Florida's 2023 Legislative Session begins with lawmakers emphasizing education changes

| 3/9/2023

Florida’s 2023 Legislative Session begins with lawmakers emphasizing education changes

From bills dealing with issues on immigration to abortion, the one thing lawmakers agree on is education changes. Bobby Payne (R) is the Florida Representative for District 20. One of the things he’s looking to push for — like his colleagues — is better access to education for families across the state. However, Republican legislators are also working to squeeze in other proposals within the reform, such as limiting teachings of diversity, equity, inclusion and critical race theory in public schools. More from WUFT and the Florida Phoenix.

See also:
» Students organize protests against Florida governor’s proposed changes to education diversity programs
» As DeSantis reshapes education in Florida, school districts struggle to find new leaders
» Florida faculty worry about bill that would ban certain majors

Ban on 'political loyalty' tests in Florida schools, universities moves in the House

A proposal that seeks to prevent Florida colleges and universities from requiring people to complete “political loyalty” tests began moving in the state House, as the bill’s sponsor pointed to what he called a “monoculture” on campuses. The House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee advanced the measure (HB 931) in a 12-5 vote along party lines on the opening day of the 2023 legislative session. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida parents weigh in on how a universal school choice plan will impact them

Florida lawmakers have proposed bills to remove income caps from the state’s school voucher programs. That would make every school-aged child in the state eligible for a private school scholarship or to get funding for other education-related expenses. Parents are split on how the plan will benefit as well as affect their child’s education. [Source: WFSU]

Florida DOE announces first of its kind apprenticeship program for the blind

The Florida Department of Education Division of Blind Services announced the first in the nation job apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program was implemented to create employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals, training them to enhance website accessibility for internet users for all disabilities. [Source: WFTV]

Florida teacher’s unions meet to discuss future of state education system

Union leaders with the United Faculty of Florida and Florida Education Association met online today to prepare for the legislative session. Officials say their focus is to protect the state’s public education system from pre-k through graduate school. Bills filed in Tallahassee would expand the recently passed, ‘Parental Rights in Education Act’. Union members say the act is an attack on academic freedom, tenure, and freedom of speech. More from WCJB and Florida Politics.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› House panel backs school board changes [News Service of Florida]
A House panel Wednesday moved forward with two proposals that would revamp county school-board elections. The House Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee approved a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 31), sponsored by Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, and Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, that seeks to switch to partisan school-board elections. Voters in 1998 changed the state Constitution to require non-partisan school board elections.

› Pickleball is growing on Florida’s college campuses [WUSF]
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.

› University of Florida scientists aim for more tree varieties [Florida Weekly]
If you plant a wider array of tree species in urban areas, you might avoid your forest being wiped out by a single pest or disease, say University of Florida scientists. “When cities are dominated by only a few species, new infestations of pests and diseases from overseas can just move through with dramatic results,” said Andrew Koeser, a UF/IFAS associate professor of environmental horticulture. A diverse canopy is important everywhere, but particularly in Florida, where about 90% of the state’s 21.7 million residents live in cities.

› Pinellas will reconsider its ban of ‘The Bluest Eye’ in schools — but not now [Tampa Bay Times]
Confronted by complaints over the removal of Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” Pinellas County school district officials said they will give the book another look. But not right away. Instead, the district administration will ask a committee of media specialists to determine whether the novel is appropriate for high schools during a review of all books questioned throughout the school year.

Tags: Education eNews

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