Florida special education advocates worry lawsuit could gut protections
Earlier this month, Florida joined 16 other states in a federal lawsuit targeting protections for disabled people, asking that the court declare the protections unconstitutional. The lawsuit targets Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which codified the civil rights of disabled people by laying out that disabled people can't be discriminated against in any program or activity that receives federal funding based simply on their disability. More from Florida Today and the Tampa Bay Times.
DeSantis moves to create Florida’s own DOGE to target college spending
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a state-level version of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency that would, among other things, scrutinize spending, staff and curriculum at Florida colleges and universities. The order directs Florida DOGE to work with state education officials to “eliminate unnecessary spending, programs, courses, staff, and any other inefficiencies within the State University System and the Florida College System.” The systems oversee 12 universities and 28 colleges, respectively. More from Higher Ed Dive, the Tampa Bay Times and Ccentral Florida Public Media.
Florida Lottery surpasses $48B in contributions to state education
The Florida Lottery is celebrating a milestone this week, announcing they surpassed $48 billion in contributions to the state’s education fund, generated from lottery sales. Since 1988, the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund has supported educational opportunities, enhanced student success, and strengthened Florida’s workforce. Just shy of $50 billion, the revenue has allowed the program to provide access to higher education and academic and financial support for those attending any Florida college. [Source: WFLA]
New bill targets chronic absenteeism in Florida schools with strict reporting guidelines
The proposal states if a student is absent 10% of the time within the first nine weeks of the school year, regardless if the absence is excused or unexcused, the primary teacher must report it. The language in the bill also requires the Florida Board of Education to create guidelines for school districts to follow when it creates policies for dealing with student absences. The bill is expected to go into effect on July 1, 2025. [Source: WPEC]
Florida school employees’ retirement accounts drained of $1M in fraud scheme, feds say
Five Florida residents worked together to steal more than a million dollars from the retirement accounts of school district employees in the Sunshine State, federal prosecutors said. One of the individuals involved worked for the company that oversaw their 401(k) accounts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› New high school in Orange County will open doors in more ways than one
It’s a different approach to education, combining classes with work experience, and it’s the focal point of a new school in Central Florida. College prep high school Cristo Rey, located off Rio Grande Avenue in Orlando, is in the process of hiring teachers and recruiting students for its inaugural freshman class. Per the school, roughly 70% of staff has been hired and 150 student applications turned in ahead of the fall.
› Florida Poly designated Fulbright Top Producing Institution
Florida Polytechnic University has been designated a Fulbright Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State for its commitment to global academic excellence. It’s a top honor, with just 130 of the nation’s four-year institutions — representing just 5% of such schools — earning the designation. The honor recognizes colleges and universities with the highest number of candidates selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. student and scholar program.
› USF outlines plans for upcoming presidential search
The University of South Florida outlined the first details Thursday of its search for a new president, following President Rhea Law’s retirement announcement this week. USF Board of Trustees vice chairperson Mike Griffin will serve as chair of the 15-person search committee, which includes members of the USF faculty and administration, student and alumni representatives and Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris.
› Jacksonville University delivers VR anatomy lesson to Atlantic Coast High School students
Atlantic Coast High School students had a chance Monday to look closely inside the human heart, brain, lungs, liver, colon and other places where a strong stomach is usually required. They did that without even having to wash their hands, thanks to a one-day loan of virtual reality equipment that’s changing instruction for a new generation of healthcare professionals.