downtown West Palm is on hold [Gainesville Sun]
The University of Florida has “paused” its plans for a graduate program in downtown West Palm Beach saying it will look at other options after a disagreement over naming rights for the proposed 12-acre campus. The announcement, made in a statement Tuesday, notes “regrettable divisions in the local community” as the reason for pursuing other options.

› IT hiring firm pays for computer magnet school Andrew Jackson High to open 'tech lab' [Florida Times-Union]
Andrew Jackson High School has classwork on cybersecurity and video-game design. But fitting 21st-century technology lessons into daily life can be tricky at an aged school in a low-income Northside Jacksonville neighborhood. The challenge got a little easier Friday, when the school formally opened a “tech lab” where students can work on projects outside of class and information technology professionals will conduct workshops and talk with teens about how they do their jobs.