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Florida Trend Education
A Florida school raised tuition because of vouchers. Will more follow?
A Florida school raised tuition because of vouchers. Will more follow?
Florida lawmakers said the purpose behind their push to make all schoolchildren eligible for state-paid education vouchers was to provide them as many options as possible. They rejected suggestions to prevent schools from making large, budget-boosting tuition increases, saying the state should not control private school operations. Critics predicted that at least some schools would charge more, benefiting families that were paying anyway while possibly charging more than others could afford. It didn’t take long for an example to emerge. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Orlando Sentinel.
Book bans, removals from libraries: Florida Board of Education OKs publishing objection list
The state Board of Education approved a rule that will lead to Florida officials publishing an annual list of library books and instructional materials that have drawn public objections, in a move that the board’s chairman said will “provide transparency for our families.” The rule will carry out part of a controversial 2022 law (HB 1467) that increased scrutiny of school library books and instructional materials. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Do uniforms improve school safety? A Florida district debates the issue.
Five years after the Parkland school shooting massacre, officials are still looking for ways to keep students more safe and secure. In Broward County, where the deadly shooting occurred, School Board members are considering dress code changes. The idea is generating concern among students, though, who question how a uniform could improve safety. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
FAU shutdown case goes to Supreme Court
A lawsuit stemming from the shutdown of Florida Atlantic University’s campus early in the COVID-19 pandemic has gone to the state Supreme Court. An attorney for students filed a notice late Friday that is a first step in asking the Supreme Court to review an April 26 ruling by a panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal. The FAU lawsuit is one of numerous cases filed in Florida and other states alleging that colleges and universities breached contracts during the shutdown and should be required to refund money to students. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida State's College of Business pilot program to offer select classes in virtual reality
A pilot program launching this fall will allow students in the Florida State University College of Business to learn in virtual reality, guiding avatars of themselves in digital replicas of the college’s classrooms and spaces — specifically those of Legacy Hall, its future home. Students will be selected for three courses: undergraduate courses in marketing and accounting and a graduate or undergraduate course in management. [Source: FSU News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› At just 15 years old, this student earned a diploma from Lincoln — and a degree from TCC
For as long as Demetria Coley can remember, school has always been a top priority for her. Growing up, kids her age were busy playing with toys while Demetria could be found reading and playing educational games. Years of dedication to academic excellence helped her make history as she became the youngest student to graduate with an Associate of Arts degree from Tallahassee Community College at 15 years old.
› Florida high school theater teacher to be honored at 76th Annual Tony Awards
A South Florida high school theater teacher will be celebrated on Broadway's biggest night. The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) announced Wednesday that theater director and teacher Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in Plantation will receive the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. "We are thrilled to present the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award to Jason Zembuch Young," said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, in a joint statement.
› Health Care District will cut Palm Beach County school nurses' pay by nearly $4K
Nurses who care for Palm Beach County schoolchildren will soon face pay cuts of nearly $4,000 as their pay structure is overhauled from a 12-month salary system to a 10-month hourly pay scale. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County announced the change in a video call with staff members last week. It says the new pay structure "will allow better coordination and alignment between the public schools’ academic year and schedule and the nursing staff’s workdays."
› Broward School Board postpones vote on clear backpacks after parent cites a state law
A Broward schools clear backpack requirement could be delayed or derailed after a parent found an obscure state law to slow down the plan. The School Board is postponing a vote on requiring clear backpacks for the new school year from June 13 to July 25, after a Plantation parent, Nathalie Lynch-Walsh, asked the board to first hold a workshop. A state statute on policy rulemaking requires the School Board to hold a workshop if requested “by any affected person, unless the agency head explains in writing why a workshop is unnecessary.”
Previous Education Updates:
- FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools
- College crime surging back to pre-COVID levels. Here's the crime at Florida colleges, universities
- Florida student aid requests plunge. How many will delay or skip college?
- Florida schools have a teacher shortage. Why are they cutting jobs?
- Florida schools need more nurses. Can they compete with employers who pay more?
- Florida's MBA programs: Mastering the cyber industry
- Florida settles lawsuit over LGBT education bill
- $117.5 billion state budget pumps up education spending
- Florida lawmakers continue debate over school red tape, education spending and more
