Florida university system’s board to vote on creation of accrediting agency

The State University System of Florida’s governing board plans to vote Friday to approve the creation of the Commission for Public Higher Education, a new accreditor formed by the state university system and five other Southern public higher education networks. CPHE hopes to begin accrediting six institutions by June 2026 and to become recognized by the U.S. Department of Education by June 2028. Accreditors must operate for two years before the Education Department will recognize them. More from Higher Ed Dive and Central Florida Public Media.

Florida Trend Exclusive
Call to the Bar

Roughly 3,000 would-be barristers will descend on the Tampa Convention Center on July 29-30 for the Florida Bar Exam. With a few exceptions, Tampa has hosted the exam, held each February and July, for more than three decades, says Michele Gavagni, executive director of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. It is considered centrally located in the state for test-takers, and convention center staffers have become adept at providing an efficient and secure environment. [Source: Florida Trend]

Report Card: The best and worst-rated school districts in Florida

The governor declared on Monday that Florida had 6 percent more A-rated schools under its own standards. According to Florida’s 2024–2025 school grades, 28 out of the state’s 67 districts are A districts, 31 are B districts, eight are C districts, and none are D or F districts. Assessment results in math, science, reading, and social studies, graduation rates, “maintaining a focus on students who need the most support,” and other factors are used by the state to determine the scores. [Source: Florida Insider]

Does University of Florida have a permanent ‘interim’ leadership problem?

For several years, Florida’s flagship university has faced top-level turbulence — from Ben Sasse’s short and controversial presidency, to a brief return of longtime leader Kent Fuchs, and most recently, a failed bid to appoint Santa J. Ono, the former president of the University of Michigan. That volatility has rippled through the institution, affecting leadership at every level. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida graduates face fourth-highest student debt in the nation, study finds

The average Florida borrower owes $39,574, which is more than $3,000 higher than the national average. The Sunshine State has more than 2.7 million student loan borrowers, representing about 10% of the population. Together, they owe a staggering $108.1 billion in student loans. Maryland, Georgia and Virginia topped the list ahead of Florida, while Wyoming and North Dakota had the lowest student loan debt in the country. [Source: WFTX]

Florida Trend Mention

Nominate a Trailblazing Woman in Law | Deadline: July 18, 2025

Florida Trend’s Legal Elite: Notable Women Leaders in Law honors trailblazing female attorneys who lead with impact—in the courtroom, boardroom and community. Nominees must be Florida-based, in good standing with the Florida Bar, have 15+ years of legal experience and practice at a law firm with 10+ staff. Candidates must be firm-nominated by senior management. Don't delay. Nominate today!

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› A trio of new rules are in the works for Florida public schools [Florida Phoenix]
The Florida Department of Education has begun writing regulations to implement some of the education-related bills lawmakers approved this spring, including the training teachers must have to respond to children experiencing allergic reactions. The Department of Education held three brief public meetings on the proposed regulations Tuesday, the first step in the rulemaking process. Ultimately, the state Board of Education must approve the rules following a mandatory public-comment period.

› North Florida College launching new bachelor's degree, scholarship this fall [WTXL]
North Florida College is celebrating the launch of a new bachelor's degree program by covering tuition fees for 20 eligible students. Classes for NFC's Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management program will begin this fall. The program is meant to help students find management jobs in government, healthcare, and business.

› Full Sail’s first on-campus housing to break ground this fall [Orlando Sentinel]
Full Sail University plans to break ground later this year on its first student housing project across the street from campus in Winter Park. Ian McCook, President of Maitland-based Nvision Development, confirmed that the developer has applied for all building permits and anticipates starting construction this fall. The first phase is planned for 580 beds, but two additional, already approved phases eventually could push the total past 2,000.

› At Pinellas schools’ first welding camp, sparks of creativity fly [Tampa Bay Times]
Dan Jantac spends most of his summers at his grandfather’s citrus farm in Brazil. He learned the basics of plumbing, welding, woodworking and how to make yard decorations out of PVC pipe. His grandfather has every tool you can imagine, Jantac said. Although Jantac’s interest in skilled trades started in Brazil, his fascination grew in East Lake High School’s engineering classroom because of his favorite teacher, Ryan Green.

UF expert warns summer slide leads to 20% drop in children’s literacy skills