Trump to sign order today to begin dismantling Education Department
President Trump on Thursday will sign an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, according to the White House. The signing has been in the works for weeks and will be marked by an event at the White House in which several Republican governors, including Mr. Trump's former rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, are expected to attend. [Source: CBS News]
Bright Futures could expand to encourage more military families to participate
A program that provides partial and full scholarships for Florida students to attend college in-state could be expanded under a bill moving quickly through the legislature. Traditionally, in order to qualify for a Bright Futures scholarship, students had to earn a high school diploma from a public or private school in Florida, or complete homeschooling in the state. [Source: WUSF]
Lawmakers seek ‘transparency’ in higher ed searches
With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure. The bill (HB 1321), unanimously approved by the House Education Administration Subcommittee, also would make a series of other changes about leadership of the higher-education system, including creating term limits for members of the university system’s Board of Governors and university and college boards of trustees. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Religious vaccine exemptions on the rise in South Florida schools
A growing number of Floridians are choosing not to vaccinate their children, as parts of the country are currently battling measles outbreaks. At least one measles case has been reported in South Florida. While most students are vaccinated in Broward and Miami-Dade schools, the number of students with religious exemptions to vaccine requirements has gone up in both counties in recent years, according to data obtained by NBC6 Investigates. [Source: NBC Miami]
Life skills education bill clears first committee
The House Careers and Workforce Subcommittee advanced an education bill Wednesday that would implement curriculum teaching Florida students skills they can use in everyday life. Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés introduced the measure (HB 1261) and said the idea came from students in her district. [Source: Florida Politics]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida education bill would remove requirement to pass Algebra I, English exams to earn high school diploma
A new bill under consideration by Florida lawmakers proposes significant changes to the educational requirements for students in public schools.
› Department of Education layoffs could hurt Florida students, union leader says
Nearly half of the U.S. Department of Education’s workforce was pink slipped this week.
› Should Florida put school board term limits in the state constitution?
Three years ago, Florida lawmakers set 12-year term limits for school board members.
A year later, they sliced the length to eight years.
This year, the press is on to commemorate in the state constitution the rule the Legislature implemented through law.
› Florida Department of Corrections offers new teachers incentives
The department is looking to hire teachers aides, career and technical education teachers, adult education teachers, and special ed teachers.